Baker Mayfield’s Achilles’ Heel
August 28th, 2025
Biggest weakness.
Don’t worry, folks. Baker Mayfield is perfectly healthy.
However, he, like most quarterbacks, does fall victim to a specific form of kryptonite. And that would be pressure from the edge.
But this is what Joe calls a good problem.
Per John Kosco of the PFF tribe, if defenses are going to get to Mayfield, the best way is to force him to step up in the pocket.
We’re at a point in Mayfield’s career where it is difficult to pinpoint a specific weakness in his profile. While he doesn’t [project] as an elite passer, he’s above average to good in several areas. Where he was forced to move up in the pocket in 2024, though, he … failed to make a big-time throw on 61 dropbacks.
Why does Joe refer to this as a good problem? Look at who protects Mayfield’s edges. One guy is an All-Pro at left tackle and may be the best pass-blocking offensive lineman in the league, Tristan Wirfs. The other guy is likely a top-five right tackle, maybe a top-two or -three, Luke Goedeke.
So between Goedeke and Wirfs, Mayfield doesn’t have a lot of snaps where he must step up into the pocket due to an outside rush.
August 28th, 2025 at 2:07 pm
Who edits these articles? Lol.
The word should be ‘instances’ not options.
Amateurish lately
August 28th, 2025 at 2:14 pm
The pass blocking last year wasn’t as great as advertised. Mayfield got sacked a lot and ended up scrambling more than any team would want. There are a number of other factors that may be involved including receivers not getting open, Mayfield reluctance to give up on a play, and a reluctance to just throw the ball away. Hopefully, the offense will improve in all these areas this year. We all would feel better if TW was a go on opening day.
August 28th, 2025 at 2:19 pm
Can we not put Baker Mayfield and Achilles in the same headline?
August 28th, 2025 at 2:27 pm
With the Bucs history of QBs I’ll take above average all day every day! I don’t have a problem with fans here that constantly criticize, because after all he did follow up Brady. If you’re a long time fan there is a great appreciation for Mayfield and his scrappy demeanor.
August 28th, 2025 at 2:33 pm
Gipper
From my recollection, Baker was top 5 in how fast he got the ball out of his hands. Part of that was Coens scheme of short/intermediate throws. If he did get sacked a lot, as you noted (where’s the stats?), then I’d bet a lot of it was Mayfield extending plays. That isn’t a fault of the OL and certainly a good characteristic for Baker to possess.
Baker Rulez! Go Bucs!
August 28th, 2025 at 2:38 pm
Well, given that the crack medical staff decided it would be great to operate on Wirfs in July instead of February, expect the saloon door at LT and no time to throw for Baker, up in the pocket, out of the pocket or anywhere.
August 28th, 2025 at 2:40 pm
We need a mix of Dave Canales Baker Mayfield and Liam Coen Baker. Grizzard wants to push the ball down field more but I think that is just going to make Baker antsy in the pocket. Hopefully we play with a lot of short passes for YAC, and run plays until Wirfs is back.
August 28th, 2025 at 2:42 pm
Baker escaped many more sacks that would’ve been credited to this offensive line last season. Let’s hope that won’t be something he has to do consistently this year.
August 28th, 2025 at 2:44 pm
“The pass blocking last year wasn’t as great as advertised. Mayfield got sacked a lot and ended up scrambling more than any team would want.”
No the OL was one of the better pass blocking units in the league last year. Fact is one of Mayfields’ hang-ups is his pocket presence which causes him to stall in the pocket or take one too many steps which lengthens the DLs time to close. He’s been sacked 40 or more times 4 of his 7 season career.
Players tend to take their tendencies wherever they go, and even in ’22 with that being an abbreviated season for him he took 36 sacks with 10 starts. One could also make the assumption that ties into his performance dropping dramatically the longer he holds the ball, in comparison to how he performs with <2.5 to throw.
So, before anybody else comes in here trying to blame it on the OL or anybody else, its a Baker problem and for some reason some will have a hard time realizing that.
August 28th, 2025 at 2:52 pm
bakers Achilles heel are night games and playoff games…
but yeah, blame the defense
GO BUCS!!!!
