Todd Bowles Discusses Baker Mayfield’s Slump
December 8th, 2025
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield.
Aside from the loss to New England, Baker Mayfield’s numbers have taken a dive since the start of November. With it, so have the Bucs’ playoff dreams.
Prickly Pete Prisco of CBS, who has a strong pipeline to the Bucs, claimed yesterday that he suspects Mayfield is much more hurt than the team is letting on.
The Bucs treating injury information like the Manhattan Project? Who could ever imagine?
Asked about Mayfield’s slump today, Bucs coach Todd Bowles didn’t deny Mayfield’s injuries — Bowles didn’t offer specifics — very likely have been a factor. But Bowles said the entire offense is a mess and the flaccid offense cannot be fully blamed on Mayfield.
“I think he’s a lot better now than he was,” Bowles said. “I don’t think it’s affecting him in that way. I mean, it’s all included:
“… [T]he offensive line blocking, it’s running routes and getting open, it’s play calling, it’s all inclusive. It’s never just on one guy.”
Bowles went on to say the rest of the offense has not done its job picking up the slack.
“Offensively, we just hadn’t done a good enough job,” Bowles said. “Especially on third down and getting [receivers] loose on first and second down.”
The Bucs have talented receivers. They were getting open earlier in the season. Is it because defenses (specifically, defensive coordinators) don’t respect Sterling Shepard? Does it mean defenses have figured out rookie Tez Johnson?
It seems either Bucs receivers haven’t been able to adjust or their offensive coaches haven’t been able to figure out ways to scheme them open? Maybe both?
The way the Bucs have played since the beginning of November, Joe doesn’t think there is any way one can suggest the Bucs currently are a well-coached outfit.
December 8th, 2025 at 2:52 pm
Todd Bowles never takes responsibility! That’s why he’s lost the locker room. Always blaming his players.
December 8th, 2025 at 2:54 pm
Joe always reads this but it’s flat out not true. How many times has Bowles said, “We’ve got to coach it better.”
How is that not taking responsibility?
December 8th, 2025 at 2:54 pm
The loss of Liam Coen seems to be bigger than anticipated.
December 8th, 2025 at 2:56 pm
The sky is falling this is not a good team we have nothing to fall back on
December 8th, 2025 at 2:57 pm
Baker was inaccurate and inconsistent before he got injured. He’s been that way since he got to the Bucs. A few highs but mostly mids and lows with Baker. He had a golden opportunity on the last drive of the game and couldn’t get the team to midfield. Threw a near pick on 2nd down. His clutchness can’t be found toward the end of the season and in the playoffs.
December 8th, 2025 at 3:02 pm
HC and coordinator malpractice! Our offense has nosedived because D Coord have watched tape and we have not adjusted! Our play calls are vanilla and predictable. There is no creativity, and we can’t scheme our players open. It’s time for change starting with our piss poor OC who’s way in over his head.
December 8th, 2025 at 3:03 pm
been saying all year that Grizz is over his head….Tom Moore was there(i think) to help with the game plan and hold Grizz’s hand so that excuse is out the window…
even my wife knows with Grizz,
-its 1st down inside run…followed by
-WR screen on 2nd down, followed by
-Otton making a catch, 2 yards shy of the sticks….
GO BUCS!!!!
December 8th, 2025 at 3:04 pm
Get ready to sit out the post-season. Does this team look playoff ready? The only question I have is will the organization keep this head coach another season? He obviously can’t inspire his players. His coaching creates defensive holes in our secondary which makes run of the mill quarterbacks look like all pros and sending what marginal pass rushers to cover receivers. I am so depressed by the clown club Todd Bowls has created…
December 8th, 2025 at 3:05 pm
Is “We’ve got to coach it better” enough? Saying the exact same thing always isnt taking that much responsibility imo.
How about we have failed as coaches. We are going to make changes now because what we have been doing has not been good enough. We (the coaching staff) have let down the players.
December 8th, 2025 at 3:07 pm
Taking responsibility is not just saying those words its also understanding change is needed. No excuse that he hasn’t fixed special teams as of yet and the rest of this mess. I love my wife but am I (in love) with my wife. Doesn’t matter if he tries to blame the players because they are a reflection of his coaching so it will always fall on him like it or not
December 8th, 2025 at 3:08 pm
Baker plays well = healthy, wins games by himself.
