Pat Mahomes And Baker Mayfield?

October 8th, 2025

Baker Mayfield shares a moment with Bucs killer Cooper Kupp, his former Rams teammate, after Sunday’s Bucs win.

Holy flurkingschmidt! Do the Bucs have an all-time quarterback on their hands?

Look, Joe is a big fan of Baker Mayfield. But still, Joe puts Pat Mahomes on a pedestal of his own when it comes to clutch quarterbacks currently in the middle of their careers.

But a guy Joe respects a ton, NFL columnist/humorist Mike Tanier, thinks NFL fans better start respecting Mayfield as one of the game’s best when a game is in doubt.

In a piece Tanier typed for his own Substack page, Too Deep Zone, Tanier suggested the only people who don’t respect Mayfield as one of the best clutch quarterbacks in the game don’t watch him.

I am running out of ways to say that the Buccaneers should be taken seriously as Super Bowl contenders. If you don’t believe it at this point, just watch them. You may discover that, besides Patrick Mahomes, there is no better quarterback right now with the game on the line than Mayfield.

(One-liner respect: Tanier referred to the second half of the Bucs-Seahawks game as an unexpected breakout of an NBA All-Star Game.)

Coming from a level-headed man like Tanier, a friend of Joe’s, that is a helluva statement. But the proof is in the pudding. What other quarterback has led his team to four last-minute game-winning drives in five games?

Hint: It isn’t Mahomes.

34 Responses to “Pat Mahomes And Baker Mayfield?”

  1. adam from ny Says:

    that classic “white and creamsicle” look is really starting to rub off on them boys

  2. Baking with Grizz Says:

    Somebody is FOCUS AND DETERMINED.

    Let’s Go!!!!!!

  3. Gofortheface30 Says:

    Not that it matters because Mahomes is still great, but his arm strength has clearly diminished fairly considerably. His Hail Mary attempt at the amend of the game in Jacksonville didn’t even go 60 air yards, and it’s not like he was on the run or was pressured. He cocked back with everything he had, and for someone who basically has these folklore stories about his arm – it doesn’t exactly pop off the screen anymore. Baker, Josh Allen, Jayden etc – those balls are one thousand percent getting much closer to that endzone. Idk – I’m just moderately surprised this isn’t talked about. It’s not like Mahomes is old yet

  4. Baking with Grizz Says:

    Our classic Super Bowl run after the bye week awaits….

    Go Bucs!!!!!

  5. Beeej Says:

    That ball Baker threw to EE went 65 yards in the air

  6. Billy Bucco Says:

    Baker looks really athletic this year when he runs.
    You can tell he is in much better shape than last year for example.

    I know it seems nuts, but he could seriously win MVP.
    He hasn’t even had a full complement of Receivers yet.

    Tez Johnson is starting to be reliable so look out man. This team is loaded.
    Really wish we had David Walker, but I’m hoping it leads to a trade because the only thing stopping us IMO is an edge rush!

  7. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    adam from ny Says:
    October 8th, 2025 at 7:06 am
    “that classic “white and creamsicle” look is really starting to rub off on them boys”

    I was surprised they wore the colors a second time. It felt good getting a win in them.

    My fav is still the Pewter and Red from the Dungy/Gruden era though. I wish they would go back to those. I actually hate the current colors. Too much like the Falcons.

  8. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Billy Bucco, I agree 100%.

    Also, in the last game, Baker slid at the end of his runs. Normally he powers through…which is exciting but risky.

    Tez had a good game, and I hope it continues. He’s not the only backup who has looked good. Lots of potential on this team.

    Lots of trade bait too. Tez, for example, could be used to lower the cost of an edge rusher.

  9. Caleb M Says:

    Keep the creamsicles! Those were cleaner than church clothes. 🙌

  10. Lt. Dan Says:

    “Holy flurkingschmidt!” Hahaha! gets me every time!

  11. Danny Mac Says:

    It’s time to go back to the Creamsicles full time.

  12. MikeBuc Says:

    Huge Baker fan. believed in him even when at Panthers BUT Lets go easy here.

    Mahomes has the rings Regular season is not post season and if Baker throws one pick to lose a playoff game like the last eagles game the Traskies will come swarming out of their bunkers

  13. Bucccnasty Says:

    Almost 5. If the refs wore their glasses vs Philly they woulda seen the DBs mugging our WRs. I think Godwin and Egbuka definitly needed new undershirts after that game due to how much Mitchell tore off from holding.

  14. SlyPirate Says:

    HYPERBOLE

    32 out of 32 teams are taking Allen, Mahomes, LJ, and a few others over Baker. He’s having an MVP year (circumstantial) and I’m excited to have him.

    He’s not Top 5.

  15. Drunk Bucs Fan Says:

    But SlyPirate, other than the names you list how many are proven and how many are flavor of the month? Anyone remember the “CJ Stroud for MVP” talk from early last year?

    Not saying Baker clears anyone at 5, but I don’t think anyone clears him either. And yes, I know Burrow exists. So does Jamel Dean.

  16. Brooks Says:

    Pump the brakes the next two will really determine what kind of team we have

  17. Kenton Smith Says:

    SlyPirate, you aren’t excited to have him. Go back to bed and maybe you can have a nice dream about us losing and Baker sucking. That would probably give you a happy ending. Troll.

  18. JA Says:

    Cannot count on miracle wins every week to carry you to a Super Bowl. Four wins by a total of 9 points?
    When the playoffs arrive your defense will be counted on more than ever to get timely stops. There are no horrible teams in the playoffs.
    Bucs D is currently ranked 20th against the pass and 29th in allowing Red Zone TD’s. They’ve allowed 16 TD’s total—10 through the air.
    The D did come through in the second half against Philly and with the timely pick last week. But they also gave up a 99 yard drive for an easy TD.
    Is this a recipe for long term success or do we need defensive help? For starters, Reddick needs to step it up, and the second round pick from Alabama last year? His name is called so infrequently I seem to forgot it … Think it’s Bra … something or other. The guy with 4 tackles through five games.
    Just wish we’d make a move on that side of the ball.

