How Much Of Losing Streak Is On Baker Mayfield?
December 17th, 2025
Points finger at Bucs QB.
Let Joe be clear on this: Joe firmly believes the Bucs’ defense is why the team went from perhaps being a No. 1 seed to now fighting for their playoff lives.
Having typed that, it hasn’t helped Baker Mayfield seems to be in the worst slump of his Bucs days. Fortunately, Mayfield is showing signs he’s climbing out of the rut.
On the hollering show “The Arena — Gridiron,” featuring former Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib and the notorious provocateur Skip Bayless (former Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy often appears but not on this episode), the subject was how much has Mayfield’s subpar play since the bye week hurt Tampa Bay.
Bayless seemed to want to absolve Mayfield of any responsibility but not Talib, who thinks Mayfield’s bad play has a lot to do with the losing.
Skip Bayless: Baker Mayfield “has not played to Baker’s ability, the last five games. We have three games to go. So we’ll see.
Aqib Talib: “We can’t put him on a pedestal, Skip. We have to look at his whole career. His whole career has been pretty much like this season. I ain’t saying it is all on Baker. But it’s little more than 15 percent. … Like 60/40.
Bayless: “I’m going to give you 60 on this. Baker deserves 60 on this just because a quarterback always deserves the most blame.
Well, Mayfield surely wasn’t the culprit on Thursday night. No, he wasn’t great. His late pick and another poor throw didn’t help, but Mayfield did have his best game in over a month.
Maybe that’s because Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan returned and the cavalry has arrived? Maybe because Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard finally used the tight end position as a weapon?
No, Mayfield wasn’t perfect but he did have arguably his best game since the Bucs lost to New England. Hopefully, that’s a good sign for the next three weeks and into the playoffs.
@arenagridiron How much is Baker to blame for the Bucs struggles right now? #buccaneers #gobucs #nfl ♬ original sound – ArenaGridiron
December 17th, 2025 at 7:05 am
None
He is the LEAST on the teams problems
If everyone played with his passion we wouldn’t be having these head chopping conversations
December 17th, 2025 at 7:09 am
I posted this last week and it’s still true.
Baker Mayfield has 59 wins and 61 losses over his career. He is what his record says he is.
He is an average NFL quarterback who, if given enough help he will win games.
December 17th, 2025 at 7:18 am
Baker is a servicable QB. He’ll never be confused with Josh Allen who can carry a team on his back. He’s good enough to win with, but he needs more help than an elite talent like Allen. Losing Coen really has set him back. Coaching matters. People were calling Lawerence a bust. Under Coen he’s been improving every week, putting up 48 points last week. If the Bucs promoted Coen, and he got to pick his DC like he has in J Ville, we’d be contending for the NFC title at the very least. Bowles has to go, take Licht with him.
December 17th, 2025 at 7:20 am
If Baker would’ve had the accuracy to get EE the ball he would’ve been the hero but he choked. No, it’s definitely not all his fault but during the losing streak the offense could’ve put some the games away and didn’t.
Talib is right, Baker is playing the way he always has. Flashes of brilliance here and there but mostly average to below average play overall.
Can he make better decisions and be more accurate? We’ll see
December 17th, 2025 at 7:21 am
It’s pretty easy to point to that late INT being the killer but the defense couldn’t stop a fourth amd a mile, so…
December 17th, 2025 at 7:29 am
I don’t even look at the INT being the killer. It’s the fact that we were 6 plays from closing out the game and couldn’t get a 1st down. This team was rolling with 1st downs all game until the 4th quarter. That’s on Baker sorry.
December 17th, 2025 at 7:29 am
Hodad, I concur, Baker really misses Coen. It’s also true that most teams have a giant, reliable, field chewing safety valve of a tight end who is ALWAYS open. We do not have that. Give Culp a chance, I know he’s not a huge guy but he seems sure handed and he is fast.
December 17th, 2025 at 7:38 am
Our interior O line has been a problem all year, mix that with some inconsistent playcalling and of course the Offense will slump. No excuses now. We could have the 4 best receiver combination in NFL history. Get creative Grizz, get Mayfield outside the pocket more. Gotta overcome your weak link, hint, his last name starts with an F.
December 17th, 2025 at 7:39 am
lol… We suffered 5 years of Jamyth and there were still people defending him on this page!
The slumps over the past 3 years have had NOTHING to do with Baker, sure he has individually had bad games but overall he’s the LEAST of our concerns.
He was playing MVP football at the beginning of the year….
December 17th, 2025 at 7:42 am
Poor Defense, un-Special Teams, and injuries have gutted this team, simple as that. Can’t blame Baker for those.
December 17th, 2025 at 7:43 am
O-line play is Baker’s problem now, and really most of the season, especially the past half dozen games or so. They haven’t been very good, but that’s because of all the injuries this year. I think that would be the case with any teams QB if their o-line’s were decimated by injuries.
That’s where having an experienced OC to get creative to compensate for that would have come in handy…obviously we don’t have that!
December 17th, 2025 at 7:43 am
IMO it’s certainly not none and it’s certainly not 60%.
I agree he is not a tier one qb. He needs a lot of things to go right around him to put up tier one stats. I don’t think he’ll ever get there but if he did he would need an offensive HC that understands the development of a qb, even into the middle part of their careers. If you watched Brady in NE, he was not at the ‘goat’ level until they started investing in weapons around him. After welker and moss left Brady was able to evolve into throwing to TEs and no name receivers. It’s because he was confident enough to run the entire offense. That had so much to do with Mcdaniels.
Baker is not making enough of the pre snap reads. You can tell because he’s taking too many hits and he’s nervous in the pocket. Is some of that on the line? Of course. Especially up the middle and that’s why he’s in such a hurry to get rid of the ball and/or hold onto it to avoid the middle rush to make a play with his legs. But there are other times where he’s missing the free rusher and it’s on him.
It’s understandable – he’s been beat up. Not having enough weapons on the outside winning quick enough and not having enough guys in front of him keeping him clean.
Next year with enough health (and you can’t count on Godwin, McMillan, Evans or Luke) hopefully he can bounce back and return to tier two form and keep developing.
I think the team is going to need more investment into the line and another weapon on the outside in addition to the large haul we will need on defense.