August 28th, 2025 at 2:57 pm
Baker excels at the short passing game, where he gets all the ball quickly, and if something isn’t there, he can move around and find a guy who is open.
Baker is not that good at throwing deep balls, which comes with him holding the ball, which is sort of what is being said here. Baker has a really good arm, but his accuracy on deep balls is lacking, and while waiting for deep routes, if it’s not there he tends to hold the ball forever and get himself in trouble. And before the Baker Boi(s) throw their typical fit, and then quote stats about 15 yard passes as if those are deep balls, saying Baker isn’t that good at something is OK. It’s OK to not be fantastic at everything, kiddo. Take your W’s where you can get them, and know your limitations, that will help you succeed rather than just claiming you’re the best at everything and you end up not being nearly as good. It’s OK kiddo, it’s OK.
In any case, I have a simple solution… do what Baker is good at, while minimizing what he’s not good at it. Saying Baker struggles a bit in the deep game doesn’t mean you don’t throw deep at times, and it certainly doesn’t mean he won’t make big plays – but all the talk in the offseason about wanting to throw deep a lot more… watch the tape from the last two years. There’s a reason the offense took off when Coen switched to the quick short passing game.
August 28th, 2025 at 3:08 pm
Mayfield throws 5 yards passes, and the receiver run for another 5-10 yards. That’s why Trey Palmer wasn’t a good fit, Palmer is a deep threat, not a slant guy.
August 28th, 2025 at 3:09 pm
“(where’s the stats?)”
Brady was sacked 70 times in 3 seasons with us.
Baker has been sacked 80 times in 2 seasons with us.
“In any case, I have a simple solution… do what Baker is good at, while minimizing what he’s not good at it.”
It works, most of the time for us and some of the time it works against us. For us is throwing a pass 4 yards behind the LOS and Chaad taking it for 15-20 yards for a big gainer.
At other times it doesn’t work and it’s a batted pass or worse a tip drill that hangs long enough for scrubs like Cam Jordan to record a pick against us.
The deep pass can work, my question is whom outside of Evans will it work with this season because I’m not giving you bonus points for cooking with Mike. He’s made QBs from Tom Brady to Fitzmagic look good in red & pewter
August 28th, 2025 at 3:11 pm
Prime time games and playoffs games is his Achilles heel. When the playoffs games or prime time games are in his hands to either close them out or win them.
August 28th, 2025 at 3:29 pm
BTW, Buccaneers gave up 41 sacks in 18 games. Right in the middle at 17
August 28th, 2025 at 3:29 pm
Onei, you are so mad Kyle Trask didn’t get the starting job. Now we know why you ALWAYS put out disinformation on our quarterback. And just so we know the truth about Bakers deep ball, he ranked 3rd last year in 20 plus yard completions.
COMPLETIONS OF 20 PLUS YARDS
Sam Darnold-62
Jared Goff-61
Baker Mayfield-58
Lamar Jackson-56
Brock Purdy-56
Josh Allen-54
Justin Herbert-54
So if Grizzard wants to push the ball up field more, I am sure we will be just fine with Bakers arm, just fine.
August 28th, 2025 at 3:31 pm
Baker achellies heel is the playoffs. He just will never be the Bigger man. He just comes up short. As one GM allegedly said, you have to hand it to Baker, cause he can’t reach up for it”
August 28th, 2025 at 3:34 pm
I think we can all agree that Baker is not an “elite” deep ball QB. But he is above average to good at deep balls. The thing that has allowed Baker to thrive is his processing. Folks on here seem to ignore the fact that in order to be successful in short and intermediate throws the QB has to get the right pre-snap read and decided at the snap where the play should go. While some NFL QB’s have freakish physical characteristics that give them an advantage, most of the QB’s in the NFL have relatively similar physical skills. The thing that separates the successful QB’s is the ability to process information quickly. Accuracy and ball placement also play a significant role. Baker has demonstrated that again, he is above average to good in these areas. This team does not need Baker to be Mahomes or Lamar Jackson- they simply need him to make good decisions with the ball and play within himself.
