The Double-Edged Sword Of Baker Mayfield
May 12th, 2026
Baker Mayfield
The stats back up Baker Mayfield’s words.
There is no doubt the Bucs’ signal-caller has had a career renaissance since he joined the Bucs in 2023. He was on the scrap heap of the NFL and the Bucs were the lone team that wanted him as a starter after Tom Brady decided to pack it in.
Mayfield is a big reason why the Bucs have been mostly successful since Brady retired.
Since he came to Tampa, Mayfield has said the Bucs were the first team that let him be him. In fact, both KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles and Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht reportedly told Mayfield when he arrived to just be himself and everything will be alright.
That has worked out. Mostly.
Mayfield being himself means Mayfield playing at times like a Labrador puppy in the backyard. “Nobody open? OK, I’ll get a first down myself.”
Mayfield’s play is fun as can be to watch. He fires up the fans and lights a fire under his teammates. Defensive players, too. When Mayfield is on a roll, just like last year, he is one of the best players in the league. There is a reason he was talked about as a potential league MVP.
But with that devil-may-care play also comes punishment. As Bucco Bruce Arians famously says, “Put your quarterback in harm’s way, harm will find him.”
Harm found Mayfield halfway through last season. Mayfield before the bye week when he was running for critical first downs to keep the chains moving, and throwing darts for touchdowns, was thrilling (and winning) football.
But then the physical toll of Mayfield’s play caught up with him. He got beat to hell and in the second half of the season, Mayfield was a shell of himself. Not coincidentally, the Bucs’ season circled the drain.
Mayfield is now 31. As Phil Simms likes to say, you don’t get quicker as you get older. The hits do more damage than they did five or six years ago.
But that’s the problem: If you don’t let Mayfield be Mayfield, he’s a lesser quarterback. But if you let Mayfield be Mayfield, he’s one of the better quarterbacks in the league, but prone to getting beat up.
So what is Zac Robinson, the new Bucs offensive coordinator, to do? If you let Mayfield be Mayfield, he may be shot when you need him the most. But if you don’t let Mayfield be Mayfield, he may be healthier in December, but you may not get to the playoffs.
Joe hopes Robinson sheds light on this later this morning when he and other Bucs assistants will be trotted out to the local pen and mic club for the first time since the 2025 season ended.
Baker Mayfield going from 9 rushing yards per game in the first six seasons of his career to 22 rushing yards per game in each of the past two seasons feels pretty unprecedented
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) May 11, 2026
May 12th, 2026 at 4:00 am
Healthy O line and strong running game, problem solved. Zac also needs to work on 3rd and 4th down short yardage situations with the O line and RBs. Keep Baker from sacrificing his body in these situations.
May 12th, 2026 at 4:16 am
The issue resolves itself and not in a positive manner. All you have to do is see Russell Wilson. That is a close comp to BM.
When he was no longer able to scramble his effectiveness decreased, significantly. It was not because he made a conscious decision to scramble less. He got older and Peyton knew he had to learn or he was cooked. Eventually the legs gave out.
You want to see Baker avoid that, he needs to focus his energy into playing on time from the pocket consistently. That’s not a terrific part of his game which is a big problem for a 31 yr old qb. I’d argue he’s better at it than Wilson ever was but still not great.
May 12th, 2026 at 4:43 am
He isn’t comparing him to Russell that way.
Only by how beat up they get scrambling. Look at Lamar.
Fun to watch but will probably never win a SB because he gets hurt.
This has been the knock on Baker since his Cleveland days.
Always the problem with small QBs.
You gotta turn into Drew Brees or you don’t have a prayer at longevity at that size.
I like Baker, but have doubts he can play a whole season at a high level.
If the Bucs brass felt differently than that, they would have signed him already.
It’s definitely not getting cheaper by waiting.
May 12th, 2026 at 5:54 am
This has been the knock on Baker since his Cleveland days.”
total hogwash. Baker had one injury and played through it in Cleveland. That was NEVER the knock on Baker in Cleveland
“I like Baker, but have doubts he can play a whole season at a high level.”
