Baker Mayfield Is Rock Solid For 2026
January 25th, 2026
When Baker Mayfield was an MVP frontrunner.
So how comfortable are you with the Bucs’ quarterback room right now? Sadly, “this Joe” confesses to developing doubts.
Over at BSPN, Seth Walder, a man who never met a number he didn’t like, wanted to hear from the four-letter’s NFC South beat reporters about how confident they are with their team’s quarterback room, meaning starting quarterback and backup(s).
Jenna Laine of ESPN isn’t overly confident. On a scale of 1-10, Laine listed her confidence in the Bucs’ quarterbacks at a 7.
Laine: 7. A year ago, this rating would have been even higher, with Mayfield having finished with 41 touchdowns in 2024, the second-most in the league, and having led the Bucs to a 10-win season. And even in the first half of the season in 2025, Mayfield looked like an MVP candidate, in the way he led the offense in a near-record number of last-second comebacks. But he was hampered by left and right shoulder injuries and a knee injury.
Still, Mayfield saw his accuracy drop, and he had uncharacteristic overthrows with his receivers. His performance showed on third down, where his third down off-target percentage went from 13.6% in 2024 and 13.3% in 2023 to 22.4% in 2025. It was less noticeable on other downs. The Bucs’ playcalling took a step backward in 2025 with Josh Grizzard not able to fill the void left by Liam Coen as well, which would have put Mayfield in more favorable down-and-distance situations, but there were moments when Mayfield simply didn’t execute.
Well, Joe would list confidence in the Bucs’ quarterback room at a 6. Yes, Joe has newfound concerns about Baker Mayfield and when judging the Bucs’ backups… what backups? If Teddy Bridgewater was No. 2, then everything after that shouldn’t have been on the roster because perhaps Bridgewater shouldn’t have been on the roster.
It has shaken Joe how Baker Mayfield fell off a cliff after the bye week this past season. At one point he was the leader in the clubhouse for MVP and led the Bucs to a 6-2 record. Then, after the bye, the Bucs with Mayfield, lost seven of their final nine games.
Joe keeps coming back to the following two questions: Was Baker Mayfield so hurt that he could not lead the offense? And if he was, why then was Bridgewater not on the field?
Also, if the Bucs figured they’d get better play out of a maimed Mayfield than Bridgewater at 100 percent health, then why the hell was Bridgewater eating a roster spot?
If Joe were Team Glazer, with all the quarterbacks expected to hit the draft in 2027, Joe would have to see how Mayfield rebounds this fall before placing a new contract in front of Mayfield to sign.
Joe absolutely loves Mayfield’s intangibles. But at the end of the day, the man has to win games when you need them the most down the stretch.
If a starting quarterback can’t do that, then why would you give the man a costly extension?
January 25th, 2026 at 8:05 am
Can always draft a guy in the mid rounds and see what he can learn this off-season and regular season. Need to replace the backup, and the young guy they had was on IR all year. Add a guy in the draft.
January 25th, 2026 at 8:25 am
This QB draft class is meh at best…
We might be able to grab that midget from Vandy in the 4th or 5th.
He seems to have plenty of “moxie” and we love us some “moxie” don’t we boys?
LOL!
January 25th, 2026 at 8:26 am
I’ll take the contrarian view, Joe.
Sign Baker to an extension, a team friendly deal that takes that season long distraction off the table. Then lock down Mike, for at least a one year with one year deals the way we did with LVD. Now Robinson can take the offense and focus on football and returning those guys a 30 points per game juggernaut. Guarantee Mike and Chris are chomping on the bit. Get all those guys fired up and working together.
We’ve got a special teams coach to take over that mess from last season, add a couple stud to cover kicks and keep opposing lineman off McLaughlin and Dixon so they can just kick the damn ball.
And that leaves the time and money for Licht and Bowles to fix the damn defense. The talent on that side of the ball has been horrible for the last couple years. We’ve missed on draft picks and in FA. We got old – LVD and VV – and guys like AWJ and McCollum got their bag and played like garbage. I thought with keeping Bowles we were teed up to bring in a new DC and scheme, overhaul the roster and bring back the defensive fire Bucs fans know and love. And expect. Now it’s up to Jason and Todd to make that happen.
But start it off by securing Baker and Mike to solidify the offense and relaunch the offense with Robinson.
January 25th, 2026 at 8:26 am
a good 2023 season, a great 2024 season, and a great 1/2 of 2025 season. you don’t fall off the map just like that without a reason. something happened during the bye week that no one will ever know.
January 25th, 2026 at 8:29 am
Definitely need a back up QB that can play. Maybe Zack can get Cousins. lol. Baker’s big problem last season was his lack of protection. Center and two backup linemen were getting killed. Otton was also flat out missing blocks. Overall Barton is not that good and our backups are horrible. Baker ended up playing hurt.
January 25th, 2026 at 8:30 am
Cannot argue with that. I LOVE Baker, but if Baker cannot rebound to be the player he was in the first half of the ’25 season, then draft a QB in ’27.
January 25th, 2026 at 8:30 am
Mayfield won games down the stretch in both 2023 and 2024 to get us into the post-season.
If you want to throw the baby with the bathwater out because of a small sample size after 1 1/2 years of Top 8-5 level play. Well that’s your perogative. I don’t.
Also he wasn’t taken out because Mayfield is Mayfield. He wasn’t taken out against the Panthers in the last game of 2023 either even though he was a walking corpse.
Baker will stay in the game, Todd Bowles has to take him out. But its always easier to have a scapegoat as a HC.
