Jake Browning Sounds Like He Wants To Be Baker Mayfield
March 15th, 2026
New Bucs backup QB Jake Browning.
Jake Browning doesn’t know Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield personally. But the way he spoke Friday to the Tampa Bay pen and mic club in a Zoom conference, Browning figured if the Bucs were good enough for Mayfield, the Bucs were good enough for him.
“I’ve always been a fan of Baker Mayfield,” Browning said. “I’m excited to be in the room and see how he operates.”
For a backup, at times Browning looked sharp. Other times, well, he offered up valid reasons why he wasn’t starting in the NFL. You know, a typical backup quarterback. Like Joe often says, backups are backups for a reason.
You hope if you need a backup, then they make just enough good plays and don’t embarrass themselves to bridge the gap until a starter returns.
Back in 2023, Browning started seven games for the injured Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow. Browning was 4-3 and connected on 70 percent of his passes. He led an incredible December comeback in Cincinnati against Minnesota. Trailing 17-3 after three quarters, Browning marched the Bengals to three fourth-quarter touchdown drives, including two touchdown passes from Browning, before Cincinnati won 27-24 in overtime.
So how did he decide on the Bucs, aside from getting to work with Mayfield?
Browning said he sat down with his agent toward the end of January and studied teams that his agent expected to be looking for backups. The Bucs were on that list.
“Had [the Bucs] toward the top if not the top,” Browning said. “Obviously, [the Bucs have] been able to win a lot of games here the past few years. A recent Super Bowl [as well].
“Tampa is hard to beat for living, too.”
So why did the Washington product, who briefly played with Cade Otton in college, have such an up-and-down history when taking over for Burrow? Browning was blunt.
“Hero ball,” Browning said. “I tried to make some throws which were dumb.”
In the best of worlds, the Bucs will never have to see Browning make a throw. That would mean Baker Mayfield is just fine.
Another reason Browning chose the Bucs? When healthy, he said, the Bucs’ offensive line helps make quarterbacks look smarter, play better and stay upright.
“I ran into Tristan Wirfs in the locker room and [Bucs offensive line coach Kevin Carberry] said that’s what an offensive lineman should look like,” Browning said. “I agree.”
March 15th, 2026 at 12:06 am
Likely the best backup QB the Bucs have had in years. Since Fitzpatrick backing up Jameis anyway.
Will the Bucs be smart enough to give him action if Baker gets injured again. I used to think yes, absolutely but Bowles and Licht have really shaken the faith around here.
To that last article, of course it got awkward with Evans. Licht couldn’t figure out why he would leave so I hope Mike spelled it out for him. Told him to visit JoeBucsFan and read some comments about his defensive guru HC.
March 15th, 2026 at 12:45 am
Cool. So he wants to be over-exaggerated about and then fade in crunch time. Perfect. In fairness, any Bucs QB will think they need a 40 burger to have a chance. This defensive coordinator can give up 3 TDs in 6 minutes, that’s been proven. If the D needs to win it at the end, if they need to close it out, they. Will. Not. Can. Not.
So give Baker that slack.
March 15th, 2026 at 12:53 am
I like the signing. He is only 6-2 and if he can pull it down and scramble like Baker? Oh and not turn the ball over… 70% completions is nothing to discount in the NFL. That Minnesota game got him paid this year.
Go Bucs!
March 15th, 2026 at 2:49 am
Ya. go bucs
March 15th, 2026 at 4:43 am
At least he picked the Bucs & they choose him because of his performance in a series of games not because he’s friends with rhe coach or something like that. T think it’s a solid pick up Welcome to Tampa Bay
March 15th, 2026 at 6:32 am
Nice back up but as long as we still have Todd, watching Bucs feels a bit pointless.
Too bad Mike left, but who can blame him?
March 15th, 2026 at 6:59 am
Would rather have a QB who can push Baker, and possibly be his eventual replacement. Competition makes everyone better right?