August 28th, 2025 at 3:36 pm
No Worries…Bowles has Blooper Bilgewater just in case.
August 28th, 2025 at 3:38 pm
WBL, you know alot more than the 4 posters that followed you. You’re correct we’ve got a very good OLine. You’re correct that throwing it in under 2.5 seconds is optimal. But saying that Baker doesn’t have above average pocket presence shows me the limits of your expertise. Go back to the film room, bud. One of Baker’s strengths is pocket presence. It’s like speed, either you have it or you don’t. Most don’t. Baker does. And lots of it.
August 28th, 2025 at 3:47 pm
Damn JOE, just about gave me a heart attack….
August 28th, 2025 at 3:50 pm
Kyle Trask, while a good person, just doesn’t have what it takes to start in the NFL or he would have done it by now. There is no shame in it. Less than 1% of all quarterbacks actually make it to starting in the NFL. Only the chosen few.
August 28th, 2025 at 3:54 pm
Davy boy
O’Neill is mad Jaboo isn’t QB
August 28th, 2025 at 4:00 pm
Terrible headline…
August 28th, 2025 at 4:10 pm
Baker’s real Achilles heal would be the banning of Smellies, which thankfully did not happen! Hopefully it doesn’t happen anytime soon in the future either
August 28th, 2025 at 4:11 pm
Gipper Says:
August 28th, 2025 at 2:14 pm
“The pass blocking last year wasn’t as great as advertised. Mayfield got sacked a lot and ended up scrambling more than any team would want. ”
That’s a fair point. He was sacked 40 times in each of the past 2 years.
But…
…last year, the majority of his sacks came early in the season, when the OL was new and learning. They let him get sacked 7 times in the 3rd game.
He was sacked 4 or more times in 5 games…and only 2 of thost games were lost, so it didn’t hurt us too badly.
Still, it doesn’t bode well for his health, and now that we have Fragile Teddy as backup, it’s a valid concern.
August 28th, 2025 at 4:15 pm
From the horses mouth Kenton:
“Sometimes I process information pretty quickly and my feet get out of whack a little bit,” Mayfield said. “Obviously, when it comes down to playing football, you can always run for a first down, whatever you’ve got to do. But not drifting in the pocket, not putting extra stress on these guys up front, and just going through it in a balanced setting and just trying to handle it the best way possible.”
-Baker Mayfield in 2024
His pocket presence is decent, but his footwork needs work still especially with Grizzard wanting to push the ball upfield more. Can the OL pass pro better? Sure but they were ranked 6th by PFF as a pass blocking unit last season, but there’s only so much better they can be.
Mayfield can help the whole unit not pressing under pressure and controlling his footwork instead of allowing it to control his ability on a given rep. So that way, he’s not running into the rush or having a 3rd street 40 sack season, which is odd with an improved OL whether you’re using your eye or any OL metric available to you.
August 28th, 2025 at 4:16 pm
YT , there is a perception that Baker can’t win in the playoffs ,, BT I’m pretty sure his playoff record is 2-3 ,, not Mahomes like but not the worst ever,,
Lamar is 3-5, Josh Allen is 7-6,, Dak is 2-5,, Joe Burrow 5-2, Herbert 0-2 , Matt Stafford 5-5,, Goff 5-5,,, so I mean comparatively is it really his downfall
August 28th, 2025 at 4:18 pm
Davyboy Says:
August 28th, 2025 at 3:50 pm
“Kyle Trask, while a good person, just doesn’t have what it takes to start in the NFL or he would have done it by now.”
Anyone that knows the politics of the Bucs know how wrong your assumption is.
The simple truth is…no one knows, not even Bucs staff….because he wasn’t groomed at all.
He MAY NOT have what it takes. Or he MIGHT.
If he goes to a team with a good OL and a good running back, and their starter goes down forcing them to stick with him for 8+ games…he might turn into a very good QB.
Meanwhile, if Baker goes down for 2+ games, Teddy Bridgewater will soon to down as well, and the Bucswill be scrambling for a QB.