January 25th, 2026 at 8:40 am
I always felt we signed bridgewater as a pr move and not to really back Baker up. Otherwise he should have played when Baker was actually hurt right? Or maybe Todd saw enough after Teddy’s hospital ball to Jmac. He didnt look good during the half that he had to cover for mayfield.
January 25th, 2026 at 8:44 am
The reality is, your Brock Purdy’s are incredibly rare, and Purdy should thank his lucky stars San Fran drafted him, as Shanahan has done well to make MOST QBs in his system look really good. Anywhere else and who knows if he’d be starting by now.
If you listen to the greats, i.e. Brady, Manning, the QBs coming out of college are so much more regressed than what it was just 10-15 seasons ago. As teams integrated more college level playcalling, to include the NIL, it’s changed how QBs are developing in college, whereas we see less pro ready talent and certainly less depth at the position. 78% of the league has first round QBs starting for them. A few of the other teams have 2nd Rounders, and the rest most likely will be drafting their first round QB in this year’s draft.
Point is, if we’re looking for someone to eventually replace Baker, anything past the 2nd round is most likely a backup QB, that’s just the way this league is right now. Given what we spent on Trask in the draft, might have been worth holding on to him, or going back to him, he was on the Falcon’s practice squad, and I’m a little surprised this kid hasn’t gotten a “good” look from anyone given his measurables and the college he came from.
January 25th, 2026 at 8:44 am
Color me super very comfortable confident. Baker didn’t suddenly forget how to play quarterback. Dude was beat to a pulp. Now about Bowles. Is there a number less than zero as it pertains to confidence? Thanks Glazers.
January 25th, 2026 at 8:44 am
Well let’s see if he bounces back this year after he’s 100 percent. Has a healthy OL and his 50th OC. I think he makes it.
January 25th, 2026 at 8:49 am
It would be better to draft a QB in ’27 no matter what. If Bake plays great and is the franchise player we all see he can be, draft a developmental QB in the later rounds in ’27 as the QB class will be deep. If Baker sucks (tank for a better draft pick?) draft a QB in the first round in ’27.
The Bucs have MANY needs in ’26 to waste even a 7th round pick on a QB. Not in any order: 2 ILB, at least 1 Edge, 2 DT, TE, backup OG, RB, backup OT… That is more than the draft picks we have. We will have to spend some $$$ in FA, especially at OLB, so we get one who can drop into coverage.
January 25th, 2026 at 8:51 am
@LetsBucs…small sample size? Dude has been in the league for 8 seasons!
It’s no longer a small sample size, it’s a trend. He’s good enough right now but lower your expectations on what you think he’ll deliver for us. Eventually we need to find someone, preferably a high draft pick to develop under him and eventually replace him. OR… Licht pulls out the big guns a makes a trade we don’t see coming.
January 25th, 2026 at 8:51 am
Forcing the ball to certain receivers is never a good thing. The biggest reason we won early is they were able to spread the ball around to a bunch of no name offensive players. When future hall of famers are playing like Evans, they are always the first look. Problem is there were quite a few times that neither of them were on the same page resulting in INT’s and drops.
January 25th, 2026 at 8:53 am
All the sample size counts —- and this article is on Baker and how he regressed last year.
He missed open receivers this year more than any of the other two years with the Bucs.
Really, at some point it does not matter who the OC is. So many outstanding QB’s have had 8 or more different OC’s in their career. I saw this stat, between 2022 season and 2024 season every single team in the NFL had changed their OC at least once.
Whether it is Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Kirk Cousins, Matt Stafford or Justin Herbert. QBs have to figure it out.
January 25th, 2026 at 8:58 am
Does all the wear and tear caused by Bakers’ style of play resulted in him being on the downside of his career?
January 25th, 2026 at 9:00 am
The evidence is clear. He had a great year in 2024, then a great 1st half in 2025 with his performance falling off a cliff in the 2nd half of the season. Protect him by bolstering the oline depth and get that running game back up to speed. Also, it is imperative to coach Baker to be more selective about when he runs and how he runs. He has to slide, no more taking on linebackers. Improving the defense will go a long way as well. Desperately running and crashing into linebackers to convert a third down becomes less crucial if you can rely on the defense to get the ball back by getting a stop.Lets not assume that Baker is all of a sudden cooked. It’s possible but physical declines are usually gradual over time.
January 25th, 2026 at 9:02 am
He is a great leader and a good QB. Streaky though..
everyone pretty much came out saying he is playing hurt except for the Bucs and him. What QB isn’t playing hurt? DJ playing with a broken leg. Countless times Qbs are playing with broken ribs or other issues. We have to game plan around the streakiness by continuing to run the ball and play much better defense. The latter is the hard part.
January 25th, 2026 at 9:05 am
100% Joe.
Teddy was on the injured list a couple of times; one being his teeth. He wasn’t the right backup for Baker. We need to get one of the QBs from the draft to depend on and for the future too. Baker would be an awesome mentor for a QB just starting out. And if he is really hurt, we have a capable backup.
January 25th, 2026 at 9:09 am
Baker will be in the MVP talk again next near ,,,, give the guy a little time to throw ,,, I’m sure the regression had nothing to do w Mauch, Ben B , Wirfs , Goedeke, Jordan and everyone else being hurt ,,, not to mention Godwin, Big Mike, JMac , Otten, Bucky all missing time ,, heck EE was hurt a few games also (but played) ,,you couple that with an ineffective rookie play caller , bad special teams and horrifying defense ,,, Baker basically went into scramble (survival ) mode on the third step of his three step drops ,, I think Robinson will be a step up play caller (somewhere between Canales and Coen)
January 25th, 2026 at 9:10 am
These new age Bucs fans saying this franchise shouldn’t sign baker to an extension and DRAFT a quarterback. The Tampa bay buccaneers should draft a quarterback😂. And Todd sucks just enough to be mediocre he’ll never be good enough to get you deep into the playoffs or get you a high draft pick. .500 football no man’s land won’t get you a franchise quarterback. Should be more constable with baker with Bowles
January 25th, 2026 at 9:11 am
Bucs defense gave away 3 of the last 7 losses. With those wins, Bucs finish 10–7 or 11-6 and we are not having this discussion. Clearly, Mayfield was hurt but the O line was pitiful.
