Baker Mayfield Says He Doesn’t Need Preseason

August 7th, 2025

“Just dial it up for Kyle, Grizz.”

So when Baker Mayfield recently joined the Kelce bros on their popular New Heights podcast, he referenced a memorable moment in his career.

Mayfield said it was an eye-opener, and a bit of a rib-splitter.

Legendary Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox drilled Mayfield in a preseason game, and Mayfield said it was a welcome-to-the-NFL moment. Mayfield also said he didn’t understand why Cox was even playing in a preseason game.

Joe concurs. Why risk injury to an established starter? It’s almost foolish.

So Joe asked Mayfield today if he needs preseason action to be ready for the season.

“I could go without it, but I also love football,” Mayfield replied, adding he enjoys getting the gameday juices flowing. “The adrenaline before gametime for the first time in months is always a good feeling.”

Mayfield will play this preseason — in one game. Todd Bowles said that on FanDuel TV yesterday.

When Mayfield does play in Preseason Week 2 or 3, he’ll have a concise focus. “A drive or two, getting in and getting out … looking for penalty-free, mental-error-free ball,” Mayfield said.

23 Responses to “Baker Mayfield Says He Doesn’t Need Preseason”

  1. LetsBucs Says:

    To play or not play your starters in the off-season is the kind of debate that rages on and on.

    Personally, I doubt it matters. I’m perfectly fine with the 1-2 drives thing we’ve done the past couple years.

  2. Buc1987 Says:

    There you have it…limited duty for Baker during preseason.

  3. Obvious Says:

    One drive if it goes well, two if there’s any issues with the first. No more than two and hopefully only one.

  4. Just Visiting Says:

    Amen to “penalty-free, mental-error-free ball.”

  5. LakelandBuc Says:

    Why play your starters in any game that don’t count?

    Play your “Bubble” players, sit the others

  6. ballwasher61 Says:

    1 drive to start the game, 1 coming out in the 2nd half.

  7. SlyPirate Says:

    I wouldn’t play any of these guys more than one quarter in one game. They are too injury prone and/or too important.

    Baker, Evans, Bucky, LVD, VV, CK, Dean, AWJ

  8. JD Still Says:

    Yeah , he doesn’t need the practice, last scrimmage , two interceptions, three more that were dropped by the defense, mid-season form already.

  9. Fred McNeil Says:

    Maybe Baker doesn’t need preseason. Maybe just a little. Certainly not much. Evans, David, Via?Probably Dennis, not at all. Starters? Very little.

  10. JD Still Says:

    Ever heard of a boxer not sparring before a fight ?

  11. Fred McNeil Says:

    @JD, Baker needs practice, but not preseason games. Let Trask and Ballzac play. Is Pratt looking like he might be back? Oh, yeah, we just got Bridgewater. I think he must be old by now, but play him some anyway. I’m gonna go look at Bridgewater in a sec.

  12. Fred McNeil Says:

    Looks like he’s 32.

  13. MelvinJunior Says:

    Why would he. No other level of football feels the need (or is forced) to have to play THREE full length, ‘real’ preseason football games. It’s ridiculous. They need to just go ahead with that 18th regular season game, & get their money. Then, just have a few live scrimmages with a couple of their ‘nearest’ non conference/non divisional teams in the area, and be done with it. Looks like the Chargers might have just lost Slater for AWHILE… Potentially, for the season.

  14. Fred McNeil Says:

    @JD, boxing and football aren’t really comparable.

  15. Kenton Smith Says:

    Fred, how would JD know that? All he knows is it makes him feel like a man when he can troll Mayfield.

  16. Oneilbuc Says:

    I don’t want to hear no excuses once the season starts about Baker Mayfield being a little rusty.

  17. Kenton Smith Says:

    Oneilbuc. The excuses for Baker being “rusty” opening day will be the news! You, Oneilbuc, are ……. wish Grizz and his “potty mouth” were here to finish that sentence.

  18. Rod Munch Says:

    Baker playing only a couple of series worked out well last year – plus gave Trask a chance to get more snaps in games, even preseason games, is big if we are ever forced to use him.

  19. JD Still Says:

    Oh Kenton , I’ve seen both football and boxing on tv once ! Or did I say something forbidden to be said about your Bestie? My bad, Bless your little heart.

  20. Since76 Says:

    You’re right Fred but JD’s point still valid. Need to just play 18 that matter!

  21. Shane Callahan Says:

    JD… Ugh. I thought Baker trolling was done.

  22. Marky mark Says:

    In a weak division you can be rusty. Notice Burrows played last nite after slow starts in a tuff division

  23. Marky mark Says:

    Onielbuc Shadeur Sanders will be cut by the Browns. Just like u said about Deshaun Watson and Justin Fields he is waaaay better than Baker Bustfield. Pick him up.

 

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