Baker Mayfield “Looks Uncomfortable”
December 11th, 2025
What happened?
What happened to Baker Mayfield? That’s a question that Bucs fans will ask, Joe has a hunch, until the 2026 regular season starts.
And it seems to be a riddle with no easy explanation.
One of the best analysts around, especially quarterback analysts, is Greg Cosell of NFL Films. He learned from the feet of quarterback development from the great Bill Walsh. Joe can’t think of a better instructor.
Cosell is at a loss trying to figure out what happened to Mayfield. He brought this up during his weekly appearance to talk ball on the “Ross Tucker Podcast,” perhaps the best series of pure football chatter podcasts out there.
“To start the season out, he looked so decisive,” Cosell said of Mayfield. “He knew where to go with the football. The ball came out. He made some plays with his legs.
“I would say over this past month, he has looked indecisive. If that first option is unavailable, it looks almost as if he creates his own pressure. He just looks very uncomfortable.”
It likely isn’t one thing that has caused Mayfield to slide, per Cosell. Cosell emphasized how the injuries to the Bucs’ offensive line cannot be understated.
Cosell said this time of the year, offensive lines have developed into a cohesive unit. The Bucs have none of that because of the revolving door as a result of injuries to everyone except Graham Barton.
Also puzzling Cosell is Mayfield’s “chemistry” with Emeka Egbuka. “That’s gone,” Cosell said.
You can see Cosell’s clip below. But yeah, it is a mystery how Mayfield went from leader in the clubhouse for NFL MVP to a point that “this Joe” wonders if the powers that be at One Buc Palace are thinking they may need to go quarterback shopping in the draft.
“To start the season out, he looked so decisive…now he looks uncomfortable…”@GregCosell on what he’s seeing from Bucs QB Baker Mayfield:@Gametime pic.twitter.com/JmuwRvdgsb
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) December 11, 2025
December 11th, 2025 at 10:02 am
If my head coach was a stiff that the team definitely doesn’t respond to, and the OC is clearly over his head, I’d be uncomfortable too.
December 11th, 2025 at 10:07 am
He is uncomfortable, for many reasons, but the main one is that he is playing poorly.
Most probably he is hurt, the OL is always different, and the only reasonable target he has is his TE, because Egbuka regressed.
But again, the main reason is he is playing poorly
December 11th, 2025 at 10:10 am
Simple he is hurt and should not be playing.. He is because stupid Bowles got rid of Trask and got Moonball Bridgewater in here.
December 11th, 2025 at 10:25 am
Shop away! Phillip Rivers may be available for next year. This organization is clueless.
Yeah, he is uncomfortable. He had his starting oline, receivers and running backs all playing at the first part of the season I might add they had been practicing since preseason. His number one receiver was Sterling Shepard when the injury bug hit. His O line was down to two starters. Quite frankly the second string O line has some really poor talent on the roster.
December 11th, 2025 at 10:28 am
I would like to know whose decision it was to let Trask go. I’m not suggesting he is better than Mayfield but he would’ve been able to be more effective than Bridgewater. My guess is that Baker’s issues are several fold including scheme. There isn’t a whole lot of creativity happening on offense.
December 11th, 2025 at 10:29 am
Yeah! I’m going to look good while playing beat to sheet , we have become accustomed to watching Baker play the way he has been but sometime early in the season folks noticed him not playing as he had in previous seasons with the Bucs.
December 11th, 2025 at 10:29 am
Joe, interesting thought, Quarter Back shopping! No mention of changing of coaches, offensive line additions or more aggressive defensive personnel! Clean house from top to bottom leaving no stones not turned over. As for Baker, the truth on his playing hurt and how management is dealing with it will never be known. He’s hurting which is effecting his judgement and decision making. He should have been placed on IR four games ago.
December 11th, 2025 at 10:29 am
I’ve watched Baker play alot of football. It’s the worst stretch of football I’ve seen him play. I do know if a QB gets an extra half second before the pocket is breached and/or the receiver can get a step(get open) in a half second less time that’s what can be the difference between a great QB and an average QB. I watched Mahomes play the other night and he threw 3 picks and scored 10 points. He had his receivers. Not his OLine. Baker has had neither. We’ll see if he can get it fixed. When he gets things right he can play awful good. If he hits Evans on a slant on the first play it’d sure help their timing. And the team needs to make a decision on Bucky. He’s our third best running back. He can still get 8 or 10 touches but White and Tucker have earned 1 and 2. Bucky can motion out of 2 back sets and run some slot. He’s a playmaker, not an NFL starting RB. At least not yet.
December 11th, 2025 at 10:31 am
“Most probably he is hurt, the OL is always different, and the only reasonable target he has is his TE, because Egbuka regressed.”
BS he’s regressed
Since week 7:
3rd in targets with (68)
28th in catchable targets (34)
**Meaning only HALF of his targets since week 7 are even catchable balls, which help explain the 49.1% catch rate*
6th in air yards per target(771)
35th in catchable air yards(294)
5 drops in that span
Fact is, whichever way the QB goes so does his recieving corps production. We’re averaging 159 passing yards per games since the by week with an average of 32 passing attempts per game.
Our pass game itself has regressed though.
December 11th, 2025 at 10:34 am
Is it possible that a stratagem is being employed ?
December 11th, 2025 at 10:42 am
Interesting comparison of Mahomes and Mayfield. Both are playing poorly. Both have poor offensive lines. Coincidence? Not in the least.
Most of your “franchise QB’s” have a great o-line in front of them. And when that O-line regresses, they look mortal again (Tom Brady?).
Its a simple FACT.
December 11th, 2025 at 10:46 am
That’s what happens when the interior pass blocking is not very good most the year and WRs don’t seem to get any separation the vast majority of the time.
Yet somehow opponents run free across the middle all game and RBs are rarely covered in the flat while their QB stands in a clean pocket most the game
December 11th, 2025 at 10:47 am
for some reason, he wants to immediately throw behind the sticks…..no matter what the down and distance……either he isn’t getting protection, WRs not getting open, play call or he can’t throw deep….but it is killing us.
Maybe just having Mike out there will make a difference.