He already has year before last
try not telling us you don’t know what you are talking about
May 12th, 2026 at 5:55 am
Mostly successful. Kinda like mostly peaceful with a building engulfed in flames in the background.
Baker is 27-24 in the regular season as the Bucs QB. 1-2 in the playoffs. Put that all together and you get 28-26. Not worthy of big money.
Every year we get diminishing returns from him. It’s getting worse, not better.
Playoff have gone down from 1-1, 0-1, 0. Pressure players don’t allow that to happen.
If they can flush Toulet Bowles after 2026 and get a real QB that can win big games, we might have something.
May 12th, 2026 at 5:58 am
One of my favorite comments by some casual sports pundits, Bucs covering websites, and of course all of his fans is the defense of Baker’s play in 2025 down the final stretch was obviously due to injury. And yet through most of his career, he’s been pretty much what we saw last season. This guy needed to “will” us 1 more victory, against teams with backup QBs already out of playoff contention, almost gifting us a victory and yet he couldn’t. Even in a one score game, with the ball in his hand, he could not figure out how to get us that one more first down, or one more final drive score? Was he banged up in that last ATL game where helped Mike Evans go off?… he looked healthy to me. Sure, the low hanging fruit was to hang the loss on the 3rd and 28, but that came after the following possession where Baker was a first down away from salting the game (closing that series might have kept Evans in Tampa). Oh, and prior to that, remember with about 8 minutes left in the game with an 8 pt lead, 2nd and 10, at the Falcons 45, Baker throws a horrible int, one could argue we get a field goal in that possession, and the game is over as well. Point is, Baker cannot find that extra gear we need from him consistently. He’s going to want to get paid as someone who can, but he can’t.
May 12th, 2026 at 6:28 am
Funny how everyone acts like he’s this great QB, a superstar, he’s the definition of average, he’s not going to get better with age, he’s going to get worse, extending him for top QB money will be a Tua, Russell, Kirk, Geno, Kyler type of franchise hindering mistake, 3 years at $40 with 2 years guaranteed is acceptable, $50+ and we are playing with fire
May 12th, 2026 at 6:28 am
Joe … ‘Mayfield being himself means Mayfield playing at times like a Labrador puppy in the backyard. “Nobody open? OK, I’ll get a first down myself.”
Sorry Joe, but Baker is nowhere close to being like a Labrador puppy. Now, like a Belgian Malinois puppy? OK, I could certainly buy that. Anyone who’s familiar with training them as youngsters has seen that they seem to have only 2 speeds: full-speed ahead and STOP (for a split-second then you’d better give them the next command or they’ll think of something to do on their own). They’re brilliant, high energy and fearless dogs, BUT … they’re not for everyone. Malinois NEED an ‘experienced parent’ who can provide countless ways to burn energy, see the great outdoors and train together.
Todd Bowles is supposed to be that ‘experienced parent’. Nuff said.
May 12th, 2026 at 6:29 am
If Baker knows he will get another bite at the cherry because his defense can get a stop, he will be able to make better decisions to protect himself.
May 12th, 2026 at 6:40 am
I’m a big Mayfield fan, but I understand the criticism. I’d like to see him work with a consistent starting offensive line this season and see what he can do. The Best QBs in history require protection. Brady, Manning & Mahomes all struggled when their offensive lines weren’t intact.
May 12th, 2026 at 6:45 am
I would cringe when we would make a good play that didn’t get into the endzone. Our goal line offense seemed to always do the wrong thing (screen, run parallel to the line, jump ball on third down, etc.) — often going backwards. Maybe you place 50% on the former OC’s play calling and 30% on Baker. We need that “get in and win” at the goal line mentality. Let’s call and execute plays that obliterate our weak division opponents. After the big fail in 2024, 2025 should have been the year, but all we got was womp-womp-whaaaa. After suffering through several lost decades, we all know how important QB play is. I hate to think about the reset button, I am getting too old for a string of 4 win seasons. Maybe Zac (unlike Dirk) is the secret ingredient.
May 12th, 2026 at 6:58 am
We still need a big powerful short yardage back.