December 17th, 2025 at 7:44 am
Oh yeah, and make Otton a backup.
December 17th, 2025 at 7:50 am
Didn’t realize a quarterback has to complete every pass. Everyone has bad throws everyone has inaccurate throws, even Tristan Wirfs has bad games this year I have no idea what’s going on with this team but I do know when they were 6-2 this defense was decent. During the collapse Bowles finally got exposed like he does every year. This year injuries are no excuse for the defense
December 17th, 2025 at 7:52 am
I think Baker has been hurt. He is missing throws. If he hits Ebuka and doesn’t throe the ball behind him, Game over. Top QB’s make that throw.
December 17th, 2025 at 7:56 am
Bucs lost the ATL game because of the defense blowing a 14pt lead. Bucs didn’t win that game because Baker couldn’t complete a pass to JMac. It was a team loss. Time to get right in Carolina on Sunday.
December 17th, 2025 at 7:59 am
There’s a video on YouTube of the all 22 against the falcons. All Baker haters should watch it.
The GCG combo is a HUGE problem. Two back up guards, you expect sub par play but Barton is a major disappointment. He’s dangerously close to bust status. At least at center. Baker missed some throws. The film highlights that as well, but Baker is not the problem.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:04 am
What a joke. Mayfield playing behind a jv line with jv receivers and his own injuries gets raked over the coals by a bunch of duds. Through it all Mayfield is still on pace to have a better Year3 with Tampa than Year 1. If people think being an NFL qb is a game of perfect, way past time to get real. Without Mayfield this team would be 3-11. With Mayfield and a non existent defense, this team ends the season 9-8 or 10-7. We will soon see.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:06 am
99% Bowles 1% Baker
December 17th, 2025 at 8:08 am
Baker has been a smidge above lousy since Detroit. Now, whether that’s because of injuries, Xs and Os, or a combination of both, it’s hard to say. But he’s missing guys high, low, wide and short. He’s not seeing open receivers-wide open receivers-too. It’s a problem.
What’s not a problem is the dude’s heart. His effort. His willingness to lay it on the line for his team.
Gotta take the good with the bad Baker.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:08 am
Are we going to just forget that Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were injured or coming off injury? Yes, Baker was inaccurate on key throws, that is on him, but he is also dealing with an injury and what about that SIEVE of an OL in the last two games?
Literally the OL has regressed and dealing with their own injuries. But, this is a collective failure that starts with coaching.
Are we going to blame the players for the Special Teams debacle? All of a sudden those guys forgot how to cover kicks?
December 17th, 2025 at 8:09 am
SB~LV
You brought up Winston, out of curiosity I looked up his career w/l record.
44 wins and 64 losses.
Granted, Winston has been a backup since he was let go from Tampa but his record isn’t terribly different from Baker’s.
And for the record, the Rams wanted to keep Baker, as a backup.
All that said, I think Baker is a decent quarterback. He just needs everything to go right. For all the passion and “moxie” he plays the game with he can’t put a team on his back and carry the day.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:10 am
Taking an opportunity to close the game with a score, and giving the ball back to the opposing team is just bad football.
No way to argue that around, and who knows we score there and go up 2 possessions after burning more clock maybe 3 & 28 doesn’t even happen or becomes less significant. Situational football is a thing, happened in the playoffs the last two trips too.
Before that play we were +1 in the turnover battle, it’s pretty well documented teams winning the turnover margin win NFL games 70% of the time. For the record, we’re +9 in that same area on the season.
Turnovers are game changers, we’ve benefitted from them and we’ve been victimized as a team, but that’s also another area this offense has struggled with is cashing turnovers in for touchdowns, scoring points in the redzone, 4th quarter which we rank 29th of 32 teams.
Standards of QB play in this fanbase are low, a lot of you guys give Baker a pass because he tries really, really, hard which is his best attribute because not like he’s a disciple of his craft or some difference making athlete physically.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:10 am
As I posted earlier the issue is not one player that is causing the losses. You have to take a hard look at the offensive and defensive lines. The offensive line is very poor at run blocking schemes. That’s why we can’t make one yard up the middle. When the running backs try to go wide they are stuffed, many times for losses. Pass blocking has also been poor where a four man rush almost always creates pressure on the QB.
Our defensive line puts very little pressure on the qb without a blitz package. The good teams don’t need to blitz on passing downs.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:16 am
The first 6-7 weeks he looked MVP-ish, even with backup WR’s, then the train came off the tracks. The Lions figured out that said backups can’t defeat man coverage, Baker got hurt, lost Bredeson, I would place a $100 wager that Baker has some sort of injury that will require off-season surgery.
Yeah, I think he’s got happy feet too, line Brady did that last season. Getting hit hurts too much
December 17th, 2025 at 8:19 am
Just imagine if we had Coen coaching Baker right now. How many pts we’d be scoring!
December 17th, 2025 at 8:20 am
“Joe firmly believes the Bucs’ defense is why the team went from perhaps being a No. 1 seed to now fighting for their playoff lives.”
I agree, and I would add injuries to the O-line have directly hurt Baker’s performance even more. NOTHING affects a QB like a weak O-line. By comparison, Mahomes drop off this season is directly related to the injuries for his O-line.
HOWEVER, if I looked at it the way the Baker haters, like Munch and Warren see it, I would say look at Josh Allen’s play. His defense sucks, it might be worse than the Bucs D. Yet, Allen is in serious running for MVP. The Bucs saw it first hand. Allen is the reason the Bills are winning and Baker needs to play better for us to succeed.
With ME and McMillan back, we have a better chance for Baker to get his head right and turn it around than to hope for a miracle from the dreadfully bad Bucs D and their coach.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:24 am
My answers are ONLY in the context of this team and the players around Baker,
Is he among the top QB’s in the NFL today, no .
But he would probably have the same results that the best QB’s in the NFL if he was playing on their teams.
Baker is MORE than capable and the least of the franchise’s worries this year.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:25 am
35% Baker
15% Grizz
10% Licht
40% Bowles
Turnovers in the 4th quarter are nothing new with baker….