August 28th, 2025 at 4:20 pm
The real question to ask yourselves is this:
If Baker gets hurt and is out for the season, and if Teddy also goes down, the Bucs will be heading for a top 3 pick.
Does anyone at all believe Bowles will want to spend it on a QB?
I don’t.
August 28th, 2025 at 4:22 pm
One of those bookends is missing for a few games. It will be interesting to see how they scheme that – Heck ain’t Wirffs. Hoping we have Tristan back by the Philly game!
August 28th, 2025 at 4:22 pm
I do believe that if Baker remains healthy, he can at least get us to the Superbowl.
August 28th, 2025 at 4:26 pm
Baker Mayfield had the best passing game out of the whole 2024 postseason with a “near perfect passer rating” of 146.5. No one even came close to him. He is money in the playoffs, as soon as the mistakes stop, there will be no stopping us.
August 28th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
Bonsai, I wouldn’t even dream of knowing the politics of the Bucs. I just know that winning is everything in the NFL. Politics definitely do exist in every organization. I just can’t see them mattering above winning. But I have been wrong before.
August 28th, 2025 at 10:32 pm
Davyboy,
How many incompletions over 20 yards did Baker have compared to the others… what’s the %. Maybe DR can answer that.
August 28th, 2025 at 10:41 pm
BucaneroJim Says:
August 28th, 2025 at 10:32 pm
Davyboy,
How many incompletions over 20 yards did Baker have compared to the others… what’s the %. Maybe DR can answer that.
———–
I had AI run the numbers… this is what it says (and the AI without my prompting used the word ‘middling’ which is funny)…
Mayfield’s usage of deep passes was limited in both seasons—with a sharp drop from 9.8% in 2023 to just 7.5% in 2024. His effectiveness remained middling, with his deep-pass EPA ranking among the lower tiers of the league both years (25th and then 26th). In 2024, he threw almost as many interceptions (4) as touchdowns (5) on those long attempts.
August 28th, 2025 at 10:44 pm
The OLine even minus Wirfs looks better this year. Sure hope Grizzard calls a few QB bootleg options cos Feisty Bake can do them.
August 28th, 2025 at 11:04 pm
For fun, I ran the 2019 Winston numbers vs the 2024 Baker numbers. Keep in mind this is AI, while I told it to double check the stats, take it all with a grain of salt…
Jameis Winston – 2019 (Buccaneers)
Attempts: 99
Completions: 40
Completion %: 40.4%
Yards: 1,351 (13.6 YPA)
TD–INT: 9–5
Passer Rating (deep): 97.1
No EPA Available
Baker Mayfield – 2024 (Buccaneers)
Attempts: 52
Completions: 20
Completion %: 38.4%
Yards: 583 (11.2 YPA)
TD–INT: 5–4
Passer Rating (deep): 71.9
EPA Rank (overall deep): 26th
So if you thought Winston sucked throwing the deep ball in 2019, you’re going to really have an issue with Baker.
All this just reinforces what my eyes see during the games – Baker isn’t good throwing deep. And that’s OK — Baker excels in the short game (not a height joke), so use him that way. Baker was great last year when he got the ball out of his hands quickly – and if there wasn’t someone open in the short game, taking off and getting yards. Again, you still need to take shots to keep the defense honest – and you’ll make some big plays – but the Bucs should stick to being a quick strike offense.
August 28th, 2025 at 11:14 pm
Actually in 2024 Bakers “Highly accurate throws” of 20+ yards Baker ranks 12th. As stated, his “completion rate” of 20+ yards was 3rd. I wouldn’t call 12th lower tier but considering the source I would expect it. I think the proper term would be upper 60%. Middling😂 you love that word Rod. The only thing is you don’t get to use it much anymore huh??
August 28th, 2025 at 11:30 pm
DavyRetard…
From NFL.com
“On the occasions Mayfield did throw deep, it wasn’t very successful. The Bucs attempted 20-plus-yard passes on 7.5% of their attempts, ranking 28th, with a 32.6% success rate, ranking 21st. According to Next Gen Stats, their EPA per dropback on deep throws was 0.19, ranking 20th in the league (26th overall). Mayfield also threw five touchdowns to four interceptions on deep shots.”