January 25th, 2026 at 9:11 am
Yes Daniel Jones played with a broken leg and naturally his play suffered. Everyone has injuries, some more than others. Depending on the nature of the injuries, quality of play will suffer. Patrick Mahomes played with a bad ankle against the Buccaneers in SB and his play suffered for sure.
January 25th, 2026 at 9:14 am
Yes please draft a QB . Let’s see this team try develop another one only to watch him fail and get launched out of here.
The Bucs are well known for doing that. A few did go on to success somewhere else.
January 25th, 2026 at 9:19 am
It’s clear the Buccaneers are way too dependent on Baker Mayfield. The team has to improve all around so that when one facet is less than stellar then the other facets can pick them up. That’s a description of the 2025 Patriots. They are the best all around team right now and will probably win the SB.
January 25th, 2026 at 9:23 am
Gipper. You are blind lol 🤣🤣 Baker gave away 7 games that’s why he’s on his 4th team. And next year you will be following him to his 5th team.
January 25th, 2026 at 9:28 am
One of the many things associated with the wheels coming off was the loss of Bredeson. At THAT point, we went from one guard who shouldn’t be on the field too TWO guards who shouldn’t have been on the field. I think the only game we won after losing him was the season finale
January 25th, 2026 at 9:41 am
Lt. Dan Says:
January 25th, 2026 at 8:44 am
Color me super very comfortable confident. Baker didn’t suddenly forget how to play quarterback. Dude was beat to a pulp.
_______
Agreed.
People who are saying Baker is trash are failing to see the big picture.
The middle of our OL was just bad this past season and our Defense sucks.
I’m not saying Baker is perfect but come on, the guy can play at at high level and wants to win.
January 25th, 2026 at 9:47 am
Oneilbuc Says:
January 25th, 2026 at 9:23 am
Gipper. You are blind lol 🤣🤣 Baker gave away 7 games that’s why he’s on his 4th team. And next year you will be following him to his 5th team.
=======================================
Bucs up 28-14 in last ATL game and lost 30-28 on lsst second winning FG. You think one of the worst defenses in the NFL has anything to do with that loss? You need another hobby. Go down to the senior center and bore them down there.
January 25th, 2026 at 10:00 am
“You think one of the worst defenses in the NFL has anything to do with that loss? You need another hobby. Go down to the senior center and bore them down there.“
Gotta read the room better than this Gipper. Of all games you could’ve choose the Buffalo game and made a better case.
Yet, you’re using 1 of the 4 losses Baker threw a 4th qtr INT up 8 points and decided to two step around that to sound like you know wtf you’re talking about.
I see why you’re such a staunch Mayfield supporter, you relate to bad decision making 😂
The Ides Of Mayfield
“Alas my lord, your wisdom is consumed in confidence.”
Such a great quote, Caesar shoulda listened
January 25th, 2026 at 10:03 am
This Joe talks out of both sides of his mouth🤮🤮🤮
January 25th, 2026 at 10:06 am
Baker is not the issue. He was injured, playing hurt, dealing with bad playcalling, and the defense that couldn’t stop anybody when it counted, so he tried to do too much
January 25th, 2026 at 10:12 am
WarrenBrooksLoser,
Only in your narrow world with your other marching band members, Munch, DBBF99, and oneilbuc is an interception the end of a football game. Just watched many playoffs games where there were plenty of interceptions yet sound defenses won the game. The INT racket is a easy critique for dullards. There were at least 2INT’s charged to Mayfield in 2025 where the ball was wrestled away from Otton who had caught the ball.
January 25th, 2026 at 10:26 am
Sure it’s that easy, to just draft a quarterback right? This franchise has only been missing on them in the draft for 50 years now. I’ll name Doug Williams as the one exception.
Free agency brought us our two Super Bowl winning quarterbacks: Tom Brady and Brad Johnson
The draft brought us a bunch of losing with Freeman and Jay-Miss
January 25th, 2026 at 10:31 am
Bakers’ scrambling technique or lack thereof going buck wild and taking on LB’s and DB’s with no regard for safety will mean Baker will ALWAYS be injured during the season.
January 25th, 2026 at 10:34 am
I’m fine with our #1, we have nothing after that. Baker haters, in franchise history how many quarterbacks have we had better while in Tampa (not what they became, like Steve Young), but what they were in Tampa? Only two are obvious- Doug Williams and Tom Brady. Quit acting like we have some reason to be on a high horse of quality quarterbacks.
January 25th, 2026 at 10:35 am
Personally, I like FrontFour’s plan.
January 25th, 2026 at 10:36 am
Doc, please draft a quarterback to give Baker competion. Everyone plays better when someone is pushing them.
January 25th, 2026 at 10:37 am
The Bridgewater signing is definitely a head scratcher.
January 25th, 2026 at 10:44 am
The QB position is the most important position in all sports
The team, coaches relies on him more than any other players
He can make or break the team
They need to get this right, they have all off-season to right the ship
Baker Mayfield need a veteran to challenge him for the job
The clipboard days are over, Bake need legitimate competition
And he need someone to step in, when he’s off, or can’t go
Jobs are on the line now, no more cake walking
January 25th, 2026 at 10:46 am
I said this in another thread i would go get Drew Lock or the kid from the, The Jets and let get coached up with a good QB coach. They good skill sets. Learn how read Defenses. Give them a chance. Ask Sam Darnold Matt Jones hell ask Baker Mayfield.