-INT vs DET in the playoffs
-Fumble vs WASH in the playoffs
-INT and missed throw vs ATL
the list goes on lol…him being hurt isnt an excuse…most players are “hurt” in DEC….KILLER INSTICT that baker talks aboput is him hitting EE2 for a 1st down or not forcing the ball to a WR when they are double covered…
Grizz is over his head…too predictable and doesnt know how to stay with the run game…
Licht shouldve traded for an edge player or interior olineman
Bowles is embarrassing to say the least…..outdated defensive scheme, no sense of urgency and too damn nice…..special teams coach goofed around all season and he still has a job….players have been loafing or bored and no one has been sent to the bench or sent packing…players are literally going thru the motions…
time for change…
GO BUCS!!!!
December 17th, 2025 at 8:25 am
Yeah, Baker is definitely average at best. He needs a great o-line and great skill players to be successful. And the current freefall the bucs are in is totally on him. I don’t know why everyone’s so surprised that the defense sucks. They’ve been this way for years. It’s nothing new
December 17th, 2025 at 8:27 am
Baker has been hurt for awhile. He still has one sleeve covering the bad shoulder while the other sleeve is short on his throwing arm. He still keeps driving. His runs haven’t been the same though and he is having more sacks.
The thing is that Baker, Mike, Chris, Bucky, and others made Canales and Coen look good, and then this season we got hit with major injuries. Not all on Baker either. Not on the coaches either. However, we should have a substantial back-up that Baker can mentor. Possibly from the next draft. He can’t carry it all himself. I respect Teddy, but he wasn’t the answer.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:30 am
How many games were won due to the defense? How many did Baker pull off in spite of the lousy defense??????
December 17th, 2025 at 8:31 am
Whats so funny is that now all of a sudden, an Int doesnt matter. LOL… listen to yourselves bucs fans… you are sitting here saying that a QB throwing ints and being inaccurate is the least of our concerns…. My oh my, joe how the times have changed. Baker has sucked and its facts, not an opinion. Look up the stats… but but but he’s hurt, his oline his hurt, blah, blah blah… if the bucs had lets say, josh allen, they would be 11-3. Hell if the bucs had sam darnold they would be 11-3.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:33 am
Baker was playing with 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th string wide receivers. They weren’t getting OPEN. Why is this so hard to understand? We really should be using rb’s and te’s as quick outlets to take the heat off the guards a bit. And definitely roll baker out more. Guards are giving WAY TOO MUCH GROUND.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:35 am
Another nice thing about rolling Baker is he can throw the ball away at any time if nothing is developing. Do it more. Adjust his release point. And run MORE.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:35 am
WBL, you are full of it. Not like he’s a disciple of his craft? He’s got the 2nd most TD passes of any NFL QB the last 3 years. I think he’s at the top of the list in scrambling for first downs. In 3 years he’s gone 3-1 each year against NFC North, East, and West divisions. He’s one of the very best QBs in all of football WBL.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:40 am
Coen>Canales>Grizz. Baker just needs some continuity for god sake. Should’ve canned Bowles for Cohen. Would’ve been a much better situation then when we did the Koetter Lovie move.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:42 am
I’m neither a Baker nut hugger, like Skip, or a Baker basher. But he is who he is, a roller coaster QB. Not at the level of Famous Jameis, but he def is inconsistant. A lot of it has to do with how reckless he plays sometimes.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:47 am
If baker doesn’t play great in the 4 comeback wins the bucs are 3-11. It’s simple average qb play doesn’t move the needle it’s losing for this team, which has most of its money built into the offense.
The defense is bad but evidence shows the bucs need their qb to play like the highest paid player on the team for them to win. It’s how the team is built
December 17th, 2025 at 8:50 am
Also, WR/RB screens on the outside should be much more efficient again now that we have huge blockers Evans and Godwin back. Try a few with Tucker. One great blocked play and he’s gone.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:51 am
2 questions. Will this session end with a Baker interception (like the last two)? How many of Bakers seasons have ended with a pick. If he doesn’t throw that pick we win that atl game. Fire over confident mistake prone clueless opposing qb loving Bowles! Immediately.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:52 am
Anyone blaming Baker is a dimwit. I don’t normally insult people, but in this case it’s true.
🏈 Special teams, outside of our kicker, have been atrocious
🏈 Defense has been below average
🏈 WRs have been riddled with injuries, forcing the deepest backups to play
🏈 The OL has been piecemeal all year due to injuries
🏈 Our best RB was injured for an extended period
🏈 He had a rookie OC who has not turned out to be good thus far
🏈 Because of us having such a horrible hackup QB, Baker has been forced to play injured during the entire losing streak
🏈 We’ve had to send a team record number of players to inuured reserve this year
But two media types who obviously don’t pay attention blame it all on Baker Mayfield, and the trolls and dimwits jump on it.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:58 am
Is the late interception a product of poor defense losing a 14 point lead and giving up a first down on 3rd and 28? Yes it is. If you think this slide is On Baker you know nothing about NFL football or are just a hater.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:58 am
Evens leaving the field was saying “3rd and 28” he wasn’t saying “interception”.
Yes, Baker could have been better, but interesting where Evens head was.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:58 am
Also, those who claim the Bucs should have fired Bowles to promote Cohen:
🏈 Do you not remember Dirk?
🏈 How do you know the offer wasn’t made to Cohen?
🏈 Cohen would have been the bigger gamble at the time.
December 17th, 2025 at 9:05 am
“WBL, you are full of it. Not like he’s a disciple of his craft? He’s got the 2nd most TD passes of any NFL QB the last 3 years.”
It’s cute that you think TD production = dedication to improving & fine tuning your ability to play football in your own time.
We’ve got a 30 yr old QB with >100 starts under his belt who is still battling inconsistent footwork that causes his passes to drift, sail, and be off the mark a few times per game, every game this year.
“Whats so funny is that now all of a sudden, an Int doesnt matter. LOL… listen to yourselves bucs fans… you are sitting here saying that a QB throwing ints and being inaccurate is the least of our concerns….”
All of a sudden INTs don’t mean anything, but last year our D only having 7 was a HUGE problem and all we heard about was CBs being on jugs machines and yada, yada, yada. Now, when a game turns on an INT, it’s no big deal make it make sense!