December 11th, 2025 at 10:48 am
Guys, the OL has been protecting pretty well for Baker. On the missed EE TD pass there was good protection and he still made a bad throw.
Look, it’s time to face facts that Baker is not that good. At his peak he was above average and now as he’s getting older his play is slipping further. He’s had plenty of chance to win with who has been healthy and he hasn’t done it.
You’re not injured if you’re starting and playing. No excuses for a guy making $40 million a year. I don’t care about him trying hard, or his guts or his toughness. Those are admirable traits but hes not helping the TEAM. Healthy or injured Baker isn’t the answer. If he was we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
December 11th, 2025 at 10:49 am
Good grief – it’s pretty simple:
1) Constant pressure in the QB’s face due to poor IOL(Interior Offensive Line Play).
2)Poor play calling from the Oc.
3) Receivers dropping very catchable balls. If it hits you in both hands you HAVE to catch it.
4)Focusing on Bucky Bucky Bucky innstead of mixing in White and Tucker, ESPECIALLY Tucker.
5) Baker playing through injuries.
#1 is the biggie. If we had our regular lineup these L’s would most likely have been W’s.
Go Bucs – Beat the Birds.
December 11th, 2025 at 10:53 am
The Bucs are a team of blind men leading blind men. Starting with Todd. Todd manages to zap the energy out of this team. The Bucs currently have one of the lowest payroll for coaches. Why? because of Todd can’t have anyone on the staff who could or would replace him if fired mid season. That’s what we’re dealing with. No one on this staff at this point would be hired anywhere else coaching their position. The offensive coordinator would be hired by a legitimate team as an assistant tight end coach. So with Todd he’s in over his head. It’s not a pretty picture. The players stopped listening to this staff a while back when they realized the bottom fell out of their season at the bye.
December 11th, 2025 at 10:53 am
Right, click on the name so we can get the pressure every down and WR blame the heck outta here, bad play is bad play and there’s an abundance of video evidence out there.
December 11th, 2025 at 10:53 am
The only shopping they need to be doing is for a head coach and defensive staff.
December 11th, 2025 at 10:55 am
LOL…
Baker is missing his top 3 WRs, the O-line is a mess, our TEs suck and our OC is in over his head…
Not to mention the entire NFL has figured out by now that Baker can’t throw more than 15 yards downfield.
This offense is a joke.
December 11th, 2025 at 10:56 am
Bee Says:
December 11th, 2025 at 10:48 am
Guys, the OL has been protecting pretty well for Baker
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
No, it has not. Very average guards are being pushed around by everyone we play. QBs need throwing lanes, and we have not been getting them.
“You’re not injured if you’re starting and playing. No excuses for a guy making $40 million a year. ”
Simply not true. In the NFL, players play injured all of the time. The injury rate over the season is nearly 100%.
Heck, athletes play injured in High School. I did.
You just don’t like Baker for some reason. It’s not incompetence.
So who would you replace him with?
December 11th, 2025 at 10:57 am
I’m my opinion, there are so many reasons why Bake looks uncomfortable.
A new OC is probably the main reason. Grizz is still try to settle in to the job of calling plays as the game develops. I’m worried that as ME 13 and McMillan come back, that just going to add to the indecision of which play to call at any given time.
Next, with all the injuries, Baker has had to think on the run a lot more because EE2, SS17, Tez , and others just don’t open up as well when ME 13 is not on the field.
Those are the two main reasons in my opinion Baker Mayfield looks uncomfortable . Add to that 350 pound defensive linemen who can run under a 5 second 40 who are chasing you, and yes I can see why he looks uncomfortable at times.
There’s no doubt in my mind that Baker Mayfield has the ability to lead the Buccaneers (or any other team)to a Super Bowl victory. The Buccaneers just have to stay healthy and to the best of their ability, play mistake free football for the remainder of the season !!
December 11th, 2025 at 10:58 am
Sal Volatile Says:
December 11th, 2025 at 10:34 am
Is it possible that a stratagem is being employed ?
.
The only strategy should be getting the highest draft slot in 2026
Yeah !
Winning games this year is MEANINGLESS because this is not a NFC Championship game team
Blah blah blah
NFC Division champs again….
One and done in post season
December 11th, 2025 at 11:01 am
Anyone that mentions Trask has zero credibility and is embarrassing themselves.
December 11th, 2025 at 11:02 am
Baker looks like Brady looked without Ryan Jensen and Ali Marpet: off, out of sync, skittish, quickly rattled…..and that caused fast throws, and inaccurate throws.
December 11th, 2025 at 11:04 am
every player and coach should be uncomfortable with the way the season has gone since losing to the lions. they have a chance to turn it around with a must win tonight.
bakers numbers all season arent great, except for getting INT’s under control compared to last year. even his first game against the falcons was weak.
December 11th, 2025 at 11:05 am
Baker will be fine ,,, go 4 wide and start slinging it ,,, OC needs to get aggressive ,, Baker will make enough plays to get us in the playoffs ,,, on a different note ,,, With the WR down this year , Otton has been very disappointing
December 11th, 2025 at 11:09 am
Running for your life when the pressure comes in less than 2 seconds might make him a little uncomfortable.
December 11th, 2025 at 11:10 am
Ill tell you the problem. He has a musical chairs offensive line. The starters have not played a single snap all together. He has a musical chairs receiver core. Godwin isnt 100% yet. Mike barley played. JMac never played. His most consistently healthy WRs are 2 rookies and Shep. Our star RB has been out the majority of the season. Our D is a mess, as usual. He’s on his his 400th OC, this time a rookie playcaller. He’s physically beaten to $hit because the O-Line is hobbled. Even our blocking TE has been out for most of the year.
Remember when y’all were like “Cleveland did him dirty. They let him go after he played hurt all year.He plays great when he’s not hurt and actually had an O-line.” Well… just sayin’
December 11th, 2025 at 11:12 am
Draft the most explosive offensive weapon in the first round and then go ALL defense.
ME&CG are at the back end of their careers and we know what this year looked like without them.
December 11th, 2025 at 11:14 am
Check out this Twitter link and you’ll see play after play of Baker having decent to good protection and making bad decisions and bad throws. Like I said, look at the final drive against the Saints, how accurate was he on that drive?
