Baker Mayfield “Has An Edge”
May 18th, 2026
Fueled for 2026.
In 2022, the Rams’ offensive braintrust of Sean McVay, Zac Robinson and Liam Coen saved Baker Mayfield’s career.
Mayfield found him on the NFL’s scrapheap after Cleveland gave up on him and clown Matt Rhule didn’t know what to do with him in Carolina.
Mayfield’s misfortune prior to playing in five games in Los Angeles, starting four, was the Bucs’ fortune. The Bucs got a franchise quarterback at a yard sale price.
And by luck and circumstance, Mayfield was reunited in Tampa with Coen and now with Robinson.
From what Robinson remembers, Mayfield is even more locked in and determined than he was when he came to Los Angeles. Robinson suspects the way last season transpired, Mayfield is stoked to prove his doubters wrong.
Again.
And, Robinson said, that mentality has spread to the rest of the offense.
“You can tell this group has an edge, you know, which you want to keep that edge,” Robinson said. “Things didn’t go down the way that you had hoped last season, obviously. But that’s why we’re all here.
“So I think that Baker naturally already has that edge to him, and you can feel it even more. He’s been so intentional with his footwork and all the fundamentals and the details that [Bucs quarterbacks coach Chandler] Whitmer and our coaches are preaching to him that he’s off to a great start.”
Even while practicing the small things in May, Robinson can see Mayfield is zeroed in on Sept. 13 in Cincinnati.
“Obviously, we’ve got a long way to go with some things, just learning some new things,” Robinson said. “There’s a lot of carryover, there’s also a lot of new, and he’s diving into that.
“But you definitely feel the edge and just the overall urgency from the group, which is what you’re looking for at this time of year.”
Joe hopes the offense was embarrassed enough last year to come out firing — and to continue through all 17 games without its annual midseason slump.
Joe would hope these guys are peeved they let a 6-2 start get flushed down the toilet.
May 18th, 2026 at 7:17 am
Yeah we get it. Edge, moxie, tough as nails, hungry, 8-9. Let me ask, who doesn’t have that in the NFL?
May 18th, 2026 at 7:45 am
Hodad: anyone in ATL
May 18th, 2026 at 7:45 am
Todd Bowles has been a lame duck coach for 4 years straight it’s exhausting, 4 years in a row with a 4 game losing streak, who does that, winning the worst division BARELY every year is pathetic
May 18th, 2026 at 7:46 am
Intentional? As opposed to by accident?
May 18th, 2026 at 8:07 am
As proven time and again the OCs (and DC for this matter) understanding of his players capabilities and crafting an offense or defense that fits the players skill set is paramount to the success of that unit. Hopefully we’ll see a much improved offense because of Robinson, there’s no doubt Grizz was in over his head last year but that’s to be expected for a first time play caller. Unfortunately that learning experience was at the expense of Buc fans.
May 18th, 2026 at 8:14 am
Since top to bottom the Bucs organization lacks structure and discipline, it will be up to OC Robinson to bring some degree of both to give the Bucs a chance to win and move to the next level! If Baker slips into the same “twilight “ zone of 2025, he should be watching the rest of the season from the bleachers!
May 18th, 2026 at 8:21 am
It’s one thing to play with an edge, but to play with reckless abandon has been Baker’s has down fall. Without him this team is wandering in the desert. Put the Blame on him first and tell Bowles to get his head out of his ass and take charge. He is the HC. He’s charged to lead the Bucs. He’s failed miserably to the team and Baker.
May 18th, 2026 at 8:48 am
We are lucky to have ‘Born Again’ Baker is the QB of this Franchise. There are not 10 QBs in this league that I would rather have than Baker. It is a very short list.
Now if that Putrid Pass Defense improves like it should-this team will be very tough to beat this year. Go BUCS!!
May 18th, 2026 at 8:59 am
ILeave the past ,its a younger faster and healthier team Baker with new weapons Looking forward to see if “The Todd” can prove everyone wrong .With his back against the wall im pulling for the home team as always Go Bucs!
May 18th, 2026 at 8:59 am
Robinson was part of a Falcons team that went 8-9 back to back years with Bijan Robinson on offense. Let that sink in.
Mayfield will have to do a lot magic and heroics to keep this team competitive and push into the playoffs. Bowles and Robinson are just average coaches and I am being generous.
May 18th, 2026 at 9:00 am
I don’t think Baker has anything to prove and deserves some of the credit for resurrecting his career. If people are still wondering if Baker is a franchise qb really don’t understand or know football . This includes whatever Joe is against signing him. Good lord how many games does the guy have to play to prove it. He’s played 3 seasons here and because the end of last season he struggled and everyone knows it was due to injuries and I think the o-line being shuffled around all year. I just don’t get why someone can wonder if he’s got it.. I’m guessing it’s the same Joe that predicts 6 wins. That’s ridiculous .
May 18th, 2026 at 9:04 am
That’s Baker Mayfield main problem “playing with an edge”
He need to start playing Smart football
He makes too many costly mistakes during crucial moments of the game
No one remembers the 40 TDs you’ve thrown during the season
But, you can bet they remember that costly INT, you threw
May 18th, 2026 at 9:19 am
If the offense can stay mostly healthy, I expect this will be the best year of Baker’s career to date.