December 17th, 2025 at 9:16 am
Baker career was a rollercoaster throughout his career until he came to the Bucs because everything around him with the Browns and Panthers was a roller coaster and some idiots blamed him for that. With the Bucs in 2023 he had a good year and in 2024 he took it to another level with Liam Cohen and I believe he started this season looking like it was going to be his best season yet. Injuries all around him on the line and his weapons along with injuries to himself and a defense that crumbled derailed everything at least for the time being. Just as a dog returning to its vomit, there are those that want to return to the Baker bashing that gives them comfort I guess. I think a lot of people have a need to deify their favorite quarterback and put them on a pedestal. Earlier this year people were trying to put Baker on that pedestal but the Bucs stopped winning and that is the ultimate criteria regardless of the reasons for those incapable of nuance.
December 17th, 2025 at 9:17 am
@ Bonzai, Dirk was still better than Lovie. His downfall was being so loyal to Mike Smith. You got to gamble to get to the promise land sometimes. No riskit, no biscuit baby!
December 17th, 2025 at 9:33 am
Buccaneer Bonzai – Right on point on all.
December 17th, 2025 at 9:40 am
“Anyone blaming Baker is a dimwit. I don’t normally insult people, but in this case it’s true.”
Sure is a lot of excuse making on this site whenever it comes to QB play, but what the resident excuse makers especially the ones who’ve been leaning on who we have and don’t have, is that those very things they use to give Baker a pass are also the same things EXPOSING him for what he is AND what he is NOT.
Outside of that, the insults don’t hurt feelings because I personally don’t care, it’s low IQ to point at people being objective just because your dug into your biases.
December 17th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Baker could have closed that game out but he threw a pick good quarterbacks would have closed out that game. Baker does this a lot in big moments of the game he’s 1-9 in prime time games .
December 17th, 2025 at 10:02 am
Defense is problem Oc is major problem psss happy last game 44 passed 19 runs also special teams a disaster go Bucs
December 17th, 2025 at 10:09 am
Of course you can play the maybe and what if game. But you can play the stupid game with the defense. Maybe if they don’t let teams march up and down the field we don’t lose. What if they make the stops on long 3rd and 4th down we don’t lose.
December 17th, 2025 at 10:11 am
If we’re talking OFFENSE in these last several games, Grizz’s meh play-calling is a LOT more responsible for our poor offensive performance towards the end of the games than Baker was.
Grizz needs a lot of work in learning when to run the ball vs when to pass the ball in critical situations. In running the ball, he needs to learn that the Bucs have THREE quality RBs, not just one. And in passing the ball, he needs to learn that TEs & RBs can be just as valuable as WRs if used properly.
December 17th, 2025 at 10:14 am
Hopefully this won’t get moderated to infinity
A very good football team is only as good as its offensive and defensive lines. You can get away with a good offensive line and a bad defensive line and visa versa but you won’t do well when they are both bad. The Bucs offensive line is not good. Their run blocking is poor and can’t open up a crease for even one yard. Pass blocking may be worse than that. The defensive line is bad. No pressure on the QB with 4 rushing which means you have to blitz to pressure the qb. And very poor tackle techniques. This exposes the defensive secondary
December 17th, 2025 at 10:25 am
1/3 on Baker- it closing out games. Missing open receivers, happy feet in the pocket
1/3 on Bowles and his middle soft zone. Terrible kickoff coverage
1/3 on Licht- too proud to trade for a proven pass rushing defensive lineman, and has drafted and missed on a lot, sans Vita.
December 17th, 2025 at 10:25 am
Baker has “happy feet” because he lost BOTH of his starting guards now…..
Kinda don’t blame him….
No way you can put this disaster on him…..
Defensive scheme is pure utter trash and has been for years. Players tuning out Bowles now and had no focus because they have no faith in this system…Set up to make players fail because they don’t have the horses to run it.
December 17th, 2025 at 10:42 am
These people don’t even watch the games.
December 17th, 2025 at 10:47 am
“If we’re talking OFFENSE in these last several games, Grizz’s meh play-calling is a LOT more responsible for our poor offensive performance towards the end of the games than Baker was.”
I can assure you, Grizz doesn’t draw up plays to result in INTs & incompletions. Just like car manufactures don’t make cars to be crashed, doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen, but outside of a recall the onus on a crashed car is usually on the operator. Not the guy who designed it, not the people who ran the assembly, but the person who’s got possession of the car.
Coaches prepare players to make plays, point blank period. One doesn’t just bear the brunt of the others faults, it’s the beauty of this game being the ultimate team sport.
That said, for all the “learning” Grizz needs to do after 14 games as an NFL OC it’s much easier to say these lights are too bright and this stage is too big to be left in the hands of a novice. If he cannot see that now with 3 games left, then it’s time to have the talk of this being his final 3 games as our OC. If he hasn’t learned by now(see the usage of Bucky since he’s been back) it’s likely he won’t learn quick enough to make a difference.
Chip Kelly ’26
December 17th, 2025 at 11:01 am
That’s crazy idk how people can do the record thing with Baker he spent how many years playing with the Browns an he took them to the Playoffs an when they haven’t been there in how long but you can’t over come the Browns you just can’t IDC what his record is he is our Guy an the Bucs can win A SB with him like just look at what he did last year an I mean the guy has never played with the same OC in back to back years that’s a wild the Bucs should have made the Tough choice last year when they were thinking about it Promoted Coen an This Bucs team would be Sitting at 10-4 right now at least the.Bucs screwed up last year
December 17th, 2025 at 11:04 am
His late pick and another poor throw didn’t help…
Yeah,ok, and not recovering fumbles and letting Cousins burn the D on 3rd and 28 and 4th and 14 didn’t help
You win or lose as a team – Mayfield is accountable just like everyone else
December 17th, 2025 at 11:21 am
In baseball, there’s some stat called wins above replacement. I don’t fully understand it, but I think the general sense is clear. We know the Bucs record this year is 7-7 with Baker. What would it be if a replacement were at QB, but everything else –other players, coaches, management, injuries, weather, etc.– were the same? i remind you that the two realistic replacements are Teddy Bridgewater and Kyle Trask. Are seven wins more than either or both of these would have achieved? The fantasy replacements cited for this season were Sam Darnold and Josh Allen, both mentioned as MVP candidates. If we had either of them instead of Baker, how many more wins would we have? I remind you that Baker beat Darnold head-to-head and suggest that if Baker and Josh had switched teams, the Bucs would have still lost to the Bills. Even if you disagree with this, also remember that you are saying that only an MVP QB could lead the Bucs to a better record than Mayfield.