Baker plays poorly = obviously unhealthy, team mates let him down.
Over and over and over again the cycle repeats.
If he gets hot on Thursday night and has a good game, what will people say? Well, obviously he got healthy.
Then if he follows it up by playing poorly? Well, obviously he got hurt again.
Over and over the cycle repeats.
December 8th, 2025 at 3:15 pm
I hate when he says “we need to coach better” really Todd really. HOW BOUT STOP TALKING ABOUT IT AND ACTUALLY DOING IT!!!! Because for the last couple of years its the same crap every season.
December 8th, 2025 at 3:15 pm
Then if they fire Grizzard,the Baker cult will say, ” well 4 years/4 OCs and 9 career OCS…..meanwhile Sam Darnold has been on 3 TEAMS in 3 years and is 24-6 over the last 2 years in the toughest divisions in the NFL the last 2 years. 2024 NFC North and 2025 NFC West. Dude is 28 and been on 5 teams,1 more then Baker. He’s clearly supplanted Baker as the 3rd best QB from the 2018 draft and has a brighter future.
December 8th, 2025 at 3:17 pm
I dont know if it’s injury or what but Baker misses WRs, misses check downs, isn’t always accurate with his strong arm with ball placement. BUT will make a spectacular scramble a few times in a game. I believe the push for more downfield throws has him holding the ball a little too long and getting greedy where Coen (and Brady) would nikel and dime you to death if needed.
The Defense?!?! It’s not meant / built to dominate a game or win on it making great plays consistently. It’s built to have a lead, with a powerful offense (to cover for mistakes) and blitz the hell out of teams who have to keep up with our scoring. LVD can’t make plays anymore, Dennis isn’t there yet. Diaby is a #2 rusher. Zyon is not a #1 shutdown CB. When our O gets stronger, hopefully with OL and WRs coming back, we may have a shot. Otherwise, don’t expect much post season advancement this season. And perhaps that’s OK.
Todd should get a DC. His tendencies are too well known.
December 8th, 2025 at 3:20 pm
I dont think it’s too difficult to explain, without that guy who can take the top off (Evans or McMillan), teams can defend us differently and remember that Tez and Shepard are not burners or great route runners. We also lack a tight end who can create mismatches. Evans does a lot of mask these deficiencies.
December 8th, 2025 at 4:06 pm
Radio like dam my QB and OC isn’t bailing me out this year.
Canals coen. Bake covered up a lot of trash from his side of the ball. Corns O was dealing!! Can’t believe they let him out the door. 🤦🏻♂️
December 8th, 2025 at 4:07 pm
For those of you that are waiting for Bucs to miss the playoffs , put your money up,, Carolina is +220 ,,, easy money right ???? I wouldn’t do it ,,, the Bucs are still -330 so still a big favorite to win the south ,,, if Baker struggles against ATL and has Big Mike and JMac back for Carolina game ,,, all my money goes on Baker and the Bucs that week!!
December 8th, 2025 at 4:10 pm
It’s sad day 813 has gone to the dark side?
December 8th, 2025 at 4:16 pm
Sick and tired of these trolls and their never ending Baker bashing, He’s inaccurate ,he’s inconsistent, he’s too small. he can’t throw deep he can’t elevate the other players.
Total BS on all that rabbit pucky. Baker has been the main ingredient that has elevated this team since he arrived He has saved Todd’s job and got Canales and Coen to advance their career’s while the dumb couch potato neck beards adulate the brief Brady dream time Baker has made the stars shine[Evans and Godwin and put a luster on guys that don’t shine much.
And all this while being under paid. This town has some of the worst fans I have ever seen. They don’t deserve the Bucs or Baker.
December 8th, 2025 at 4:19 pm
Baker hasent been playing well. Stop using injuries as an excuse. His play has slipped just like everyone else on this team.
December 8th, 2025 at 4:22 pm
Well we will see who’s lost the locker room Thursday night. And the team that hadn’t will win !! I believe Raheem Morris has lost his team and it will be very evident when the Bucs meet the Falcons this Thursday night !!
Cousins needs to feel the heat of the Buccaneer pass rush all night. Baker and the Buccaneers offense need to score 35 points or more!!
I can’t think of two better team leaders than Mayfield and Evans to lead our Bucs out of this terrible hole we’ve been in since October !!
Don’t jump ship Bucs Fans !! Believe in your team !!