January 25th, 2026 at 10:46 am
Oneilbuc Says
“Gipper. You are blind lol 🤣🤣 Baker gave away 7 games…”
I will never understand how some fans always want to choose a single cause for losses.
The truth is that Baker Mayfield was PART of the reason for those losses, but not the whole reason.
If the defense was better, Mayfield would not have needed to take risks.
If Bowles hadn’t insisted on signing a useless backup, Mayfield could have been given time to heal.
If the offensive line hadn’t been constructed of 3rd and 4th stringers, he would never have been injured.
If his three best WRs had not suffered long term injuries, he would not have had to throw to backups who he wasn’t used to throwing to.
If his left shoulder, right throwing arm, and ribs had not been injured, he would have been as accurate as he was before the injuries.
Those are not excuses. Those are realities. Everything adds up like pennies. Eventually you have too many at once.
Baker Mayfield played great before his injuries…well enough to be considered a league MVP. That was not a fluke, regardless of what fans of other teams try to claim.
January 25th, 2026 at 10:49 am
So i just finished the 10 part Bucs,50 mini series. The last scene says it all. It shows,Baker scrambling for a first down against your Playoff 49ers. Ironically their starting QB was hurt and they backup went on to win 3 games. That s the answer. Go out and sign Pickens or Mariotta. Quarterbacks get hurt. It happened to the 49ers but the difference is they had a good backup. It is also a back against the wall contract year for baker. I expect a bounce back year in 2026.
January 25th, 2026 at 10:55 am
Jeesh, ALL OF THE IGNORING of the “3rd and 28″… and us really being a 4 win team if it hadnt been for Baker coming back with 60 seconds left….
Ok then, I guess its ALL Baker’s fault for the D….he shouldve been covering receivers better and sacking the quarterback…..what a ruse!
January 25th, 2026 at 10:57 am
“Just watched many playoffs games where there were plenty of interceptions yet sound defenses won the game”
How’d that work out for the Bears & Texans, Gipper?
January 25th, 2026 at 11:05 am
Looking forward to Rams Vs Patriots,super bowl. Either way I win. I moved to Boston after coming back from Germany and the Army. Lived there 4 years. Then after grad school in Phoenix i moved to LA and lived there 13 years. Ironically LA had no NFL the entire time I lived there. UsC vs UCLA was their super bowl. i dated girls from both of those schools. Just the good tines i had in LA and Boston wants me to cheer for both teams. I saw Larry birds last game ever live at the old Gardens against the Pacers ironically.
January 25th, 2026 at 11:10 am
Oh looks it’s the Gipper we’re in the Bucs offseason which means he just woke up from his coma. The Bucs defense only gave away 3 of the last 7 games?
You’ve gone into a coma at the beginning of the last 4 seasons the wake up after the season is over talking nonsense. Wasn’t that you who blamed the playoff loss on Coen and McMillan and the offense? 4 quarters and that one play lost the game even though the defense never made a rookie quarterback they beat in week 1 punt
January 25th, 2026 at 11:13 am
When the D is off the charts bad ,,, sometimes the QB presses ,,, team losses ,,, Josh Allen did a pretty good job making up losing the game against the broncos ,,, maybe the Bills should get rid of him too!!!
Sign Baker to a three year , home team friendly , extension , those wanting a new QB need to realize Baker is a top ten QB so to improve on that would be very hard . Maybe draft a QB in 2027 when the draft is rich in QBs .
Give him a good Oline, a running game and a DECENT D (not even great , Decent) and he can go far,, I’m excited to see him with Robinson
January 25th, 2026 at 11:37 am
A big offseason priority is to get a competent veteran backup quarterback. Someone like a Gardner Minshew or Jameis. Bridgewater and Trask weren’t competent enough to fill in for a game or two forcing the coaching staff to play an injured Mayfield this year and un 2023.
January 25th, 2026 at 11:42 am
Bucs would have been 2-15 without mayfield. This team stinks
January 25th, 2026 at 11:47 am
“We might be able to grab that midget from Vandy in the 4th or 5th.”
No more hobbitsess
January 25th, 2026 at 11:47 am
8 teams in the NFL had less turnovers than the Bucs 16 last year. The Patriots also had 16. Seahawks had 28. Panthers and Ravens had 23. 49ers had 22. Chargers 21 and Bills 19. Jaguars had 18 and the Broncos had 17. We had less turnovers than all of those teams. WBL, Baker had 5 less picks this year than last. When you have a good team you overcome turnovers and when you have 100 million dollars worth of offensive players sitting on their a$$e$ on the sideline and a defense that’s the laughingstock of the league along with the worst special teams in the league and an overwhelmed OC and a meddling head coach, well, if anyone wants to blame Mayfield step right up. He’s nominated as Tampa Bay’s man of the year and he was by far the most valuable player on the team last season and it’s not even close. And that folks, is simply the truth.
January 25th, 2026 at 11:48 am
Agreed lightningvinny1.. Allen had 4 turnovers in that last game.Fire him. Mahomes did not make the playoffs…fire him. The Texans guy threw 4 Tds and the Patriots Drake fumbled 3 times. Fire them both. The Denver kid broke his ankle on a kneel down Double fire him. Bears guy threw,an interception on the last drive just like baker did against the Lions. Fir, fire, fire. Purdy scored 3 points against Seattle. Fire them all. And lastly the Lions did not make the playoffs. You know,what to do.