AND…
“Baker Mayfield completed a career-high 71.4% of his passes last year in a records season in Tampa Bay. While he completed 84.3% of his passes inside 10 yards, Mayfield’s completion percentage dipped to 58% on passes 10 yards or more down the field. And at 20 yards or more, Mayfield completed just 38.5% of his throws.”
Try to quote some real numbers instead of pushing fake news you idiot.
August 28th, 2025 at 11:35 pm
This is what AI said: “In the 2024 season Baker Mayfield was one of the league’s most prolific deep passers ranking third overall, with 58 completions of 20 plus yards. His performance places him among the leagues best for the category.”
August 28th, 2025 at 11:51 pm
AI also said this: “the number of completions of 20 plus yards is known to be 58 but the number of attempts for such passes is not provided which is necessary to calculate the completion percentage.” I guess one AI is not as smart as the other.
August 29th, 2025 at 12:02 am
Rod, how old are you? 12? Retard Rod? Name calling, kind of went out for most people once they left middle school. I know Rod, if you can’t woo them, resort to name calling. That is truly the adult thing to do. It’s always enjoyable to debate with a child. Now I know what is wrong, you are a middle school child. Thus the middling thing, lmao
August 29th, 2025 at 2:25 am
The stats are not 32.6% and ranking 21st Rod. They are 34.7% and he ranks 12th. The big difference being 21st vs.12th. That’s in the 60% range as I said. I don’t know where you “got” your numbers but they are way off. I got mine from a chart that has all 32 quarterbacks and their completion rates and their passes that qualify as “highly accurate”. I’m positive my numbers are dead on. 21st vs.12th, big difference there Rod.
How quaint…
August 29th, 2025 at 3:32 am
He does not do well with the long ball. However he has all the weapons in the world for everything else and he hits them. Not to mention his ability to get out of trouble. My only knock on Baker is that he sometimes holds the ball too long.
Go Bucs!
August 29th, 2025 at 3:59 am
Davyboy – I gave you my source, NFL.com and another prominent Buccaneers magazine. What is your source for a stat that doesn’t appear anywhere else?
August 29th, 2025 at 12:40 pm
Rod, it was stats compiled by independent analysts such as ESPN and PFF-Pro Football Focus and other private companies that specialize in sports data collection. One example, they collect data that shows a quarterbacks EPA. Baker ranks 5th in their Total EPA behind the usual: Allen, Jackson, Goff and Burrow. In the passing EPA he does even better.
PASSING EPA 2024
1-Lamar Jackson-170
2-Jared Goff-155
3-Josh Allen-129
4-Baker Mayfield-108
The passing EPA, which takes into consideration the deep pass, is extremely important in evaluating a quarterbacks actual contribution to scoring points, which of course correlates strongly to wins. So by the stats that make the “passing EPA”, Baker is 4th best in the league. I am quite sure this is plenty good enough to take us to a superbowl and win. If he gets his interceptions down he will be in the top 3 easily. It is a site different from middling isnt it Rod, a site different. The cream is rising….
August 29th, 2025 at 4:05 pm
Davyboy – We’re talking about on passes over 20 yards, that’s my stats, that’s the entire conversation. Baker is great at the short game, isn’t good throwing deep. You throw deep a lot less than you do short, thus his 26th ranked passing EPA on deep balls can be that bad while still overall being good. The entire point of my comment wasn’t bashing Baker, it’s to say use him in ways that he excels, while limiting his exposure to things he’s not good at.
August 29th, 2025 at 6:46 pm
First of all Rod dont act like everything you do isnt geared at diminishing Baker. Please don’t do that. You are the King of complisulting Baker.
Second, you have your stats that no one has seen where he ranks 26th. I have mine where he ranks 7th in 20+ yard completions and 12th in highly accurate 20+ yard throws.
Third, I have the stat where Bakers Passing EPA ranks 4th.
Fourth the Total Passing EPA takes into effect the deep ball and he ranks 5th.
Point being Baker is far from a middling quarterback and he is plenty talented enough to win us a superbowl. Both of which you have accused him of for 2 years now.