May 12th, 2026 at 7:06 am
Baker has been good and bad at times. He needs a great running game to succeed at play action short / intermediate routes. Last season with bad OC,
Below average game and o line. Who is it you all think we can get to replace him?
A top 15 qb never makes it to FA. We need to take some swings in 1st or 2nd round draft for top qb prospects and develop them. But that’s not doable either when we change OCs every year. Bottom line is Baker is the best option available so get used to it.
May 12th, 2026 at 7:08 am
“…Mayfield playing at times like a Labrador puppy in the backyard.” Great analogy. I’ve been a huge fan of Mayfield since the flag plant. Dude has swagger! We are lucky to have him.
May 12th, 2026 at 7:14 am
Coaches fault.
He should have been benched until healthy.
The four games after the bye didn’t effect winning the division.
May 12th, 2026 at 7:36 am
Why are folks talking about Baker and “other options” at QB?
Baker is the Bucs starting QB this coming season. He’s under the contract still that he agreed to. He has an upgrade a OC, one of the best olines in football, 3 good RBs and plenty of weapons to throw to.
There are NO excuses for both Baker and Bowles this year. If the Bucs have a winning record and win a playoff game, then Baker will get his contract and the Bucs won’t have to explore “other options”.
But if the Bucs have a bad year, then Im guessing the HC will be toast and the new regime will most likely look at the “other options”, such as a draft coming that is loaded at QB.
May 12th, 2026 at 7:56 am
Zoocomics Says:
May 12th, 2026 at 5:58 am
Even in a one score game, with the ball in his hand, he could not figure out how to get us that one more first down, or one more final drive score? Was he banged up in that last ATL game where helped Mike Evans go off?… he looked healthy to me. Sure, the low hanging fruit was to hang the loss on the 3rd and 28, but that came after the following possession where Baker was a first down away from salting the game (closing that series might have kept Evans in Tampa). Oh, and prior to that, remember with about 8 minutes left in the game with an 8 pt lead, 2nd and 10, at the Falcons 45, Baker throws a horrible int, one could argue we get a field goal in that possession, and the game is over as well. Point is, Baker cannot find that extra gear we need from him consistently. He’s going to want to get paid as someone who can, but he can’t.
*************************************************************
BINGO!!!!!
Ive been saying this since the ATL game!!!!!
Bucs had a chance to win every game in the month of DEC but baker choked the game away!!!…
5 4th quarter Turnovers in DEC when his team needed him the most and he choked!!!.
and folks want to pay an ofetn injured QB top dollar just because he’s average and scared to see whats behind door #2….
GO BUCS!!!!!!
May 12th, 2026 at 8:14 am
“Mayfield is a big reason why the Bucs have been mostly successful since Brady retired.”
One playoff win 3 years ago and dog fighting to win the worst division in the NFL while missing the playoffs last season. Jeez, if there’s some success in that scenario then the bar is in hell.
Joe is telling on himself once again by saying if “Baker can’t be Baker he’s a lesser QB”. Translation: if he can’t run the ball then he worthless. This is why I say hes a RB playing QB. He always looks to run after his first read. When has Baker carved up defenses consistently without running the ball…you know…like a real QB? He can’t play the position from the pocket which is why he loses in big games, the defense takes those running lanes away.
Without Evans wingspan this season Baker will struggle more than he usually does.
May 12th, 2026 at 8:16 am
Won’t be long now. The dive bar signing of what may be the biggest football contract in NFL history is about to dominate JBF headlines for days. If, by some off chance, it doesn’t get done? Well then, pull up a chair and get ready to watch the best QB in football for a 17 game schedule and a nice playoff run. Maybe win it all. Try not to miss any of these games because they will be the last games Baker plays in Tampa. If you readers (and probably at least one Joe) think Baker will play in Tampa after this season without another contract then you might need your thinker examined.
May 12th, 2026 at 8:23 am
Kenton, ever hear of the franchise tag
May 12th, 2026 at 8:35 am
Guzzie55. Yep. And that’s not gonna happen.
May 12th, 2026 at 8:56 am
“But if you let Mayfield be Mayfield, he’s one of the better quarterbacks in the league, but prone to get beat up.” – Joe
Last year was an outier. The Oline was injured almost everywhere. Third stringers had to play, and worse.