January 25th, 2026 at 11:52 am
Great Idea. Go get Jay-miss. He got benched in Cleveland. Started for NY. 2 td -2 interceptions. Lost all 3 games. Of course there will be all kinds of excuses for that.
January 25th, 2026 at 12:05 pm
buc4evr … ‘Baker’s big problem last season was his lack of protection. Center and two backup linemen were getting killed.’
Baker’s sacks (2023-2025) tell a little different story (17 games each season) …
o 2023: 40 sacks … 112 Pressures … 141 Blitz … 20 Batted Balls … 17 Throwaway … 81 Bad Throw … 2.4 sec Pocket Time
o 2024: 40 sacks … 109 Pressures … 175 Blitz … 14 Batted Balls … 7 Throwaway … 63 Bad Throws … 2.2 sec Pocket Time
o 2025: 36 sacks … 92 Pressures … 146 Blitz … 14 Batted Balls … 13 Throwaway … 83 Bad Throw … 2.3 sec Pocket Time
Those stats (from Pro-Football-Reference) seem to say that our 2025 OLine was on a par (at least) with our 2023 OLine, and actually did better in several categories (in supporting Baker) than our 2024 OLine did.
I totally agree that he was working behind a makeshift OLine for most of last season, but I’m not sure that was Baker’s biggest problem. Personally I think his 2 biggest problems were (1) his own injuries; and (2) lack of practice each week due to Baker AND the offense being so beaten up.
January 25th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
i like how we have oline injury discussions totally separate from QB play.
Is a Qb already dinged going to play different when he knows on any given play he might be leveled because a 4th string line man gets beat in a second? yep.
January 25th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
WBL and the lot would love for everybody else to be as dumb as they are to believe no other starting qb’s throw interceptions or fumble. You people shouldn’t be allowed on this “football” site.
January 25th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
Marky mark, EXACTLY
January 25th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
I hate to be the one to tell the 5 idiots on this site this but teams don’t make it to the championship game with a coach that consistently ranks in the lower 3rd of coaches very often. It can happen but it doesn’t happen very often, so… coaching matters. When your HC has to hire a person to deal with the clock, well that’s not the sign of a great coach.
January 25th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
So, in franchise history, other than Doug Williams and Tom Brady, which quarterback has been THAT much better than Baker?
January 25th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
Who is available next season as a FA to replace Teddy Ballgame as the 2nd team QB who qon’t break the bank but could actually PLAY when Baker gets injured and is able to carry the team to a 2-2 record if Baker is injured and has to miss 4 games? Bring back, Kyle Trask? Any younger versions of Phil Rivers out there?
How about Jay-miss Winston?
January 25th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
“WBL and the lot would love for everybody else to be as dumb as they are to believe no other starting qb’s throw interceptions or fumble.“
Whataboutism is rotting your brain. Nobody is making the case that QBs don’t throw picks, that’s stupid and also a rebuttal of you Mayfieldites whenever HIS INTs are mentioned.
Again, look at the Dolphins game. We lost that game by 3 points holding MIA to 20, the fact you jumps can’t say the 3 drives we turned the ball over could gotten anywhere from 3-27 MORE points.
Some of you are lost causes on the matter, because your so dug into your bias for 1 player you can’t be objective about HIS play.
It’s pathetic. You’ll overblow a game as a “comeback” like the Houston game, when in reality we scored on 3 of 9 possession and punted 6 times in a row. You don’t need a “comeback” when you allow 19 points, but let y’all tell it Mayfield won the game by himself
Funny that magic was nowhere to be found 2 games before the bye not the 9 games afterward
January 25th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
That is a fair question and one his quarterback coach Thad Lewis openly talked about last offseason, that they need Mayfield to stay in the pocket more because a 30-year old QB can’t absorb the punishment that a 25-year old QB can.
No doubt about it, Mayfield won the Bucs a few games before the bye with his legs. That’s why he was an MVP candidate. But your question is very fair: Did all that running early on cost a toll after the bye?
January 25th, 2026 at 1:06 pm
Baker and the offense gave away games because they couldn’t execute plain and simple. Too many 3&outs too many missed opportunities caused by lack of blocking, dropped passes AND a qb not able to see open receivers or simply straight up missing them. When we needed just 3 more points to salt a game away they couldn’t get it done. They’re supposed to put points on the board and couldn’t/ didn’t. Baker touched the ball on 100% of the pass plays so he shoulders a large part of the blame because he over compensates and tries to do things his body can’t handle. If he had learned how to read defenses before the snap like Brady, Mahomes and all the other great qbs instead of having to wait to guess the defenses hand signals(HIS WORDS) half way into a game, he wouldn’t look like a squirrel in traffic when his first read isn’t open or blocking isn’t quite holding up. Baker relies too much on his ability to escape pressure instead of the having the confidence of knowing where to go with the ball. We don’t have to talk about the defense or special teams because all true Buc fans know about it. We blame the offense because between Baker and the offense it didn’t do enough so that it didn’t matter.
Gulper shut yer pie hole you whiny lil ninny, you and the Baker Pom Pom Glee Club are the reason the “haters” pick on his negatives. He’ll never be a great qb because you goils always whisper sweet nothings in his ear, and everybody knows he always needs to feel doubted as his playing fuel. He has played horribly in sooooo many half of games only to be forced to play recklessly to catch up. He’s a short qb who plays that way to compensate for his short comings as an athlete who’s supported by thousands of “guys” who’ve been doubted their whole lives. You people remind me of Ruby Rhod’s entourage in 5th Eldment.
January 25th, 2026 at 1:12 pm
He might need to save that 3rd down magic for the playoffs
January 25th, 2026 at 1:13 pm
WBL WITH THE WIN!!!