Me liking him or not has nothing to do with his results on the field. He’s not accurately hitting the healthy WRs available to him.
And the Bucs should replace him with a rookie. Too many people want to avoid the inevitable, this team is in rebuilding mode. It needs an overhaul in Coaching and player personnel.
December 11th, 2025 at 11:18 am
SBLV
They might ought to look into drafting a QB
December 11th, 2025 at 11:20 am
As much as I think Baker play has hurt this team this year, he’s our QB for the next 4 years and we would be foolish to not invest in a guy like that. He can get us where we want to go, as long as he has the correct team around him.
I just don’t look at the QB market and think there’s a true #1 we can bring in that will give us a couple years of consistency.
Sign Baker and find a new PC should go a long ways for the O
December 11th, 2025 at 11:21 am
WillieG Says:
Baker looks like Brady looked without Ryan Jensen and Ali Marpet: off, out of sync, skittish, quickly rattled…..and that caused fast throws, and inaccurate throws..
—————————————————————————————–
His accuracy has clearly regressed since earlier in the season. I’m wondering whether the injuries he’s dealing with are throwing off his mechanics, and for that to cause inaccurate throws.
December 11th, 2025 at 11:24 am
Bee Says:
Look, it’s time to face facts that Baker is not that good. At his peak he was above average and now as he’s getting older his play is slipping further.
———————————————————————————-
Earlier in the season, Baker was not playing at an “above average” level. He was playing at an MVP level.
Check with your doctor to see if he has a treatment for BDS
(Baker Derangement Syndrome).
December 11th, 2025 at 11:25 am
You replace Baker with a rookie.
Wake up, this team needs a complete rebuild.
December 11th, 2025 at 11:31 am
Only Goff has thrown for more TD’s in last 2 years. Wonder how Baker would have performed without all the injuries?
December 11th, 2025 at 11:32 am
he is who we thought he was!!!!!….lol…
i dont think Baker has confidence in Grizz…
GO BUCS!!!!
December 11th, 2025 at 11:41 am
This team is inconsistent like bad teams are why would any one be comfortable no consistent blocking separation good play calling run game
December 11th, 2025 at 11:41 am
YES. “Creates. His. OWN. Pressure.” He is seeing ghosts, or something! He’s rushing throws when he doesn’t have to, and his ‘timing’ is way off. He seems to be having trouble seeing the whole field. When a QB is ‘on’ he sees things even BEFORE they happen. He does not appear to be reading defenses properly pre-snap. Grizzard has NEVER changed ANYTHING UP either, in order to try getting him into any rhythm. So, his ‘play-calling’ and overall philosophy has been ZERO help. Baker is a RHYTHM-QB, who has been very ‘inconsistent’ throughout his entire career. He’s up and he’s down. Almost from one extreme, to the other. You have to start-out by scheming him the easy-throws early. There has to be perfect timing, and everyone has to be on the same page… Or, it’s going to look just like THS. Period. End of Story. This is what Cohen was SO GREAT AT! He kept Baker interested and active. In-Rhythm, without even having to think. He kept his juices flowin’ while building HIS confidence EARLY, and throughout the game. He kept things movin’ fast! Grizzard is all slow and BORING. It can’t be fun.
December 11th, 2025 at 11:46 am
@Warren Brooks Lynch
so? what’s you point???
December 11th, 2025 at 11:48 am
“and the only reasonable target he has is his TE”
You mean the guy that bobbled a catch straight into the defense’s hands… TWICE!
He’s given the Rams more TDs than he’s caught this year.
December 11th, 2025 at 11:51 am
@StickinUp4Centers
Seems the ugly impression, and I am very sorry to say, that you don’t have any idea what a sarcasm is right?
December 11th, 2025 at 11:51 am
Warren Brooks Lynch
Baker Bros don’t care about facts or wins, they only want their mancrush to play. That’s it. Its obviously not all on Baker but cmon man, hes not playing well at all and its all his fault.
December 11th, 2025 at 11:58 am
Mahomes has been so banged-up over the past couple of seasons, that it pains ME to watch him play! He has played A LOT of friggin’ football, at this point in his career. About the most a player could even possibly play… Hell, he’s been to THE Super Bowl almost EVERY season that he’s played. And, in THE MOST extreme ‘high-leverage’ situations… Playoff Games against STRONG competition, with everyone all geared-up to knock HIM and his Chiefs OFF. It’s everyone’s Super Bowl, even when it’s NOT the “Super Bowl.” It was really amazing that HE got that KC team there last year! He even ‘looks-like’ he could use an ENTIRE YEAR off.
December 11th, 2025 at 12:11 pm
@ZZbucs
Egbuka isn’t regressing, he’s playing with a mid-tier QB who’s done over-achieving and is now settling back into his median level of performance. Also, the minute a critique that reflects the downside of having Baker as our start QBs you and other Buc fans alike start saying the dumbest stuff you can think of.
Exhibit A:
“Only Goff has thrown for more TD’s in last 2 years. Wonder how Baker would have performed without all the injuries?”
This means jacks%&t right now at this point in our season, but this is the fail mary types of comments Baker enthusiasts peddle out to combat any of us who don’t blink at being critical of Mayfield. Outside of playing QB in the NFL, nobody with half a brain and eyes is confusing Mayfield for Goff or Mahomes or Stafford or Joe Burrow especially when it comes to being efficient from the pocket or pushing the ball upfield.
@Bee
I know, but in the end I don’t care what these fools think. Alot of them think Mr. I can’t eval talent for s%&t, Jon Gruden would be a favorable option to be our HC should Bowles get canned.
December 11th, 2025 at 12:25 pm
@Bee
Baker Bros don’t care about facts or wins, they only want their man crush to play. That’s it.
—-
oh give it a break Traskie. Since your trask clan is resurrecting all this baker boi nonsense again because you smell an opportunity I’m going to start pushing back on it.
The only reason we have a winning record is because baker took back games in the final two minutes several times.