Keep the OL healthy and they’ll keep Mayfield healthy.
May 12th, 2026 at 8:57 am
Seeking a longer term of security, Baker will see the franchise tag a the height of disrespect!
May 12th, 2026 at 9:00 am
Kenton Smith Says:
“Won’t be long now. The dive bar signing of what may be the biggest football contract in NFL history is about to dominate JBF headlines for days.”
$32m per year tops.
Like Tom Brady, Baker knows his team needs money to keep giving him weapons. He’ll cut the team a break.
I think they should give him $96-$100m for 3 years.
May 12th, 2026 at 9:01 am
But they shouldn’t do it until the later part of the season.
May 12th, 2026 at 9:07 am
Biggest football contract in NFL history???
What has he done to warrant that?? One playoff win equals $70 mil a year??
Pass whatever you’re smoking this way man!
I need to lose my grip on reality for a bit.
That’s pure insanity.
May 12th, 2026 at 10:05 am
Injuries schminjuries.
2-7
He sucked. S u c k e d. During that stretch.
In 2026, he will press to begin the season because he knows his head coach, who sucks at that job, is at least a lousy defensive coordinator too. After looking like Jameis without the upside.
We will be wishing for December 2025 Baker by October.
May 12th, 2026 at 10:14 am
Baker thrived and did nit get hurt in the Rams offense. Just bring that back Robinson who was at the Rams when Baker was there.
May 12th, 2026 at 10:22 am
First and foremost, build a strong defense. That’ll go a long way in keeping those do or die situations at a minimum.
May 12th, 2026 at 10:29 am
Let’s see. It’s kind of like the old saying, “what have you done for me lately?” That’s how these players get paid. 12000 yards throwing and 95 touchdown passes against 37 interceptions the last 3 years. Last year’s “bad” season top 10 in the league TD passes and yards, as well as having the highest yards per carry of any quarterback the last few years. He’s taken the full blame for any loss the team has ever had. And he means it. Franchise QB through and through. Our Walter Payton candidate. A deal, I think, will be reached, and Mayfield is going to be fair. But to think it’d be fair not to say he’s easily in the debate for the best QB in the league is not fair. Look at his playoff performances. Durability. It’s gonna be long term and team friendly is my bet. And big. Real big.
May 12th, 2026 at 10:51 am
I have watched this game an I have played it some. Over those 50 plus years I have seen quite a few QB try the same thing Baker has. None lasted very long playing this way. Tark tried it way back when they took hits. He decided to change his game. Staubach and Elway did the same. Young too. Vick? Umm that’s all he could do. Amazing he is not in a body cast. Newton can’t throw a ping pong ball these days. Odds are against Jackson lasting, Mahomes is the only exception I can think of who could actually play QB.
This not a criticism of Baker. Just an observation that unless he changes his game the odds are against him.
Go Bucs!
May 12th, 2026 at 11:14 am
To the haters… if not Baker then who?
May 12th, 2026 at 11:28 am
I’m listening to Bucs player interviews and no one is admitting to quitting on the field. The consciences from fans and columnist is the opposite- many players did quit on the team.
Joe. You are a no nonsense guy. HAVE YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION? YOU COULD REPORT WHAT YOU HEAR WITHOUT REVEALING PLAYER’S NAMES.
How about trying that!!!!!!!
May 12th, 2026 at 11:33 am
The reality is, Baker will be 32 years old next season
Are you sure you want to invest $200 million in a 32 year old QB?
Throw everything else out the kitchen window
That is the most important question
May 12th, 2026 at 11:35 am
SC. I’m sick and tired of that question if not Baker then who. Well it’s call the draft that’s who and they have good quarterbacks in this draft and our team is set up perfectly for a young quarterback. You guys be acting like Baker is a elite quarterback and been dominant in the NFL in his career. He’s only had 2 good seasons and the rest are a bunch of excuses why he’s been playing bad . I hope I’m wrong but I don’t believe Baker is getting us to a Superbowl regardless how good the defense or running game is it will be just more excuses for Baker Mayfield. It’s NFC Championship or bust no more excuses and the injury excuse ain’t going to cut it this year if he’s on the field.