March 15th, 2026 at 7:08 am
Looks like we are on the annual QB backup carousel. Not sure if Trask as a perennial backup was a better option. But one game after your starter gets hurt, everyone is screaming the backup isn’t good enough. Then you go get Flacco or Foles or — Winston?!
March 15th, 2026 at 7:34 am
At some point in each season Baker has been injured. Browning looks like an improvement over past Bachups. I like this select..
March 15th, 2026 at 7:41 am
Saskbucs took te words right out of my mouth – best Bucs backup since FitzMagic.
Can’t wait to see who else the Bucs pick up, likely mostly in the draft.
It’s easy to bash the team but with few exceptions, their games are always exciting, very close and entertaining. Sometimes you get a “whew, we pulled it off barely”, sometimes a super maddening feeling of “we let that one slip away” (but with much more colorful language).
Much more fun that watching the old Bucs teams, knowing you were going to get slaughtered most weeks.
It all comes down to injuries. like it does with every team. If they stay healthy, this team could go very far. If not, we’re looking at another losing season due to lack of depth.
March 15th, 2026 at 7:54 am
Heinicke was and is available. He has better stats and more experience. He plays the same type of game as Baker. He can win games. Almost beat Brady. Couldn’t believe he did not replace Teddy with him last year. He could have filled in for Baker when he was hurt.
March 15th, 2026 at 7:56 am
Browning is the right choice for the back up QB position. Check that concern off of the long list of needs.
March 15th, 2026 at 8:20 am
Surprised Joe didn’t mention his fiance yet. Has a big personality, a social media following and is known for her wild game day outfits. This girl will fit in well in Tampa.
March 15th, 2026 at 8:23 am
He is exactly right. He tried playing too much hero ball. He looked pretty good that first year, as long as we stayed within the system and was focused. He got himself into trouble after having some success, and perhaps got a little cocky, thinking he was better than what he really was. LoL Sound Familiar!? Couple that with a HORRID O-Line, and last season’s version of “Jake Browning” was what the Bengals got.
March 15th, 2026 at 9:16 am
“Hero ball,” Browning said. “I tried to make some throws which were dumb.”
Lmaoooo, the self awareness!
Uncle Rico would never.
March 15th, 2026 at 9:52 am
Ya know what I like about this signing? He knows his lane. No friction, no power struggle, no hard feelings, just learn the offence and be ready! Also, anyone notice all the new name in here with the same old dumb comments? I guess those old names got blocked.
March 15th, 2026 at 10:24 am
Good pick up….I still hope we can land someone in the draft though. Im really liking Taylen Green, probably a 4th or Sawyer Robertson, a 5th.
March 15th, 2026 at 10:24 am
Browning needs to make himself so good that Bowles will use him when Bake gets hurt. Bake will play hurt, but not play well. Browning has to push himself to play and prove to Zac/Todd that he can deliver.
March 15th, 2026 at 10:32 am
“Browning needs to make himself so good that Bowles will use him when Bake gets hurt. Bake will play hurt, but not play well.”
What happens when he doesn’t play well and he’s moderately healthy, then what?
March 15th, 2026 at 10:36 am
best qb we have unfortunately
March 15th, 2026 at 11:03 am
WisconsinBucsFan Says:
March 15th, 2026 at 10:36 am
best qb we have unfortunately
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Yeah, too bad. Mayfield in his Buc career, has been second in the entire NFL with 95 TD passes in the last 3 years. You are going to be sad when Baker signs his next Buc contract at $50Mill/yr for 4 years. Price is going to really go up after Mayfield lights things up in 2026.
March 15th, 2026 at 11:04 am
Taylor’s Heineken would’ve been a better choice. Plus I love beer.