Those were WINS Traskie. So much for not caring about wins
for the record He looks healthy to me last game
All this deep dive and wondering is kind of silly. You know what correlates with the losing – Sterling Shephard being your number 2 Wr and two rookies being 1 and 3.Tell anyone before the season that with Bucky out as well and no one would be surprised at a struggling offense
IF Mcmillan and mike returns to good playing form and he still struggles then fine fire away but the two things a QB needs is what baker hasn’t had – a cohesive line and wide receivers to throw to.
but pack up the Bake boi nonsense traskies. Your guy was out of football for months because no one wanted him. Your Florida boy savior was a bust and its time to just deal with it. You are not fooling anyone. behind 9 out of 10 Baker haters is an unfulfilled traskie crying in his blankie
December 11th, 2025 at 12:31 pm
Baker is just a small issue. You have incompetent and overrated receivers, no offensive linemen, TE is a joke and to top it all, an offensive scheme that is made for High school….. clowns !
December 11th, 2025 at 12:32 pm
Man our fanbase is dumbest in sports. Baker playing hurt shoring incredible heart and fight and you think we can replace him? Interesting maybe his top 5 weapons have missed the majority of season. Our oline looks terrible if you don’t see that you’re not watching and we don’t have anybody on offense the other team has to respect.
Otto is awful, the rookie drops every pass for everyone he catches our second leading receiver is Shepard who if we released today would not even make a practice roster in the NFL.
Can this fanbase get any dumber if it tried. Baker is our Qb all this does is make it easier to resign him for a little less then we would have.
Put Evans Mcmillian Bucky and Godwin on the field healthy then let’s see how Baker does!
Worst fan base in sports why we get outnumbered in our own stadium every week!
December 11th, 2025 at 12:35 pm
Again,you can’t complete passes to receivers who aren’t open.
December 11th, 2025 at 12:37 pm
“Again,you can’t complete passes to receivers who aren’t open.”
And when receivers are open you can’t throw it to them as if they were Mr. Fantastic or Dr. Strange, see how that works?
December 11th, 2025 at 12:41 pm
BucsFanSince1996
I agree. He’s probably dealing with injuries that affect his throws. A small problem may be that he’s anticipating d linemen getting hands up so he’s throwing higher than he wants to.
December 11th, 2025 at 12:44 pm
Raise the flags on Amazon is freaking awesome.
Just finished episode one. So many memories.
December 11th, 2025 at 12:45 pm
MikeBuc
What does any of this have to do with Trask? Once again all the Baker fans refuse to acknowledge a few simple facts. Baker is inaccurate, Baker isn’t converting the 3rd and 4th downs that he can with the personnel he has available and most importantly, he isn’t winning the games he can win. That’s it.
This has nothing to do with Trask or Brady or your Mom. This is a production league and Baker isn’t producing. Its not difficult to find a QB to miss open WRs.
Baker’s time is running out and everyone can feel this. You can only use the injuries as an excuse for so long. If Baker is as good as you say he is he would’ve at least got the team to midfield on that last drive vs the Saints right? He needs to play better.
December 11th, 2025 at 12:46 pm
Bring Kyle Back!!!
December 11th, 2025 at 12:50 pm
Clueless Todd allowed his QB to run around like a damned fool.
December 11th, 2025 at 12:57 pm
Baker will win and do what it takes when it’s time ,,, I’m pretty sure they thought they could get by last week without Big Mike and JMac ,,, well now it’s time and against Carolina you will see the win at all cost Bake Show ,,,. And who is this Trask person you guys keep talking about ,, I third looking up his starts but there is very little for a guy his age
December 11th, 2025 at 1:02 pm
The injuries and the fact that he’s been a journey man is probably also a factor. You just get what you get with him; one point he looks elite other points he’s extremely sporadic. This is just who he is, and a lot of fans just don’t want to admit this. At one point he was one 2 teams in one year, so the situation is what it is. You will never question his effort at all, on the other end the journey man QBs are what they are, give you highlights then they regress back to what they are.
December 11th, 2025 at 1:06 pm
Let’s see. LT injured. WR 1, 2 and 3 injured. WR 4 hit rookie wall. RB 1 out for week. LG out. RG out. RY out. Rookie OC. And the Defense has quit on him.
It’s not a mystery.
December 11th, 2025 at 1:07 pm
“MikeBuc
What does any of this have to do with Trask?”
Like I said . You are not fooling anyone kid. This whole baker bois name nonsense tracks right back to Trask back in the hilarious days when you claimed he was the savior being buried on the bench. Anyone who has read this blog for two years knows that fact. Try fooling the newbies
This is ALLLLLL About Trask and wanting to be right on some level to ease the pain. This why you a e DELUSIONAL that Baker’s time is “running out” the dude was inconsideration for MVP a few weeks but the glazers are going to run him out of town in the next two games or so – For WHO?
Only a Traskie think that makes sense
“This has nothing to do with Trask or Brady or your Mom. ”
When did anyone’s mom come into a discussion about Football little fry? Need we any more evidence of your emotional investment? I can’t think of how my mom would have been involved unless your mom mentioned she liked her cookies the last time she was here. That was pretty fast for Tuesday.
December 11th, 2025 at 1:09 pm
@ATLBUC
Bring Kyle Back!!!
—–
There ya go. At least an honest man
December 11th, 2025 at 1:13 pm
Diego Pavia will be available when the Bucs pick(wherever that may be). Pavia is extremely accurate on the downfield throws and has great escapability when the pocket breaks down as well as being very fast at 4.4. Pavia will be the Lamar Jackson of this years draft.
December 11th, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Man a lot of you about to have your world shook when this team retains baker and Todd to run it back next year.
The fact that some of
You are calling for a rebuild show your true colors and probably why you’re still working a minimum wage 9-5
December 11th, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Baker not playing well is Mike Evans’s fault. He’s our man separator. Once he went out, defenses were able to focus on the other wr’s and shut them down.
I’ll bet Baker looks like a brand new QB tonight!
December 11th, 2025 at 1:21 pm
Trask nor Jameis are coming back. Get over it.