December 17th, 2025 at 11:48 am
screw the TDs over the past 3years lol
how many playoffs wins has baker had in the last 3 years lol…
better yet, how many TDs vs Turnovers has baker had in playoff games
GO BUCS!!!!
December 17th, 2025 at 11:50 am
baker isnt the biggest problem tho imo….
our OC, DC and STC are the true culprits!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
December 17th, 2025 at 11:51 am
Skip is a HUGE Sooner Fan and has been Bakers #1 Fan from day one. Anytime Skip takes a ‘side’ (especially early), he will double, triple, and quadruple down every time, no matter WHAT. He completely ignores ALL evidence. Seriously, a player can have 10 bad games in a ROW, and then ONE ‘good one’ and then, OH. MY. GOD. HE’s THE ‘greatest thing’ since sliced bread… And, it’s “SEE, I’ve told you all along about this guy!” Then, he will literally proceed to breakdown his EVERY (good) PLAY. It’s pathetic, and is not even good tv. I can do THE BEST Keyshawn & Skip impersonation of their old show on Fox… It was just ‘background noise’ (Skip was like that voice in Charlie Brown). Something is driving you CRAZY, while not paying attention, when you’re reading something online, or something! Then, you eventually realize what ‘IT’ is and you immediately have to change the channel. It was AWFUL. Listening to Keyshawn just whineeee sooooo hard, “SKIP” and then more uncontrollable whining and “SKIP” – just on and on until no end. It was literally ALL it was and it would drag on for 30-MINUTES, on the same topic! While, they were saying NOTHING for 25-minutes of it. Just HORRIBLE TV. And, then they were cancelled. Right when I started thinking to myself, HOW are they still on tv, and WHO is even watching THIS right now!? HORRIBLE.
December 17th, 2025 at 11:53 am
Gipper Says:
December 17th, 2025 at 11:09 am
Posters like Bee, WBL, Munch write things about Mayfield with ignorant certainty. The latest is Mayfield inaccuracy with “happy feet.” Just more lunacy. Consider the patron saint of all NFL QB’s Tom Brady career comp% of 64.3% versus Baker 63.3% career mark. These posters like to pretend that they are football savants when in reality they are just genuine fools.
December 17th, 2025 at 11:55 am
Baker isnt at 60 nor 0 percent at fault. He missed a few throws with a clean pocket. Thats on him. He an MVP favorite for awhile, and then the injuries started happening to the wr corp. Last week, we seen the wr corp FINALLY come back in full strength but Baker was still not up to par with the earlier output. Why is that? Lets take a look at the O-Line that has gotten hurt more and more throughout the week. I doubt any QB could succeed on ANY team with an O-Line that is as injured as ours. I mean look what we did to Mahomes in the super bowl. Even he struggled when the line was terrible. Look at Burrow. These are tier 1 qbs that struggle with bad O-Lines. The majority of fans put so much emphasis on the skill positions and thinking games are won with those. In reality, offenses are only as successful as far as the O-Line can carry them. If you have no time to throw it, theres no point in having a top wr corp. If you cant open up lanes and run it, theres no point in having a top rb.
December 17th, 2025 at 11:55 am
Baker won enough games by himself early in the year to deserve a leash that the defense just has never earned.
December 17th, 2025 at 11:58 am
The truth is nothing matters for a qb except for:
Can you get to the postseason…and
What do you do when you get there?
People want to put Eli Manning in the HOF for 8 postseason games.
December 17th, 2025 at 12:00 pm
3rd down and 28 yards to go. One stop and we win the game……
December 17th, 2025 at 12:08 pm
Let’s be real. With ME13, CG14 and JM11 back, OF COURSE Baker’s numbers were going to increase. Also, with Turnstile Freeney and NOGOAT Mike Jordan at RG/LG, Bake has his difficulties to overcome.
BUT, Baker has to be smarter. Get rid of the football when you see the blitz coming. Throw the checkdown and let Tuck N Buck and White get yards. It’s NOT the early 90’s / 2000’s NFL. Not even 5 years ago NFL, from the -40 yard line to +20, you don’t have to throw for 10 yds+ on 3rd and 10. Get 6+ yds and go for it on 4th down which most of the league is doing now. But if you take the 6yd sack, we have no chance on 4th and 16 from anywhere (unless you’re Cousins and Falcons against our D in 2mins).
If Baker plays smarter, Our Offense is on the field longer, scores more TDs and our D just may play a little better (prayerfully) with a lead and JPP’s fire in their ear. Perhaps.
December 17th, 2025 at 12:08 pm
We’d be 2-12 without him.
December 17th, 2025 at 12:29 pm
You can’t compare Baker’s completion percentage with Brady’s. It was a completely different game during the first half of Brady’s career, with totally different rules, & etc. Plus, Brady threw the ball down the field A LOT for most of his career. It’s just not the same thing. And, SERIOUSLY… To begin with, YOU are really trying to compare TOM BRADY and BAKER MAYFIELD!? I mean, that’s not even coming from a ‘serious’ person then. It’s just unserious. To even mention both of their names in the same sentence is a JOKE. A literal 8-YEAR OLD, could easily see the difference. It’s comparing your 7th-Grade QB to your Senior State CHAMPION, ALL-STATE QB. That is what it is. Baker will NEVER even be in ‘the discussion’ for the NFL HOF. It is delusional, to think that he will be.
December 17th, 2025 at 12:30 pm
The question is, who could we get that is better? Unless we tank for a first round pick we are better off hitting the playoffs every year like the Steelers than trying to grab an unknown. The coaches need to work on Baker’s weaknesses and we can overcome some deficiencies
December 17th, 2025 at 12:32 pm
@ Watch Daddy Sling It – Now, that depends on who you replace him with. With Teddy… Probably, YES.