March 15th, 2026 at 11:09 am
WBL. Baker Mayfield is the QB for the Bucs. Do you think he is going to be benched for “not playing well”? That’s according to you, right? Stop being so dumb. He’ll be benched when he’s injured. He won’t be our QB if he’s not playing well. But to think they will ever shuffle another QB in because Baker is not “playing well” is just ridiculous. If that ever were to happen it wouldn’t happen again because Baker would be gone. WBL. Have you ever seen a franchise QB pulled from a game for “poor play”? No, WBL, you haven’t. I already know. Football teams don’t bench their franchise QBs. They get rid of them. Like they will get rid of Mayfield if he has another losing season.
March 15th, 2026 at 11:13 am
Gipper. I think you’re a tad on the low range there.
March 15th, 2026 at 11:16 am
I’ve said this for quite a while now.
Licht does his best work finding free agents that have already proven their worth.
His drafting abilities are horrible especially with QBs. See Kyle Trash and Jameis Winston. Both complete busts.
Stick to what works. This is the best backup QB we’ve had in a long time.
This way if Mayfield needs to rest due to injury we might actually be able to get a win without him.
And Browning already knows how to win with a putrid defense. #SuperBowles
March 15th, 2026 at 11:21 am
Hey, for all the complete duds on this site who longed for Kyle Trask, where are you now? Is it possible that 32 NFL GM’s know more about QB play than Oneilbuc, WarrenBrooksLoser, RodManureMunch, and MelvinJr. ? Trask is going to be selling insurance. Hopefully, for him the aforementioned duds, will be customers.
March 15th, 2026 at 11:35 am
That’s where we need you Gipper, in that exact pocket you’re always in defending the honor of you man, all the other football insights you have are useless. Stick to the glazing and name calling, that’s your niche here at JBF lol
March 15th, 2026 at 11:37 am
An underrated signing. Shoulda been done before now since ce trask wasn’t the dude for whatever reason
March 15th, 2026 at 11:42 am
“WBL. Have you ever seen a franchise QB pulled from a game for “poor play”? No, WBL, you haven’t.“
I’ve seen bridge QBs get pulled tho, which is closer to what Baker is in terms of his individual talent.
Who’s he make better? Anybody please answer that question and when your done answer this
Who’s Baker need around him to keep him playing his best?
“Franchise” is just a label, it makes as much sense as putting “fat free” on a bottle of water
March 15th, 2026 at 11:47 am
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
March 15th, 2026 at 11:35 am
That’s where we need you Gipper, in that exact pocket you’re always in defending the honor of you man, all the other football insights you have are useless. Stick to the glazing and name calling, that’s your niche here at JBF lol
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Going to be reminding you losers daily, when Mayfield lights it up in 2026. Not sure how the team will do with TB as the DC. Yes, I know that is also Baker’s fault. Just like last year when he couldn’t stop those endless big plays( passes and runs)that the defense allowed. Don’t have to fake my football knowledge because unlike you band members, I actually was good enough to play football at Ohio State when Woody was still coaching.
March 15th, 2026 at 12:07 pm
“Going to be reminding you losers daily, when Mayfield lights it up in 2026.“
Until that happens
What are your thoughts on our front offices’ interest in Anthony Richardson, what’d you say that move would do say about who they feel about the long-term prospects of Temu Tony Romo?
March 15th, 2026 at 12:12 pm
“Just like last year when he couldn’t stop those endless big plays( passes and runs)that the defense allowed”
You know what else Bowles couldn’t do, stop your boy from doubling the offenses turnover rate after the bye week nor average damn near 5 drives ending in punts on a per game basis.
Don’t tell me about your past, unless of course your going to tell us when you escaped the Haslam Home for Orphaned Browns fans
March 15th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
WBL. Who does he make better? Well, WBL. The reason he was the first pick in the draft is because most folks who analyze football players for a living, they said things like “ability to lift entire team with his play”. Then going to a team that won 1 of their previous 36 games and immediately making them a playoff contender sort of sealed it for many. Except Kevin Stefanski. Who had a playoff win in his career with Baker. And he’s never been close again. A three year period with the second most TD passes in the NFL? Following the mess Brady left the team in? He’s one of the best, one of the very best, QBs in this league WBL. A bridge QB? He’s been a starting QB in this league for all 8 of his seasons and WBL. Gipper has more football knowledge in his littlest finger than you’ll ever have. I mean that sincerely.