December 11th, 2025 at 1:23 pm
[Joe *never* questioned Mayfield’s leadership. That’s an outright lie. That’s a crime against Joe making up stuff that he didn’t say. Joe has spent the better part of two years defending Mayfield. What Joe did question, which is a fair question, is why has Mayfield struggled so badly? And Joe did wonder — fairly — if Mayfield’s really bad play of late — perhaps the worst of his career — may give the Glazers pause before they throw a truckload of cash at him. Those are all reasonable questions. Not once did Joe question Mayfield’s leadership and/or heart. Careful putting lies in Joe’s mouth. — Joe]
December 11th, 2025 at 1:29 pm
“Man a lot of you about to have your world shook when this team retains baker and Todd to run it back next year.”
Got no problem with both coming back, but I think Baker needs a shorter leash and a QB competition with a taller, more atheltic, and younger alternate behind him, maybe two. Wouldn’t be mad drafting one of these guys:
-Sam Leavitt
-Jaiden Maivia
-Darian Mensah
Or signing Max Johnson(Brads’ kid) as a UDFA as he’s projected to be. We need to start looking at other doors like the 2020 offseason imo.
December 11th, 2025 at 1:36 pm
Here comes MoonBall!!!
December 11th, 2025 at 1:37 pm
Bowles wants to come back? Fine by me if he can get them into the playoffs and win at least one. Something to make it see like they are heading in the right direction.
But the climb is a high incline.
It’s not his fault they had all of these injuries.
It is his fault that the defensive schemes are trashy and being run by trash quitters.
December 11th, 2025 at 1:47 pm
Todd loses tonight doesn’t make playoffs and he’s done. Baker all heart is also not the answer. Need to clean house starting with Jason and all the coaching staff. Tom Moore can stay if he wants. He’s 86. He’s due respect.
December 11th, 2025 at 1:49 pm
Bee Says:
December 11th, 2025 at 12:45 pm
Baker isn’t converting the 3rd and 4th downs that he can with the personnel
++++++++++++++++++++
So, you are saying that Griz calls for a handoff to Bucky up the A gap, Bucky gets stuffed and it’s Bakers fault?
Sure. Don’t know why you hate the guy – other than being a Gator fan – but nothing you say makes any sense.
You hate him for no good reason. And have no experience playing or coaching the game.
If all of you “fans of the Bucs” get your way, more than likely this will lead to a lost decade.
December 11th, 2025 at 1:57 pm
no bredeson, no mauch for the entire year is quite the problem…
i wonder what the line will look like now…
can we do haggard and feeney…?
haggard or jordan in for bredeson…?
what’s to come from this OL
December 11th, 2025 at 2:01 pm
Jcscycles
Sir, why is it hate to point out how inaccurate Baker is? I’m talking about the things Baker has control of and that’s where he throws the ball and when he throws it.
Baker fans blame everything but Baker when it comes to his play on the field. I could be a Red Sox fan and that doesn’t mean a thing. Baker isn’t playing well and it’s his fault just like it was his fault when he was playing better at the start of the season.
Just because someone points out obvious bad play doesn’t make them a hater.
December 11th, 2025 at 2:05 pm
Baker is not a quarterback that throws well under pressure because he can’t see over the pass rushers coming at him. His height limits his vision to see passing lanes. The OC isn’t doing him any favors by not getting the ball out to any tight end not named Otton. Tight ends are a quarterback under pressure’s best friend.
Teams around the league have reliable well coached tight ends that can find a soft spot and catch it for those 10-12 yard gains. They do it every week vs the Bucs but we don’t have an OC that understands that.
Baker also needs to stop forcing the ball into the middle of the field. Bucs don’t throw enough outside the hash marks and crossing and slants
December 11th, 2025 at 2:11 pm
Sun, Dec 10, 2023 — Bucs edge out a win vs the Falcons on the road, but only after overcoming yet another middling game by Baker, who threw for 144 yards, while averaging just 5 yards per attempt – and that was indoors in perfect weather conditions. Questions are all about who will be the Bucs QB in 2024, because it likely wouldn’t be Baker after a long mid-season slump.
Then, out of the blue, with 4 games left, the Bucs go on the road to play the Packers, and Baker finally snaps out of it, and has the best game of his career up to that point, with 381 yards, 4 TDs and a perfect passer rating. Then he follows it up with that I would say was an even more impressive game vs the Jags.
That’s what I expect to see tonight. I expect the long slump to end, for Baker to have a huge night. He’s running out of time, it needs to happen now if it’s going to happen, and tonight is the night.
December 11th, 2025 at 2:17 pm
Exactly.
Playoffs are in our face and we control our own destiny. I’d rather have it that way than be on the outside trying to get it. I don’t care if this team doesn’t look like they’ll make it past the wild card round, I’ve been watching football long enough to know one week can turn your season around, especially in December.
It’s not time to talk about hiring coaches or the draft.
December 11th, 2025 at 2:24 pm
WBL. Look at what Mayfield brings to the table. Highest playoff QB passer rating (5 or more games) any QB in history. As durable as any QB in the league the last 8 years. 4th QB in history with numbers like last year. More 4th qtr. comebacks any QB in history in one season-and I suspect he adds to that record these last few games. Generates respect from teammates, community, and fans. Have you gone bonkers WBL? The Glazers aren’t crazy just because you are. But you are funny.
December 11th, 2025 at 2:26 pm
Bowles will blame the lost season on Baker mark my words
December 11th, 2025 at 2:28 pm
Bee Says:
December 11th, 2025 at 2:01 pm
Jcscycles
Sir, why is it hate to point out how inaccurate Baker is.
±++++++++++++++++
Never called you a hater. You are entitled to your opinions.
Good luck in the future.
December 11th, 2025 at 2:29 pm
🏈 Baker is getting hit constantly because the oline has been decimated by injuries
🏈 We all knew that sooner or later, he would get injured because of that
🏈 Because we don’t have a decent backup (you just know Teddy was a Bowles thing), Mayfield cannot take time off to heal properly
🏈 Because of all this, Mayfield has to worry about his protection constantly.
🏈 Injuries to the offense have limited his options. He can’t throw to EE if EE is constantly injured
🏈 Godwin back and playing okay will help, but Baker needs time to throw…and the OL isn’t giving it to him
🏈 The backup WRs have not been reliable since the bye.