  19. Bartow Buc Says:

    When you see college quarterbacks playing you just have a pretty good idea they are going to be successful in the NFL. When I saw Baker playing for OU, I had a gut feeling he was going to be a successful pro.
    Well, Baker won the Heisman Trophy, was the number one draft pick overall, and long story short, he is our Buccaneer quarterback and we love it !!
    Shall we start talking Hall of Fame for Baker Mayfield? I think that’s a legitimate conversation. I think he plays like a Hall of Fame quarterback!!

    Go Bucs !!

  20. orlbucfan Says:

    I really like Feisty Bake, but Josh Allen of the Bills is an example of an elite QB in my book. However, Allen doesn’t have the same on-a-mission fire that Baker has. Mahomes is a good QB, but he’s always been surrounded by a first class supporting cast and front office. Still, I’ll stick with Bake. Let’s go, Bucs, 5-1!!

  21. ballwasher61 Says:

    Baker has had 2 good years in a row and on his way to another one to go 3 in a row. That consistency is what elevates the team. Glad he is healthy and taking care of himself and the football

  22. Bucman Says:

    Teams also need defense to go all the way.

  23. TampaBayBucFan Says:

    How about this?

    Dollar for dollar, Baker Mayfield is the best QB in the NFL.

  24. Timbucs2 Says:

    I know some people are waiting for Baker to turn back into a pumpkin. But some QBs turn a corner later in their careers. He’s the real deal. I think we aren’t going to see this kind of TD/int ratio hold up over the course of the season, but he finds the open guy, makes the right play, and he has an amazing connection with Egbuka already. Exciting stuff.

  25. Gipper Says:

    Timbucs2,

    Baker was never ‘ a pumpkin.” The greatest college QB of this century according to SI tried to play an entire season 2021 with a serious injury. The thanks he got for it was being kicked to the curb by the inept Browns. This nonsense that somehow he was a failure in Cleveland and Charlotte is just bs put out by lazy media types. LA would have loved to keep Baker but had committed heavily to Mathew Stafford. Baker asked for his release and got it. Those of us who knew Baker’s incredible skill set never wavered in predicting what is happening now. This should be a lesson to many but it won’t be. There are far too many people who don’t know football talent and are just superficial fools.

  26. Timbucs2 Says:

    Gipper,

    I 100% agree. When he signed with the Bucs, I was all-aboard the Baker express. I think there was a perception out there that he is a mediocre QB at the pro level, but like you said, he never had a chance, and when he was healthy, he led his team inches from making the AFC title game.

    A lot of doubters are getting served!

  27. Gotti-Dog-05-20-84 Says:

    “Gipper Says:
    October 8th, 2025 at 11:25 am

    Baker asked for his release and got it.”

    One thing that never gets mentioned are the details of the trade of Mayfield to the Panthers.
    The deal included a conditional draft pick. If Mayfield played in 70% or more of the offensive snaps the Browns would receive a 4th round pick. Less than 70%, they received a 5th round pick.
    At the time Mayfield was benched for Walker he was at 72% (372/516) even after missing 3 games. It was pretty obvious that Carolina was not going to contend for the playoffs that year therefore maximizing draft picks became more important than allowing Mayfield to play.
    There was no way Mayfield would finish the season logging over 70% of the snaps. When Steve Wilkes said he didn’t have the power to dictate roster moves I suspect he is right. A pretty good guess would be that he received direction from his GM to make sure the team maintained their 4th round pick.
    I would submit that without the team having a winning record after week 4 (when they fired Matt Rhule) Mayfield’s fate in Carolina was sealed.

  28. darengibo Says:

    I take it week by week, but man oh man, what a week by week it has been!!! Baker is showing everyone he IS a FRANCHISE QB and definitely is the face of this team! in my eyes, Tampa has been playing with house money since winning SB, and are exceeding all expectations!

    I am getting tired of the revolving OC door, but maybe MAYBE we can have this be the transition planning of Bowles retiring when he wants, while then locking up Griz as HC and of course Baker long term!

  29. HashmarkJones Says:

    Needed some Chris Thomas vibes today. Good call!

  30. Durango 95 Says:

    Before the creamsicles became fan favorite throwbacks most fans hated the look. People thought they looked too male cheerleader-ish.

  31. BakerFan Says:

    That pick 6 made by Mahomes and the attempted tackle is the real Mahomes. Living where I live, I see him almost every week and that guy has been extremely and I mean extremely lucky that this has not happen to him more. With diminishing skills and diminishing talented players around him expect to see more of it.

    Can you imagine the Trolls on here if Mayfield threw that pass and the attempted tackle, they would by heckling about it all the way into season 2027

  32. heyjude Says:

    I pick Baker any day! He is the best!

    Last week and other times before, Mahomes acts like a baby when a call doesn’t go his way. He may be a good QB, but his character when things don’t go his way on the field ruins it.

  33. Davyboy Says:

    Well well well, I wonder who made that comparison 2 years ago??

  34. Davyboy Says:

    That’s right Baker Fan. Mahomes has had the best of the best and now he doesnt and it is showing. When a quarterback has an average line he isn’t NEAR as good as a quarterback having a top 5 line and Mahomes has had a top 5 line just about ever since he was drafted. Now his OL is ranked around 20th. An OL is EVERYTHING to a quarterback, everything, I don’t care who you are. Without good blocking it just doesn’t work. Those guys will chew you up and spit you out all day long.

 

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