December 17th, 2025 at 12:36 pm
@Melvin 👍
December 17th, 2025 at 12:37 pm
I think we should try a draft the QB from Duke,(Darian Mensah) he looks impressive on tape, maybe rounds 3-4, give us new juice and to put some pressure on Faker!!! Let’s Go Bucs!!!!
December 17th, 2025 at 12:41 pm
We should try an draft Darain Mensah from Duke (QB) He looks good on tape, and if He declares for the draft, put some Pressure on Faker! Let’s Go Bucs!!!
December 17th, 2025 at 12:45 pm
MelvinJunior,
I can explain it to you just can’t comprehend it for you. I suspect comprehension has never been your strongest competency?
December 17th, 2025 at 12:57 pm
Our ‘O-Line’ has held up pretty good. Baker has had just as much time to throw the ball, as any other NFL QB has this year! And, he has been ‘sacked’ LESS than most who have started in every game this season. He’s had PLENTY of clean pockets with PLENTY enough time to throw. So, it’s a false narrative. He panics with ‘clean-pockets’ and rushes throws when he doesn’t have to. Then, holds the ball for too long when he cannot afford to. Misses BAD on wide-open receivers downfield. His ‘timing’ is way off. Always throws ‘a touch’ BEHIND receivers, NEVER out in front, where they could actually do something with it (“Yackety-YAC). Also, I thought his ‘big injury’ was on his NON throwing shoulder!? See the excuses being made… ALWAYS, an excuse for Good Ole Bake Bake. Heeee’s juuuust puuuurfectttt. Wait for when he has that one big game again, or strings together, a couple… ALL the Skip Bayless’s of the JBF World, will all be like, “SEE HE’S THE BEST EVER.” Hahahah Lmao.
December 17th, 2025 at 12:59 pm
Used the TE position as a weapon? That’s laughable comment, Joe. 1 catch for 6 yds. Otton has over 400 yards on the season and was used as a blocker for at least the first 4 games.
December 17th, 2025 at 1:08 pm
The Big Debate Question right now, is WHO would you rather have… Baker or Darnold!? And, keep in mind… Sam is the bigger, better, stronger Athlete.
December 17th, 2025 at 1:21 pm
Totally the defense all the way but baker gets a good amount of blame to. There were times not many but a few where the defense did enough to win and game and the offense as a whole did terrible. Blame goes all around not just baker. Grizz with his terrible play calling , oline hasn’t done a good job blocking WRs dropping passes or stoping on routes and the list goes on how many 3 n outs did we do just to put our porus defense back out there which at times did hold up. Look the offense gets as much blame as baker.
December 17th, 2025 at 1:24 pm
Baker supporters remember all the good things Baker has done.
Bakers detractors remember all the bad that Baker has done.
Good NFL QB’s have mostly good games with only 1 or 2 bad games per season.
How many bad games has Baker had this season?
How about last season?
December 17th, 2025 at 1:34 pm
“Posters like Bee, WBL, Munch write things about Mayfield with ignorant certainty. The latest is Mayfield inaccuracy with “happy feet.” Just more lunacy. Consider the patron saint of all NFL QB’s Tom Brady career comp% of 64.3% versus Baker 63.3% career mark. These posters like to pretend that they are football savants when in reality they are just genuine fools”
From an article Joe wrote May 8th 2024 with a Thad Lewis quote:
“Enter Bucs quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis, who worked with Mayfield last season. He said yesterday that May and June will be all about Mayfield’s feet.
“The emphasis this offseason is footwork, you know, footwork, footwork. Just doing the dance with the passes,” Lewis said. “Giving the running backs the lane with the footwork, getting the ball deep, you know, little things like that to grow in this offense.”
Another one from Joe with a Baker quote on his footwork in 2023:
“Yes, it’s a battle. And Joe found cool this morning to hear Mayfield acknolwedge that he didn’t look good during Monday and Tuesday practice sessions — and that Kyle Trask did.
“The two practices [prior to today] were not my best by any means,” Mayfield said. We looked at it; footwork was a little off. Just being out of rhythm. Just getting back to that, it was a lot better for me today. … Today was better than the previous two ”
From the Browns team site back in 2020:
“The technique allows Mayfield to essentially take one less step to set his feet and drop back into the pocket with more fluidity. It’s a small change that could be pivotal for Mayfield as he attempts to improve from last season, when he threw 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions and fell short of his personal goal of taking the Browns to their first playoff appearance since 2002.
“There is more rhythm, and it’s not as robotic,” Van Pelt said about the new technique in February. “It’s more fluid. I have always used the term that I want the feet to be like Mozart, and not like Metallica.”
Because it’s just me and a few others citing Mayfields shotty mechanics after 100+ career starts.
Also @Melvin, Darnold is more efficient than Mayfield and with heighted efficiency from the pocket, you get more out of each and every play at least in terms of potential. Not to mention he’s got more ideal physical traits thant Baker Mayfield who’s basically the Rudy of NFL QBs lol
December 17th, 2025 at 1:35 pm
To answer the question about Mayfield’s playoff stats: 5 games, 12 TDs, 3 Int, 267 yards a game, 106 QB rating. So those are his stats against very good teams. You aren’t going to get much better than that. Bottom line: Baker is damn good and you rate QB based on what they have to work with. And as somebody wise once said, a QB’s best friend is a good defense, which they have not had in a very long time. Or offensive line in his case.
December 17th, 2025 at 1:44 pm
Wonders how difficult it is the throw a football accurately with enough strength while suffering shoulder, knee, and oblique injuries?
December 17th, 2025 at 1:52 pm
Losing to (and barely beating) the types of teams we have played during the Todd Bowles era, has taken an ‘all-around’ team effort. In EVERY phase of the game. It hasn’t all been on any one-player. It has been offense, defense, AND special teams. You can just take your pick an give Sunday!
@ WBL – Yeah, right now it would definitely have to be Sam Darnold. What’s his record alone, over the past two seasons… about 26-5, off the top of my head!? And, he’s younger. So, prob not very much of a true debate in reality!
December 17th, 2025 at 2:04 pm
QB comparisons are always pure speculation as the conditions one QB has are different from whoever he is being compared to. But here are Mayfield’s playoff stats against elite teams: 12 Tds, 3 Int, 267 yds per game, 106 QB rating. You aren’t going to get much better than that. But I’m sure Mayfield critics will somehow try to explain those stats away.