All of these things are true. It isn’t just one thing.
December 11th, 2025 at 2:30 pm
The Bucs have practically the same team on offense when Baker looked great against Seattle. The only difference since then is hes been injured. So he is either still injured or he has as well as the rest of the offense has regressed to the bottom of the league statistically.
December 11th, 2025 at 2:32 pm
eoschwartz Says:
December 11th, 2025 at 2:05 pm
“Baker is not a quarterback that throws well under pressure because he can’t see over the pass rushers coming at him. His height limits his vision to see passing lanes.”
This theory is not true.
If it were true he would not have done so well before the bye week. He sees fine.
December 11th, 2025 at 2:33 pm
CChead, this IS NOT the same team.
December 11th, 2025 at 2:34 pm
I’m putting money on the Falcons.
It’s more of a bet on the inept defensive scheme of Bowles.
And if I lose it means the Bucs won the game.
That way it’s a win no matter what.
Especially if Bowles gets fired. The we all win big.
December 11th, 2025 at 2:34 pm
Bee Says:
December 11th, 2025 at 2:01 pm
Jcscycles
Sir, why is it hate to point out how inaccurate Baker is.
±++++++++++++++++
Never called you a hater. You are entitled to your opinions.
Good luck in the future.
Oops – I did.
Sorry about that. Won;t bother to interact again.
I’m originally from Colorado so will just stick to the Broncos.
They win – and the fans are less crazy….!
December 11th, 2025 at 2:37 pm
CChead Says:
December 11th, 2025 at 2:30 pm
The Bucs have practically the same team on offense when Baker looked great against Seattle. The only difference since then is hes been injured. So he is either still injured or he has as well as the rest of the offense has regressed to the bottom of the league statistically.
————
Or he’s just a very inconsistent QB, which was his rep before he got here, and has always been the tease with him. He can look good for a while, then disappear as he gets happy feet, holds the ball, misses guys who are wide open.
That’s also what Coen saw last year, which is why he changed up the offense and went to the quick passing short game, in which it gives Baker less time to think – and that’s when he seems to excel. Additionally Baker is best in the short game, when he gets the ball out quickly, or is forced to move around and keep a play alive –and throw short. It’s also why all offseason I was bemoaning all the nonsense about they’re going to throw deep more – Baker isn’t good throwing deep, he’s way too inaccurate, which we see all the time.
In any case, with inconsistency comes random great games and hot streaks, and I think we’re due for one tonight.
December 11th, 2025 at 2:38 pm
All the above, but if they coach better & play better…
December 11th, 2025 at 2:38 pm
@Kenton
What has he done lately? Serious question, what difference is he making as the primary ball handler for our mid to bottom ranked offense. Also, do you think 2024 lightening strikes again before he call it a career? Last year is looking like an outlier and this year he’s looking closer to who he was before Tampa GAVE HIM a home, not the other way around.
December 11th, 2025 at 2:41 pm
If all you nay sayers about Baker is true, then why didn’t TOM Terrific lead the Bucs to back to back Super Bowl wins? Where their other factors beyond his control?
December 11th, 2025 at 2:45 pm
LISTEN im not for keeping Bowles. Ive had it with the trash defense but lets not be so dumb and blame him for the offensive struggles. Some of yall are so up tight about Bowles that even if the beer costs to much it’s his fault.
December 11th, 2025 at 2:47 pm
Okiejim – LOL! Only a Baker Boi would try to defend their Lord and Savior by saying, “oh yeah, well why didn’t Brady win TWO Super Bowls in a row then while he was here.”
I’ll give you this much, it literally made me laugh out loud at how stupid it was.
December 11th, 2025 at 2:48 pm
Okiejim… Giselle Bundchen
December 11th, 2025 at 2:54 pm
Baker has issues with his accuracy. Some games he’s on, a lot of games he’s off.
That’s the reality no one wants to talk about.
December 11th, 2025 at 2:56 pm
As for the “trash defense” bullcrap…
Bucs defensive rankings:
Points against – 10th in the NFL
Yards against – 12th in the NFL
Turnovers forced – 7th in the NFL
Sacks – 14th in the NFL
Bucs offensive rankings:
Points for – 18th in the NFL
Yards for – 22nd in the NFL
Yards per play – 25th in the NFL
Sacks given up – 10th in the NFL
The defense has actually been above average, while the offense has been below average. And the idea Baker has been under constant pressure and getting sacked, not true either.
December 11th, 2025 at 2:58 pm
Mr. Munch, that was a question that was not in defense of Baker, but from a perspective of those quarterbacks that have to have quality players around them to be successful and those who are successful regardless of whose blocking, receiving or running! Baker has to have perfection around him but most of the time Tom Terrific didn’t. So what happened in the second season he had with Tampa?
December 11th, 2025 at 2:59 pm
SB~LV Says:
December 11th, 2025 at 10:58 am
The only strategy should be getting the highest draft slot in 2026.
^^^^^
stratagem and strategy are not the same thing
December 11th, 2025 at 3:00 pm
@Rod
Or he’s just a very inconsistent QB, which was his rep before he got here, and has always been the tease with him.
—-
as usual your argument makes no sense. Inconsistency is over a span of games. He put together over a year an ad half of good football with us already
an no its not this game or never. We all know the angle being played here. Its a short week and there’s the hope by the usuals that he will do badly with just Mike’s first game back so you can say its time for him to go. No one is being fooled that any of the trask (and one Jameis diehard….lol) supporters are rooting for a win and his good play.