January 25th, 2026 at 1:13 pm
The Bucs guaranteed Baker’s deal, so the confidence is a 10 that he’s going to start no matter what. But they need a legitimate backup option because everyone knows Baker is going to get ‘hurt’ again, like he does every year.
Still, even I’d put confidence at like a 7 – there’s no choice not to unless you want to write off the year before it even beings.
BUT, a REAL backup option is a must. And for fun, it should be Jamies — then just ride the hot hand from week to week.
January 25th, 2026 at 1:17 pm
I’m watching highlights of the championship teams and my beloved BUCS don’t compare to them. They Hit so much harder and look faster than we do. Might be awhile before we’re competitive again uhh.
January 25th, 2026 at 1:17 pm
Bonza. Baker was the main reason bro look at the scores of those games and see how many points they gave up ? It wasn’t the defense fault when Baker threw a pick late in the 4th quarter against the Saints . It wasn’t the defense fault when Baker threw a another late 4th quarter pick against the falcons when he could have closed out the game. And defense gave up a TD . But the offense got the ball back and Baker missed Payne Durham wide open in the middle of the field and he has time to throw the ball and that would have closed out the game. It wasn’t the defense fault when Baker threw a pick against the Panthers and lost the game and he had time to throw and he missed Godwin wide open and that would have been a TD . It wasn’t the defense fault against the eagles when he threw a pick in the red zone and lost that game. It wasn’t the defense fault against the dolphins when he threw 2 picks and fumble the ball and lost that game. Baker ain’t a franchise quarterback and he’s not a Superbowl quarterback either. The bucs will not win or go to a Superbowl with Baker Mayfield and that’s just the truth. And the last half of the season he’s proven why he’s on his 4th team.
January 25th, 2026 at 1:22 pm
And it ain’t going to matter how good the defense is when you have a quarterback like Baker Mayfield. He had everything in Cleveland and still couldn’t win just look at the Texans and they’re good defense and the same will happen to the bucs with Baker at quarterback.
January 25th, 2026 at 1:27 pm
Gipper. And he threw a pick that game which was almost a pick 6 late in the 4th quarter and it put the defense in a bad situation. And they got the ball right back and he missed Payne Durham wide open in the middle of the field that throw would have closed out the game and the 3rd 28 don’t happen. Baker is not a franchise quarterback 3 other teams has already said that. And to be honest ain’t no good coach wants to come here and be tide to Baker Mayfield that’s why we didn’t get the good OC’s.
January 25th, 2026 at 1:34 pm
Joe … ‘But your question is very fair: Did all that running early on cost a toll after the bye?’
Baker ran 22 times (for 158 yards, 11 first downs & 0 TDs) in the 8 games prior to the BYE, and 33 times (for 224 yards, 16 first downs & 1 TD) in the 9 games after the BYE. IOW generally Baker ran a little MORE after the BYE, got MORE first downs by running, and even scored 1 TD by rushing.
Bottom line to me was that Baker is Baker, and he’s gonna do his thing on the field come he11 or high water. But when he’s injured and playing ‘his way’ it’s more of a case of HOW WELL he can do what he does. And we’ve all seen the answer to that question; there were a number of games when Baker should’ve been on the bench instead of in the game.
January 25th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
A “7?” REALLY!? That is such a typical empty number from her. HOW can you give a 7 (which is a pretty high number for the “room”), with an often “injured” starting QB who might be Top-10 in the league one minute, and then Bottom-10 the next!? And, the ‘kicker’ is at the backup position… I mean, do we even HAVE ONE!? Is it still TEDDY!? Or, what!? The ‘number’ is entirely irrelevant anyway. Especially, at this point.
January 25th, 2026 at 2:06 pm
They have all the time in the world before they need to worry about extending Baker. There is no possible reason to extend HIM, or even THINK ABOUT IT. Until, after the season. There won’t be this huge ‘bidding war’ for him to begin with. Especially, with the amount of talent in next years’s draft, and with other established veterans available, such as Mac Jones, & etc. Plus, you CAN’T handcuff your potential future GM and HC, and ‘limiting’ your candidate pool, by doing something STUPID like, re-signing BAKER to a longterm deal for his age 32-36 year-old seasons. That would be REAL DUMB. There is NO hurry!!!!
January 25th, 2026 at 2:19 pm
Onielbuc at least you admit CJ Stroud ducks,as bad as baker. How about that overtime int we the Bears kid threw. Oh and guess what Jackson did not even make the playoffs. Fire them all.
January 25th, 2026 at 2:19 pm
Joe dont fall victim to the Browns philosophy and let go of an injured Baker! Guy was obviously banged up badly…the year before stats prove this…and speaking of,he had yet another O.C.in the green and obviously fireable Grizzard, had one decent w.r in a ROOKIE E.E., while the other 3 were hurt! A line that was swapping players around left and right, and a defense so bad they could not like other teams over come one interception and still win…I mean what are we even talking about here!? That dude is the heart of this bored and listless team…remove him at ur own peril
January 25th, 2026 at 2:26 pm
Likely 2026 NFL free agent QBs (to watch): in order target; Daniel, pickett, then Mac and lance last
Daniel Jones, Aaron Rodgers,vJameis Winston, Sam Darnold, russell Wilson, Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett, Trey Lance, Mac Jones, joe Flacco, tyrod Taylor, Case Keenum
January 25th, 2026 at 2:51 pm
Teams win championships. Players don’t win championships. So there’s that. Let’s watch this backup QB for Denver. Fixing to kick off. Denver has a good team. Part of being a good team is having a good backup quarterback. And dominant lines of scrimmage. Denver checks those boxes. We don’t. Dadgummit.