March 15th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
Cole Payton
I’d love to see the Bucs draft Cole Payton in the 6th or 7th. Great QB to develop for 2-3 years.
March 15th, 2026 at 1:01 pm
Like the signing and attitude. Hopefully, Jake can get Baker to learn something about not playing “hero ball” so much. There is no shame in throwing it away sometimes. Coaches have to teach that too. I bet some consistency at OC might help too.
March 15th, 2026 at 1:11 pm
“Gipper has more football knowledge in his littlest finger than you’ll ever have. I mean that sincerely.“
Both of you belong in a group home for dejected Browns fans clinging on to hope that a QB with a >100 starts is still the answer for somebody, anybody 🤣. Also you profess your fan boyuerism enough and attacked enough people on here for offering views on Mayfield you don’t agree with to for your “sincerity” to not amount to a hill of beans to me.
March 15th, 2026 at 1:18 pm
@gipper: I actually was good enough to play football at Ohio State when Woody was still coaching.
I knew you had history. My dad was one of Woody’s best friends – Woody tried to hire him 6 times, but dad couldn’t afford to work at the salary OSU had available then.
Keep enlightening the masses – the lack of actual football knowledge here is astounding. As a coach myself, I just shake my head.
March 15th, 2026 at 2:21 pm
Browning had been considered a pretty good backup QB option, and maybe would even get a chance to start — up until this year when he was terrible. You could blame the offensive line in Cinny, which is a legit complaint as they were awful – but the fact they picked up Flacco, played him a few days later, and the offense looked way better (with the same bad o-line) is what is concerning with Browning.
Still, he’s a huge upgrade over Hospital Ball Bridgewater, and a decent backup option. But with the Bucs skill players and great offensive line (when healthy) it’s a bit of wonder they didn’t get a higher end backup – you’d think pretty much every backup that wants to start one day would want to be here since, if they end up playing, they have as good of a chance as anywhere to look good. Plus with Baker’s history, and how bad he collapsed last year, you figure you might end up getting some playing time if Baker doesn’t turn it around.
March 15th, 2026 at 3:08 pm
Now we have 2 back up quarterbacks lol 🤣🤣.
March 15th, 2026 at 3:14 pm
Gipper. If they snig him to a contract like that I wouldn’t be sad I just know my bucs will not win or go to a Superbowl for the next 5 years. And at least they’re will be no expectations for them to win a Superbowl. Every season for the next 5 years with Baker is a garuteed that the bucs will not be a Superbowl contender and I think we will all be at peace knowing we ain’t winning a Superbowl. Lol 🤣🤣
March 15th, 2026 at 8:21 pm
It does not matter if Browning wants to be like Baker. Buccaneers will not going any where this season and not even make the playoffs. Evans had left the building for the 49ers since he knows that Buccaneers will not make the playoffs this season. 49ers definitely go to the playoffs not Bucanneers. Buccaneers will have better draft picks next season and Baker can only take the Bucos so far. Baker is not a super bowl qb.
March 15th, 2026 at 10:50 pm
It’s certainly a leap of faith trusting a guy who has more interceptions than TD’s last year. At least he seems to realize where he went wrong, and as Joe said in an earlier thread…the dude’s GF/fiancee is very easy to look at. Hopefully the camera operators at the game are smart enough to zoom in on her instead of Todd staring up towards the sky(scoreboard? whatever the heck he’s looking at when something goes wrong?). Bread and circuses 101 😆
March 16th, 2026 at 3:05 pm
Bonus: Mrs. Browning brings real flair to the cheering section.