Go Bucs !! Beat the Falcons !!
December 8th, 2025 at 4:27 pm
If Mayfield has been the main ingredient that elevated the Bucs since his arrival, then he’s also the main ingredient on their 2-5 stretch where the offense has averaged 13 points /game.
I can buy that he’s in a slump for whatever reasons, but he’s as much or more accountable as anyone on the team.
December 8th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
Coaching matters. Grizz is no Coen, simple as that. Bowles is no Coen either, he’s already showing the Glazers what a mistake they made not s canning Bowles for him. Time to correct their mistake before they lose the whole fan base.
December 8th, 2025 at 4:47 pm
I took a lot hate for my Coaching choices allow me to delve more into why I selected the mandatory my logic behind my selection.
Why Jon Gruden and Bill Belichick Still Make Sense for the Buccaneers
As a lifelong Buccaneers fan, I’m always thinking about how this franchise can get back to being a true Super Bowl contender. And while it may sound bold to some people, I believe Jon Gruden as offensive coordinator and Bill Belichick as the head coach or senior defensive architect is not only reasonable, but one of the most logical blueprints available.
The Case for Jon Gruden
Jon Gruden is at his best when he focuses entirely on offense. History shows that when Gruden can pour himself into quarterback development, game planning, and offensive creativity, he produces results. His energy, his passion, and his obsessive detail are exactly the traits that elevate quarterbacks.
Gruden has always been a proven quarterback teacher. His work with veteran QBs, young prospects, and even his QB Camp films show his ability to break down the position like few others. His coaching tree also speaks loudly. Sean McVay, who worked under Gruden, still uses core concepts of the Gruden system and has turned them into one of the most efficient offenses in football.
The personality fit matters too. Gruden is fiery, playful, loud, and intensely competitive. These traits match well with Baker Mayfield, and if the Buccaneers draft a young quarterback, Gruden’s teaching style could accelerate that player’s growth. Add in the fact that Gruden has always loved Tampa and still carries genuine passion for the Buccaneers, and the pairing becomes even more natural.
The Case for Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick is the most decorated football coach in NFL history. Yes, Tom Brady played a massive role in that dynasty, but Belichick consistently produced top-tier defenses with rotating personnel and yearly roster challenges. His command of 3–4 principles, disguised pressure, situational football, and opponent-specific game plans is unmatched.
I personally prefer a 4–3 defensive structure, but there is no denying that Belichick knows how to build elite defensive units in any situation. His recent college struggles are understandable. He stepped into a weak program, and it would take years of resources to rebuild it. The off-field stories about his personal life haven’t helped, but that does not erase decades of football genius.
Some argue that the game has passed him by. Maybe to a degree. But pairing Gruden’s offensive sharpness with Belichick’s defensive discipline gives Tampa Bay two minds with more combined experience and more proven success than most coaching staffs in the league.
And let’s be honest. Todd Bowles cannot compete with either of them in terms of football accomplishments. Gruden delivered a Lombardi Trophy to Tampa. Belichick has more rings than entire franchises. Players respect achievement, and these two command it instantly.
The Bigger Picture
Fans love to talk about finding the next young, innovative coach, but the truth is that the league simply does not produce these prodigies the way it once did. Andy Reid is no “dinosaur,” yet he continues to win Super Bowls because elite coaching ages slowly, not quickly.
If someone believes that Gruden or Belichick are worse options than Todd Bowles, that is a tough argument to take seriously. What I’m proposing is not a fantasy. It is a structured plan. Gruden runs the offense. Belichick stabilizes and elevates the entire coaching operation. The Buccaneers instantly become a tougher, smarter, more competitive team.
If Belichick wants Florida weather and proximity to his longtime friend Jimmy Johnson, Tampa is a natural fit.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t about nostalgia. It isn’t about shock value. It’s about winning. I want the Buccaneers to be a championship contender every single season. And pairing Jon Gruden with Bill Belichick gives Tampa Bay a realistic chance to build a powerful, experienced, and highly respected coaching foundation.
Critics are free to disagree, but if they do, they should offer better solutions rather than dismissing the idea entirely. I’m a die-hard Buccaneers fan, and all I want is the best path back to the Super Bowl.
December 8th, 2025 at 4:58 pm
Joe, there’s a big difference between “we” need to coach it better and “I” need to do better.