January 25th, 2026 at 3:14 pm
As for the bye-week mystery, I think it was mostly coincidence, greatly affected by the strength of opponents at the time we played them. I also think opponents had two weeks to realize that the Bucs they would be playing were not the formidable squad advertised in the pre-season, primarily because of injuries and the attempts to compensate for them. I would say that almost all positions, regardless of individual player, underperformed expectations, even the kickers. Opponents could game plan against the actual bodies that would be on the field, knowing they had an edge they did not have against the projected starters. This also increased their confidence in winning, giving them another advantage. Critics can simplistically focus this cumulative diminution on the one player who almost always touches the ball, but the results of what he does are often dependent on what others do. Offensive linemen get good grades if the QB doesn’t get hit because he released the ball early and missed an “open” receiver who ran the wrong route to get open.
January 25th, 2026 at 3:14 pm
DavidBigBucsFan99 Says:
January 25th, 2026 at 1:06 pm
Gulper shut yer pie hole you whiny lil ninny, you and the Baker Pom Pom Glee Club are the reason the “haters” pick on his negatives.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hey man, you are the ome who makes non stop sexual innuedo for anyone who defends Baker. You are a crude dude who obviously lacks class. Go back to the trailer park and down another case.
January 25th, 2026 at 3:19 pm
Well Kenton would you look at that
January 25th, 2026 at 3:32 pm
Oops!!! Drake Maye, MVP of 2025 threw a ball from his own 8 yard line that should have been a pick six on the 3rd play of the game. Oh, you mean other qb’s throw interceptions in the playoffs?!?! Oh no, there go the haters theory that only our QB throws interceptions in the playoffs. 😂
January 25th, 2026 at 3:45 pm
Mark marky. He threw a pick and lost the game so what are you talking about. But let’s be honest you talking about quarterbacks that’s been in the league not even 5 years. Baker has been in the NFL and he’s still playing the same way late 4th quarter ints. And as for Lamar Jackson at least he got to a conference championship game and won the MVP 2 years in a row. But getting to a conference championship game brings more hope than a guy that’s never been there. If they reed do that draft over Baker Mayfield wouldn’t go in the first round at all he will go in the 3rd round.
January 25th, 2026 at 3:53 pm
There is no amount of truth, facts or stats that is going to change the Baker haters mind about Baker. You can tell them he has the highest playoff passer rating of all time but they will still say he’s a choker. You can point out that he has led the league in 3rd down conversions and most yards per carry all with his athleticism but they will still say he is unathletic. You can point out he owns the record for the longest throw in a game but they will still say he has a weak arm. You can point out that he had the best completion percentage when he had just a decent line but they will still say he is inaccurate. You can point out that he took a team from 1-31 to their first playoff win since before he was born and would have went to the AFC Championship game if not for the worst no call targeting play that cost them the game and conviently sent Mahomes instead who everybody knows Baker beat that day but they will still say he can’t put a team on his back and win. In other words he could win 10 superbowls in a row but they would still say he’s a bum. In others words they just hate Baker and there is no solution for that…
January 25th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
Mark. And I hope they don’t get no more free agent quarterbacks it’s time to draft another quarterback with these weapons this offense is set up perfect for a rookie quarterback this year or next year. Jason Licht done a bad job building around Jamies and not to mention the coaches he had. With Jamies it was Mike Evans and nothing else because Jackson was injured that year and he was old and washed up at the time. Jamies was asked to throw 45 to 50 times a game plus with the worse defense and the best division in football. Baker playing in the worse division in football with better receivers and running game and Baker is not asked to throw 45 to 50 times a game. When did throw 45 times every body on here asked where was the running game? Baker is playing with even a better defense than Jamies had when it comes to them giving up points. Baker ain’t getting us to the NFC Championship or Superbowl.
January 25th, 2026 at 4:01 pm
Given the horrible decision making the last two off-seasons by the glazers regarding the HC, and some of lichts recent questionable player extensions I guess I wouldn’t be shocked if they extended mayfield but I really hope they don’t.
If he bounces back and responds well next year then sure.
There’s just no reason to attach yourself to him with guarantees when you don’t have to this offseason.
January 25th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
Just STOP comparing BAKER to Lamar Jackson. NO ONE is buying that, and it just makes you look STUPID and DESPERATE. And, for all of these Baker-Bois… So, Would YOU Extend HIM Right NOW!? And, FOR WHAT… What is YOUR TOP $$$$ Amount, that YOU’D be ‘willing to’ give for him!? Cause, I’d like to know!?
January 25th, 2026 at 4:07 pm
The only reason NOT to extend Mayfield is if his surgically related injured shoulder is more significant than we were told.
If that were the case, he would not have been on the field.
Extend him, it will only be more expensive, later.
January 25th, 2026 at 4:15 pm
“There’s just no reason to attach yourself to him with guarantees when you don’t have to this offseason.”
Ding-Ding-Ding-Ding. It’d be THE ‘DUMBEST’ Thing EVER. Would make absolutely NO SENSE. You narrow your available pool of future GM’s and HC’s, by handcuffing yourself with a ‘multi-year’ deal like that on BAKER. Also, it’ll be just like last time, and there will NOT be teams ‘lining-up’ to get involved in a Baker bidding-war. It’s just not happening, no matter WHAT “Baker’s Agent” says. Especially, not with the amount of ‘high-level’ TALENT in next years draft… Again, just like with the last-time Baker was a free agent.
January 25th, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Oh, Baker will get a multi year extention because the people that know, know how good he is and that he is a team player. He will do anything to win.