December 17th, 2025 at 2:10 pm
“Wonders how difficult it is the throw a football accurately with enough strength while suffering shoulder, knee, and oblique injuries?”
For Mayfield, just as difficult when he’s healthy because those are temporary problems. Suffers from the same problems when healthy.
@Melvin
Only when you’re talking to these Bucs fans who need to over embellish the viability of our current QB. A lot of them think because production numbers look the same that the players are the same, and that’s just not how anything works. Then you get the guys like Gipper who try to pass off “whataboutism” as a tool of logic, rather than it being an intellectual load of crap he’s constantly dumpin in the comments
December 17th, 2025 at 2:13 pm
WarrenBrooksLoser,
There is not a quarterback who ever played the game that hasn’t always worked on setting his feet. They don’t teach that in high school band camp which is why you seem surprised.
December 17th, 2025 at 2:18 pm
“There is not a quarterback who ever played the game that hasn’t always worked on setting his feet.”
Footwork isn’t just about setting your feet genius, it’s about establish a strong base and generating torque from your base through your core. The really accurate QBs can do this from a variety of positions, Mayfield has to eurostep into throws to make up for his bad mechanics and field of vision, but your too in love with him to realize that lol
December 17th, 2025 at 2:22 pm
MelvinJunior Says:
December 17th, 2025 at 12:57 pm
Our ‘O-Line’ has held up pretty good. Baker has had just as much time to throw the ball, as any other NFL QB has this year! And, he has been ‘sacked’ LESS than most who have started in every game this season. He’s had PLENTY of clean pockets with PLENTY enough time to throw. So, it’s a false narrative. He panics with ‘clean-pockets’ and rushes throws when he doesn’t have to. Then, holds the ball for too long when he cannot afford to. Misses BAD on wide-open receivers downfield. His ‘timing’ is way off. Always throws ‘a touch’ BEHIND receivers, NEVER out in front, where they could actually do something with it (“Yackety-YAC). Also, I thought his ‘big injury’ was on his NON throwing shoulder!? See the excuses being made… ALWAYS, an excuse for Good Ole Bake Bake. Heeee’s juuuust puuuurfectttt. Wait for when he has that one big game again, or strings together, a couple… ALL the Skip Bayless’s of the JBF World, will all be like, “SEE HE’S THE BEST EVER.” Hahhas heehahah Lmao.
That is total BS that the O-Line has held up pretty good. They have been atrocious. They have been relying on second and third team back-ups on two and sometimes three positions that no other good team would start. They are so bad they can’t even get the line to move one yard (three times in a row). The O-Line is getting pushed back into the pocket most of the time. I’m not defending Baker but I will say no quarterback would thrive with this offensive line.
December 17th, 2025 at 2:34 pm
The idea that Baker isn’t to blame for the Saints game, when he throws for 122 yards, and an INT, has the ball in his hands with a chance to win the game, and goes 4 and out, throwing a terrible pass at the feet of Otton on 4th down – if you can’t even blame him for that loss, you’re nuts.
And for how bad the defense played vs the Falcons, all Baker had to do was not have a terrible 4th quarter. The INT was inexcusable. Missing e2 on a 3rd down pass that puts the game away is inexcusable.
The idea that Baker isn’t single handedly losing games is pure fantasy — and the people saying otherwise are the same people who early this year said he was single handedly winning all the games. Can’t have it both ways, and you already made your choice. So it’s 100% on Baker – and in the last two games, that is absolutely the case.
December 17th, 2025 at 2:36 pm
PLawson Says:
December 17th, 2025 at 1:35 pm
To answer the question about Mayfield’s playoff stats: 5 games, 12 TDs, 3 Int, 267 yards a game, 106 QB rating.
———–
Yet vs the Lions in the playoffs, 2 mins left, all his timeouts, a one score game – he promptly goes out and throws an INT. Game over.
Vs the Redskins last year, the defense makes a huge 4th quarter goal line stop, gives the ball back to the offense with a chance to go up two scores and put the game away and Baker promptly fumbles the ball, losing the game.
December 17th, 2025 at 2:41 pm
Sorry, never was a fan of the overhyped Talib that never produced in Tampa. So, I don’t really hold his opinion in high regard, especially because he is just another washed player that’s criticizing a current player, when he never reached the heights in his career that he was supposed to.
With that being said, Baker has had some flaws of late. I mean, who wouldn’t, especially when you don’t have guys around making huge plays when they need to? It’s gotta be frustrating, and it definitely must impact the way you’re playing. I still believe Baker can lock in this week and be the clutch player we know he can be, but that defense, ugh! They haven’t really shown signs of life for weeks. So, we’ll see. GO BUCS!!!
December 17th, 2025 at 3:07 pm
Everyone has a right to their opinion about Baker or anybody else for that matter. My opinion is that pretty much every player on the team has under-performed. ‘Ill give Mike Evans a pass since he missed most of the season and looked pretty good in the few games he played in. Pretty much all of the players that just got the money bag have been playing far worse that they played last year. Suggesting that any one player was causing the losses is laughable.
December 17th, 2025 at 3:11 pm
I WAS TEAM BAKER BUT I’M 1000% WITH TALIB
Baker is starting to resemble Winston 2.0. He’s amusing, players “really like him”, he makes exciting plays, BUT he has a knack for losing games.
How’d we exit the playoffs last year? How’d we lose the last few games? Timely INTs.
REMOVE THE CHARM AND WHAT DO YOU REALLY HAVE?
Exam his history and you don’t see a winner.
Looking at the lockerroom and you don’t see a leader.
December 17th, 2025 at 3:40 pm
WarrenBrooksLoser,
Good try. The more you comment the dumber you seem. Mayfield and Josh Allen have the two strongest arms in the NFL. All we need to know about Baker accuracy when not injured, was his 71% completion rate last year. Go back to you 12 pack and keep pretending you know something about QB play.
December 17th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
@ WBL – That’s an interesting term you’ve used there… I have never heard it used in football before. “Eurostep.” Good catch. I have noticed this! I know exactly what you’re talking about. Baker really struggles miserably at times, while in the pocket. He’s much better ‘outside’ the pocket, when in rhythm and not having to think!