May 18th, 2026 at 9:22 am
We talk about ME having so many QB’s to catch passes from in his career, Mayfield has had a different OC every year in the league. I know that OC’s will get HC opportunities, but if this guy could just work in the same system with the same guys for at least a few years it would do wonders for him and the team. He could then work on tweaking his game, his footwork, and so on with the bulk of the system in place. Consistency, the good kind, is critical for any team.
May 18th, 2026 at 9:42 am
trying to understand why Liam is praised so much lol…
Bakers last playoff win was with Dave!!!
part of the problem is fantasy football lovers prefer stats over wins…..Dave didnt let Baker be Baker…he forced him to play within his system….which translated to a playoff WIN….and we couldve beat the lions if not for bakers INT….
yeah baker had better stats with Liam but he also led the NFL in INTs and Fumbles under Liam…and it cost us in the playoffs…
Zac is average and so is Baker….the only way we make the playoffs and win a playoff game is if we’re top 5 in rushing and top 10 in defense…if we depend on baker to “sling it around” we’re doomed
GO BUCS!!!!!
May 18th, 2026 at 9:53 am
Billlbuc Says:
May 18th, 2026 at 9:00 am
I don’t think Baker has anything to prove and deserves some of the credit for resurrecting his career. If people are still wondering if Baker is a franchise qb really don’t understand or know football
You’ve got to be kidding me lol
Bakers first year we won a playoff game
Bakers second year, we made the playoffs and lost to Rookie
Bakers third year, we didnt make the playoffs
do you see where this trend is going lol…Baker has to prove he can get back to the playoffs and win a playoff game
GO BUCS!!!!!
May 18th, 2026 at 10:00 am
The Bucs don’t need to be top 10 in defense. What they need is a defense that can get off the field 2 to 3 times more per game than last year. Either by turnover or forcing a punt.
They need to be much better on special teams. With much better coaching and better players, I expect ST to me MUCH better.
On offense, they need to get and stay healthy on the oline. They need a better plan in the run game, which I fully expect from Robinson. And Baker needs to play more consistently and eliminate turnovers.
If those 3 things happen, they’re easily the best team in the division.
813:
The mention “fantasy football lovers perfer stats”, then go on to say they have to be top 10 defensively and have a top 5 rushing attack.
May 18th, 2026 at 10:18 am
Fanofdabucs
those are team stats not individual stats that dont translate to wins
if the bucs are top 10 defensive with a top 5 rushing attack, BUCS are winning!!!
try again buddy
GO BUCS!!!!
May 18th, 2026 at 10:21 am
Compliments > Contract
If Baker didnt have anything to prove he’d have a new contract. Ownership knows what smart fans know, this team reached its peak with Bowles and Baker in 2023. Its been downhill ever since. Time for a high draft pick and a fresh start. Prepare to be underwhelmed this season
May 18th, 2026 at 10:37 am
Then they get to real games a turn into puppies
May 18th, 2026 at 11:36 am
I like his edge but he does us no good getting hurt via his edge. He is too football old to play tough ball. If the game is on the line with 2 minutes left and you need to run for a first down – great. If you try to run over a linebacker for an extra yard early in a game, you’re hurting all of us. Be smart, throw it away, slide, throw a dart in the dirt.
Tough is great, injured not. Be smart. Smarter than your younger years Baker.
May 18th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
I love how Robinson intentionally uses ‘intentional’. Joe needs to start using it: ‘Ira was intensional when he ate his coconut donut’. ‘ Joe was intensional when he swilled another beer watching Kay Adams’. Good stuff.
I’m happy to hear Baker is working on his footwork. I’d like to hear he’s working on his touch passes such a wheel routes and getting air under his deep balls.
May 18th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
Wow. With a board like this, Rod can simply sit back and smile. ?
May 18th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
@bucboi, Coen’s offense was superior in every statistical category. From ppg, rush yards per game, pass yards per game, 3rd down percentage you name it and it’s not even a conversation. Just do some research, Coen wasn’t the reason the Bucs lost to the redskins
May 18th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
JustIneGame
Who won a playoff game in Tampa?…Dave or Liam?
which offense caused baker to lead the NFL in both INTs and Fumbles?
again fantasy stat queens….do some real research
GO BUCS!!!!!
May 18th, 2026 at 12:56 pm
Offense SURE seemed to fall off a cliff when we lost the second guard (Bredeson) with 6 games remaining
May 18th, 2026 at 3:49 pm
Yeah it is strange, Bakers play fell off when his OL all got hurt and as a direct consequence he got hurt. Strange how that works. Protect him and he plays up to the MVP level. Don’t protect him, he gets hurt and his MVP play drops. Go figure…
May 18th, 2026 at 4:50 pm
They are already better then last seasons 6-2 team ,it’s about staying healthy It’s a no brainier
May 18th, 2026 at 11:23 pm
Deadlifts…really BBBB? ??
May 20th, 2026 at 12:00 am
Baker Mayfield would whip your “college ball” ass. A lot of us played college ball and a lot of us lift, so humble yourself. Baker is a solid QB and you look like a fool that doesn’t know football when you say otherwise. You are a hater for whatever reason, but a hater nonetheless and that keeps.you from having an objective take. Same goes for bucboi.