We’ve all seen you guys root against the bucs for the sake of Trask and now the memory of him
by the way whose the backup for Cousin’s …lololol
December 11th, 2025 at 3:09 pm
I question those of you blaming Baker for this teams problems. First the Panthers and the Jags have greatly improved this season after hiring former BUCS coaches. The BUCS have greatly regressed the second half of the season. That=? COACHING!!! Poor coaching, and not addressing team needs in the draft are the biggest part of the problem. Baker told us there is no killer instinct on this team and that is because Todd instills nothing in anyone, especially killer instinct. The bad coaching, not addressing issues like, having no pass rush, an aging O-line, and our bad secondary, and abysmal tackling, just for starters, are things this team can no longer rise above, no matter how well Baker plays. He gets a pass for his one bad game, the New Orleans game, because IMO Baker has carried this teams weight all season and he is the ONLY reason we were ever in it. Baker has also played hurt and he has played with what amounts to a new team every week due to injuries. Instead of criticizing the best thing we have on this team, we should be thanking him for not quitting or sitting like most of the rest of the players do. I blame Jason Licht just as much as Todd. He has just outright refused to address the needs of this team in the past 4 drafts.. I really like Tez and Emeka but they are both a head shorter than Evans or Goodwin. Against the Bills, Sterling Shepherd, who was already a BUC, had more completions than the rest combined. So that tells me that we should have focused in the draft on what cost us the past 3 season and now this one. No pass rush, and a lousy secondary which gets us picked apart by every rookie in the league. That is a coaching problem not a Baker. problem. As for the recent inaccuracy, I see mistakes being made by third string rookie receivers that are being blamed on Baker. I guess people don’t understand that there are things veterans do that help their QB that rookies haven’t learned yet. Again that is inexperience and poor coaching, not Baker. Is he perfect, NO. He does make mistakes an he also makes up for them. Hate him all you want. But don’t blame him for things he is not responsible for.
December 11th, 2025 at 3:10 pm
MikeBuc Says:
as usual your argument makes no sense. Inconsistency is over a span of games. He put together over a year an ad half of good football with us already
————-
In 2023, he had an extended slump, just like now, before getting hot for a couple of games with 4 and 3 weeks left in the season, then followed it up with two of his worst games ever to close out 2023, needing to bail him out in Carolina just to make the playoffs. Then, in the playoffs he has a good game vs the Eagles, then goes to Detroit, with 2 mins left, all his timeouts, game on the line, he promptly throws an INT.
Then in 2024, starts off hot, then goes into a slump, then Coen changes the offense for the Eagles game, gets hot again, before going into another slump, before getting hot again down the stretch. Then in the playoffs, after a huge 4th quarter goal line stand by the defense, Baker gets the ball back with a chance to go up two scores and put the game away, and he promptly turns it over.
Then this year, starts off good, before going into an extended slump once again. Now we await the breakout, which hopefully happens tonight.
There was a reason he was on his 4th team in a year when he got here, and why he got a very middling contract after 2023. Because teams don’t trust him because he’s inconsistent, which we’re seeing once again this year.
December 11th, 2025 at 3:11 pm
Rod can you give the rankings from week 10 until now?
December 11th, 2025 at 3:12 pm
Okiejim Says:
December 11th, 2025 at 2:58 pm
Mr. Munch, that was a question that was not in defense of Baker, but from a perspective of those quarterbacks that have to have quality players around them to be successful and those who are successful regardless of whose blocking, receiving or running! Baker has to have perfection around him but most of the time Tom Terrific didn’t. So what happened in the second season he had with Tampa?
———
Brady took the team to a 13-4 record, and barely lost in the playoffs to the SB champ.
Again, I fail to see how Baker plays into this comparison. The team is 7-6 after Baker choked with the game on the line vs a terrible Saints team.
December 11th, 2025 at 3:15 pm
“And the idea Baker has been under constant pressure and getting sacked, not true either.”
Not even top of most pressure QBs in the league as of today, in fact, he’s top of the bottom 3rd. It’s such a bad, blanket excuse. Along with WRs not getting separation.
The they say “his footwork is fine” next time you watch a Patrick Mahomes or Jared Goff or Matt Stafford or Dak Prescott play, just watch their feet and where they get the torque from. I’ll bet any of you any amount of money, you rarely see them have to do a hop step that resembles a dunk gather and that because Bakers’ platform to throw from is as inconsistency as his ability to throw the ball with accuracy.
But by all mean, Baker bros plz tell me how many TDs he’s thrown the last 2 years, because that an acknowledgement of the issue at hand lol
December 11th, 2025 at 3:15 pm
@rod
“The defense has actually been above average, while the offense has been below average.”
——–
Ladies and gentlemen need we anymore evidence of the insanity among a certain group of Buc “fans”?
trying to contort some stats to convince us we don’t see what we see when we watch the games. Our defense is above average eh? What an epic fail!!
tell me again its not about Baker hate and trask love. Our defense is great and its all baker’s fault. I need another good laugh
December 11th, 2025 at 3:19 pm
Okiejim to answer your question… Brady lost a pretty significant amount of weight during his stressful divorce from Giselle. There was a lot going through the ol noggin. He was a shell of the SBLV season Brady
December 11th, 2025 at 3:20 pm
WBL. He’s always been record setting. First year at Cleveland. Team lost 31 of 32. Started 13 games. 6-6-1. Should have been 7-6-1. NFL record for rookie TD passes. 16 game pace 4000 yards. Incredible. Crazy Browns fired the coach but by Baker’s 3rd year hung 48 on Pittsburgh in playoffs. Upon shoulder injury 4th year Stefanski let him play through knowing surgery required. Baker said I’m playing I’ll get surgery when season is over. Injured he still won 6 or 7 games. Season over they said sorry baker we’re moving to a sexual predator. In 35 years Cleveland has won a playoff game. With Baker. No more. Baker Mayfield was a great QB long before he got to Tampa. He has always thrown tons of TD passes for tons of yards. Reasonable amount of turnovers. The best pocket presence of any QB I know of and idiots here say happy feet. Jalen Hurts turned the ball over 5 times Sunday. He’s never been an average QB WBL. He’s an elite QB talent with elite accuracy. He makes every throw but these goofballs trying to set a narrative he’s average. He’s never been average anywhere he’s played.
December 11th, 2025 at 3:22 pm
MikeBuc Says:
trying to contort some stats to convince us we don’t see what we see
————-
Yeah, coming off a week where Baker has 122 yards passing, an INT, had the ball in his hands with a chance to win the game and goes 4 and out … and you and everyone else says the defense was the issue because it didn’t hold the Saints under 20 points (even as all the TDs the defense gave up came from midfield, including twice on the Bucs side of the field).