December 17th, 2025 at 3:47 pm
Baker has over 30 interceptions and how many pick 6’s,? Ya he’s Winston 2.0 alright
December 17th, 2025 at 3:51 pm
@ Bucsfan2023 – I wasn’t talking about the running game. I was talking about protecting Baker with a clean pocket. I have seen very little issues, when compared to most every other team and QB in the league. Baker hasn’t taken ANY more ‘sacks’ than anyone else has. Actually, far LESS when compared to every other QB who has started in every game this season. And, I am seeing LOTS of ‘clean-pockets’ that they are giving him, as well.
December 17th, 2025 at 4:01 pm
@ BUCDADDY Says: “The overhyped Talib… never reached the heights in his career that he was supposed to.”
Hmmmmm… I’d say that he did quite alright! Which would be a huge understatement. So, I guess YOUR opinion would carry sooo much more weight then Hahaha Lmao.
First-Round Pick
Super Bowl champion (50)
First-team All-Pro (2016)
Second-team All-Pro (2013)
5× Pro Bowl (2013–2017)
Jack Tatum Trophy (2007)
Unanimous All-American (2007)
2× First-team All-Big 12 (2006, 2007)
December 17th, 2025 at 4:07 pm
@ Gipper – that big 71% was from a short rhythm offense by an offensive genius OC, that specifically designed it FOR BAKER. And, no one is putting much stock in completion percentages anymore, for just that reason. The game has changed and not all “completion percentage” numbers are created equally. All you need is just two good eyes!
December 17th, 2025 at 4:09 pm
Hilarious watching someone posting under 2 names. Talking to themselves and basically only showing up to put down Baker or make excuses for Bowles and the defense.
December 17th, 2025 at 6:09 pm
I’m a Baker fan but you can’t deny it. He ranks almost dead last in all statistical categories the last 6 games among all starting QB’s. You are not going to win with a QB like that and when a QB is playing like that it puts undue pressure on a defense that isn’t playing great to begin with and puts them in precarious field positions time after time. He has been seeing ghosts like Brady in 2022, not checking the ball down when he should, not making accurate throws, throwing stupid picks and hanging on to the ball too long. He looks jittery and confused. He looks like a rookie out there sometimes. I think Grizzard may be a part of the problem.
December 17th, 2025 at 6:24 pm
A short historical note for Sam Darnold fans. He played a key supporting role in creating the Baker Legend. Baker was a rookie backup in Cleveland when the Browns (0-16, the year before) were playing the Jets with Sam Darnold. The latter had his team ahead early in the game, when the Browns QB went down with an injury. Onto the field went Baker, unproven but with great anticipation in the stands. He rallied the Browns to their first significant win in literally years. Chants of “Ba-ker May-field” cascaded from the seats. Yet he never gets credit for the win because he wasn’t the starter. And, yes, it was a night game. On national TV. On Thursday night. This season he faced Darnold again and defeated him. He wasn’t playing for the old Browns but for a team that many on this site claim has incompetent coaches, Division 3 linemen playing out of position unless they’re hurt, special teams that cede half the field on kickoffs, and a defense about which they have nothing good to say. Speaking of which, Baker had the team ahead of the Falcons by two touchdowns with about ten minutes to play. The defense gave up three scores in the remaining time. If the offense had gone three-and-punt on its possessions, you would still blame the loss on the defense. Baker’s interception was well inside Falcons territory, field position that demanded the kind of scoring drive after a punt or kickoff.
December 17th, 2025 at 6:44 pm
MelvinJunior,
Keep pretending that you are a football guru. For a fact, your written word is barely coherent.
December 17th, 2025 at 7:00 pm
CyberDilemma Says:
“I’m a Baker fan but you can’t deny it. He ranks almost dead last in all statistical categories the last 6 games among all starting QB’s.”
And his ribs were wrapped that entire time.
People think a guy who has an injury like that should stll play elite?
Do you think Teddy Bridgewater could have come in and done better? Or no worse?
Bridgewater is so bad we couldn’t risk playing him to rest Baker.
December 17th, 2025 at 7:02 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
“Sure is a lot of excuse making on this site…”
Facts are not excuses.
Opinions are…and I that’s all you’ve got.
December 17th, 2025 at 7:29 pm
One of these days Culp is gonna draw a LB in coverage and it’s an almost automatic TD from anywhere.
December 17th, 2025 at 11:59 pm
@ Mobucs – No Darnold “FAN” Here. Hit a nerve!? YOU come across as just another ‘insecure’ Baker Boi. I mean, come on… You are bringing up a ‘meaningless’ game from 8-years ago, really!? “The Baker Legend, Cascading Through The Seats, BAK-ER MAY-FIELD” – Then CRYING about him NOT getting “credit!?” REALLY!? GTFOH. It’s Pathetic. And, I am assuming that you are an ADULT!?
I have ZERO biases. Only stating the ‘obvious’ that if you were forced to have to pick between the two right now, it would be easily be Sam The Man Darnold. It would be overwhelming. Not even CLOSE. 80/20 at a minimum, maybe even 90/10.
December 18th, 2025 at 12:06 am
@ Gipper – Well, if you actually watched ANY other teams, or watched and listened to ANY of the ‘national’ media “experts,” then YOU would know that NOBODY is paying any attention to completion percentage anymore. You’ll never hear it! And, it’s the ONLY damn stat that YOU can ever mention. It means absolutely NOTHING. No one even talks about QB-rating either, anymore! Not like they used to.
December 18th, 2025 at 12:13 am
@ Mobucs – And, one more thing… SAM has that 26-5 RECORD over these past two season, while playing in THE #1 ‘TOUGHEST’ Conferences in the entire LEAGUE. Both seasons. The NFC North last season, & The NFC West this season. So, put THAT in your pipe and smoke-it! And, let THAT sink in!
December 18th, 2025 at 12:23 am
17-14. In THE WORST Conference In The ENTIRE LEAGUE Now, 4-YEARS Running. Historically WEAK. Good Ole Bake Bake… 17-14. The younger, bigger, better, stronger ATHLETE, Sam The Man Darnold… 26-5. Enough Said. Game. Set. MATCH.