January 25th, 2026 at 4:41 pm
There is no comparing Baker to Lamar. Lamar has never taken a 1-31 team to the playoffs and if not for the refs winning the game for Mahomes going to a superbowl with that sorry organization. Oh I forgot NO QUARTERBACK has ever done that!!!😂
January 25th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
It’s interesting that of all 4 teams left in the playoffs they all have healthy offensive lines. Did we have a healthy line all year? Oh wait we didn’t, thus Baker being hurt. But its all Bakers fault that we didn’t go to the superbowl says the ignorant haters. If we just would have had another qb we wouldn’t need a line!!! You can’t make this stuff up
January 25th, 2026 at 6:04 pm
To all you Baker fan boys Baker Mayfield is not a franchise quarterback and it doesn’t matter how much you love him lol 😆😆. He’s not a good quarterback and I can promise you ain’t know other team is going to pay him franchise quarterback money. He suck he had everything in Cleveland and still couldn’t win. Lol 🤣🤣 get over it y’all will be following him to his 5th team next year. Lol 🤣🤣 and I can’t wait until all y’all fake bucs fans are gone!!
January 25th, 2026 at 6:15 pm
Oneilbuc
Maybe you can follow America’s Turn over Machine to his 5th team. That’s if someone picks him up.
January 25th, 2026 at 8:12 pm
“they need Mayfield to stay in the pocket more because a 30-year old QB can’t absorb the punishment.”
Just because you leave the pocket, doesn’t mean you HAVE TO run-it. You CAN still throw-it! The key is to just not take big-hits” and BE SMART. You’d THINK that surely by now, after 8-years in the league, that Baker would be smart enough to be able to avoid those types of big-hits. You know, I’m definitely not seeing him ever SLIDE, ether. He needs to go and spend a part of spring training with the Rays, or one of the other local teams, such as the Yankees, Phillies, or Blue Jays! He needs to learn how to SLIDE.
January 25th, 2026 at 8:16 pm
@ Bucblind II Says: “Oh, Baker will get a multi year extention.”
Okay, but that wasn’t the question! HOW MUCH will he get, and how much would YOU GIVE right now!?
January 25th, 2026 at 8:26 pm
@ Bucblind II Says: “Oh, Baker will get a multi year extention because the people that know, know how good he is and that he is a team player. He will do anything to win.”
Okay, now you are just a delusional troll. NOT even a ‘serious’ person. Cause, NOT a single honest person would even begin to compare the two. There have been LOTS of substandard below average quarterbacks who have won playoffs games. Honestly, I believe that Baker is a mostly competent, solid, and slightly above average ‘starter’ in the league, for most of the time. Btw, Lamar will be all ‘smiles’ when becoming a ‘FIRST-BALLOT” HOF’er. Baker will NEVER even receive the FIRST single vote… Will NEVER be on the ballot. But, YOU already know this tho… And, that is why YOU ARE just a troll.
January 25th, 2026 at 8:29 pm
@ Bucblind II – THIS was actually the comment I was referring to…
“There is no comparing Baker to Lamar. Lamar has never taken a 1-31 team to the playoffs and if not for the refs winning the game for Mahomes going to a superbowl with that sorry organization. Oh I forgot NO QUARTERBACK has ever done that!!!😂”
January 25th, 2026 at 8:41 pm
It would be no different than someone saying that TIM COUCH could’ve/would’ve/should’ve been a HOF’er… IF NOT for ‘expansion team’ Cleveland, destroying HIS CAREER. I mean, yeah… I guess, He Coulda/Shoulda/Woulda (and he was a Farrrrr “SUPERIOR TALENT” than Good Ol’ Bake Bake). But, HE DIDN’T. So, get over it! It doesn’t matter how hard YOU TRY to wish-it or make-it TRUE. It’s just not the reality, and it never will be.
January 25th, 2026 at 9:27 pm
Oh-Squeal must be using voice to text.
His reelz intel e gentz be comin thru reel smoove.
Lawd haff mercy.
January 25th, 2026 at 9:51 pm
MelJR.,
You are a mental midget. A clue is your run on, endless paragraphs that drone on in a maze of confusion.
January 25th, 2026 at 10:07 pm
Well well Sam Darnold is going to the Super Bowl! Played a fantastic game tonight on a great team with great coaches and he wasn’t just a game manager. The Seahawks rode his arm and a great running game too. The point is that Darnold was trashed probably even more than Baker by his haters over the years. Look at him now, the first of that 2018 qb class to make it to the big show. How ‘bout that! Just goes to show that you just never know. On his fourth or fifth team no less!
January 26th, 2026 at 7:57 am
I think onielbuc is right. No mercy for any QB anywhere. Cj stroud needs to go. 5 years is long enough to know u suck in last drives in the playoffs. Clearly can not win
Close in big games as,we,saw last week. Mahomes, Jackson, and the Detroit guy did not make the playoffs just like Baker. Equal traction under the law fire them al!. Sam Darnold on his 5th team. Baker on his fourth. Four teams is too many under the Onielbuc rules Fire them both. Oh wait Darnold in the super bowl scratch that rule. Still any failure amt time,anywhere cut the loser. . That’s the Onue!buc rule. Oh Purdy needs to go.
January 26th, 2026 at 8:00 am
Onielbuc is getting soft. Making excuses for a Stroud, Jackson, and Mahomes,above. Are you a fan boi of those guys!
January 26th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
My feelings on the teams collapse is they got cocky and started thinking just showing up on Sunday was enough to win the game. I think that was the message baker and Todd kept preaching about killer instinct. I most certainly could be wrong but under Bowles that seems to be the m.o. of the team. Play well, get cocky and started believing slipping