BUT TRICKERY WITH STATS – YOU’RE BEING BAMBOOZLED WITH TRICKY NUMBERS BY THIS MASTER MANIPULATOR!!!
lol!
December 11th, 2025 at 3:27 pm
Not Gus Swayze Says, stress can deal more damage than an actual injury! That explains a lot! Thanks for info.
December 11th, 2025 at 3:28 pm
Munch….he runs like Jim Kiick
December 11th, 2025 at 3:28 pm
Why not both?
Baker has been playing poorly the last month and a half.
Todd’s defense has a toothless edge rush, and predictably get eaten alive over the middle, soft coverage. Where the hell is Winfield Jr?
Licht: I’ll sogn JPP for an edge rush, but refuse to trade for a proven defensive lineman: Parson, Jalen Phillips, Quinnen Williams. And I’d rather draft Hall, Braswell, Tryon-Shoyinka, Kancey, etc. all
Of whom are either hurt or invisible on the field. Damn those picks if they don’t produce!
We need an edge rush at the top
Of the list.
December 11th, 2025 at 3:29 pm
Why are all the people who blame the defense for everything, why are their predictions for tonight’s game all like…
35-14
38-17
32-10
You realize that the offense has a say in the outcome as well? At least make it like 35-32 or something, then you can complain about the defense while saying the offense did it’s job. Put some effort into your posts, people.
December 11th, 2025 at 3:33 pm
@rod
Then in 2024, starts off hot, then goes into a slump,
——–
Thanks for proving my point as to the weakness of your logic. Baker had a STELLAR year in 2024 . You just tried blowing smoke up our skirts about the defense being “above average” by twisting some stats but you abandon Baker’s stats last year to claim he is middling.
tells us everything need to know about your “analysis” skills. Hate aint logic kid. You just proved that again
December 11th, 2025 at 3:34 pm
SteveK Says:
December 11th, 2025 at 3:28 pm
Why not both?
Baker has been playing poorly the last month and a half.
Todd’s defense has a toothless edge rush, and predictably get eaten alive over the middle, soft coverage. Where the hell is Winfield Jr?
———-
Well the issue is the 95% of stories being about how the defense is the worst in the NFL and the cause of all wrongs, while 5% of stories are about Baker doesn’t seem right, as he’s handled with kid gloves and no one in the media calls him out for what has been some terrible QB play for a while now.
But I don’t disagree in general, however some pushback is warranted.
Also, where is Winfield? You answered it yourself – he’s trapped in Bowles super soft garbage zone defense. When you watch the ALL22, Bowles has him as the last man back in most situations, and the coverage is so soft, when teams pass, they’ve always got someone underneath and in the middle wide open, so Winfield, by design, just isn’t involved that often. If people want to complain about the defense, it shouldn’t be about sacks, it should be about the zone defense, playing so soft, wasting talent by having them stand around 25 yards down the field on every play.
December 11th, 2025 at 3:40 pm
Sounds like to me Bowles and possibly Baker are just setting up teams for some big surprises during the playoffs. LOL
December 11th, 2025 at 3:52 pm
Rod Munch. You showed stats about points for and points against. 23 ppg offense. 25 ppg against defense. 22 nfl teams allow less than 25 ppg. 15 nfl teams score more than 23 a game. So, according to those stats the defense does suck even worse than the offense. I’m not gonna have to explain math to you am I Rod?
December 11th, 2025 at 3:58 pm
We may not gel tonight but we only have to win 2 games to get the first playoff game at home. Provided we can make those 2 wins against Carolina. With our top 5 receivers healthy we’re going to right this ship and Todd and Baker are going to give Dave Canales a couple of resounding spankings and then we’re making a run.
December 11th, 2025 at 3:59 pm
I think eoscwartz has a point. One way that teams went after Brady was up the middle to pressure him and he is 6’5″ and Baker is 6 foot or so that would also affect him. I don’t why they are running Otten over the middle on crosses. Tight ends are just not as fast as a good slot receiver. Throw him open along the sidelines and let him rumble for a first down as he was at his best. RB”s should be the outlets since they are often being left open with ten yards of green ahead of them.
December 11th, 2025 at 4:00 pm
Baker has had plenty enough time to throw this season on most occasions. Just as much as anyone else. There have been several times with clean pockets and he has rushed throws and missed wide open receivers badly. Other times he has thrown way behind them and sometimes not even close. He has not looked good at all. It is what it is. You can’t give him all the credit when things are going great and then fail to place any of the blame on him when they are not. He is the starting QB. That is not how it works.
December 11th, 2025 at 4:01 pm
@rod
and you and everyone else says the defense was the issue because it didn’t hold the Saints under 20 points
——–
Strawman fallacy – go look it up. I never stated any such thing.
Now would we have needed the last four and out if our number 1 receiver caught the TD? Nope. However the discussion was not about one game against the saints.
You just pivoted to that because you know you look magnitudes worse than any name you have ever called anyone here for the drop dead stupid claim Bowles has been running an above average defense and its all on Baker’s offense .
anyone that has been watching GAMES plural knows thats nonsense.
As usual your logic can’t hold up so you constantly flip flop from one cherry picked metric to another and even run away from the metrics you used previously when it betrays your nonsense for what it is.
December 11th, 2025 at 4:12 pm
“He makes every throw but these goofballs trying to set a narrative he’s average. He’s never been average anywhere he’s played.”
he was bad at the panther’s. cannot tell a lie. Thats about it. Everywhere else he’s been good when healthy
Sam Darnold however makes me give him a pass. Says something when multiple QBs of a team look like they don’t belong in the NFL and leave and have great success.
December 11th, 2025 at 4:14 pm
Munchkin, sometimes you say smart things.
And then you have to ruin it.
You hate Baker. It’s clear.
And don’t cite me stats for this Defense. They are trash. SVD. Diaby. Zyon, your pet rock. Winfield is a shell of his past. Reddick. David is mediocre now. Not hai fault.
The Defense can’t hold a lead. They could not even stop decrepit NO on the first drive.
Get some smelling salts.
December 11th, 2025 at 4:45 pm
Well, down two starting guards and a bum left shoulder, after playing through another vague injury he dealt with for a few weeks… yeah you bet he is uncomfortable.