May 12th, 2026 at 1:04 pm
Onielbuc nice answer… no names. Because NFL drafed QBs, esp after the first 5 or so picks, all do so well.
May 12th, 2026 at 1:36 pm
I think the Bucs should dig up old Norm Snead. He’d win as many games.
Baker can have a burst in a meaningless game. Critical games, at the most critical time in the game, Baker will gaffe up some putrid play that a high school QB wouldn’t make. Every time. Redskins? Check. Lions? Check. Panthers? Check. He couldn’t even beat the tanking Dolphins with a 3rd string QB.
Good night, nurse.
As has been said before, though, he does play for The NFL’s Biggest Loser (ask Mike Evans), so there is that as an excuse.
May 12th, 2026 at 1:52 pm
It’s really not up to Baker to keep himself out of harm’s way.
May 12th, 2026 at 2:29 pm
Norm Snead had a bad case of the Jameis Winston disease. And, somehow he was given 16 years to prove it. 196 career touchdown passes. 257 career interceptions. Ouch!
May 12th, 2026 at 2:50 pm
SC. Baker Mayfield has not been good in big games and big moments. The bucs will not win or go to a Superbowl the way Baker Mayfield has been playing.
May 12th, 2026 at 8:12 pm
Oneilbuc: The Bucs will not win or go to a Superbowl until they develop a team that is capable of that run — regardless who the QB is.
Do you think that Brady would have excelled last year with a limping O-line and bush-league play-calling?
I know that you antibakes despise Mayfield, but you really should be more level-headed in relating the teams woes only to him. It just makes no sense.
May 12th, 2026 at 10:31 pm
After Baker told everyone how good he was after week 6, when idiots were chanting MVP (like that means anything in week 6), Baker did what he always does when he gets full of himself, he played like trash. Injury, or just inconsistency, whatever it was – he was playing terrible well before the bye week.
May 12th, 2026 at 11:08 pm
Hold on Rod. Say it (repeat it). He was solely responsible for all of those loses.
May 12th, 2026 at 11:12 pm
And — neither one of you two answered my question pertaining to Tom Brady.
Typical.
May 12th, 2026 at 11:18 pm
As usual Rod Munch makes no real sense. Total stupidity. I think the point that he has been missing all season was like David said, “we couldn’t believe Baker was playing”. David said that due to Baker having so many injuries. The point is nimrod, if Baker could lead the league to the point that everybody agreed if he could continue that level of play he would be the MVP. But as usual Baker isn’t protected and he gets hurt. But that’s alright, we now know we have an MPV level qb as long as he is healthy and that puts him in the top 5-10 category and that is more than enough to win a superbowl. We got our guy just build the team around him. GET IT DONE!!!
May 12th, 2026 at 11:33 pm
Old bee still ignorant as always. You seem to forget Brady left because he knew along with everybody else we would win 4 games in 2023 but Baker won 10, wasn’t it? Yes Baker raised the level of winning by 6 games just like he did in Cleveland. From 1-41 to 11-5. To beating Mahomes in 2021. No qb has ever turned a team that bad around that much that fast, only Baker Mayfield. Mayfield is a stud and as soon as they get a team worthy of going deep we will go deep, it is on the coaches at this point. We have our qb, we just need a team now.
May 13th, 2026 at 8:44 am
ExBrowns. Go back to Cleavand I didn’t care or think about Baker Mayfield until he came to my bucs. And I can speak for every bucs fan on here regardless of how they may feel about Baker Mayfield’s play on the field. So stop with the people hate Baker Mayfield because how can someone hate a player they didn’t care about when he was in Cleavand, Carolina or the Rams. He chokes in big games in big moments regardless how good the team is and he’s done that in OU and the NFL and we didn’t care about that on this site until the bucs brought him in and gifted him the starting job. He really couldn’t beat out Kyle Trask in 2023 and every one knows it including the Joe’s but they have to promote the starting quarterback especially a guy like Baker Mayfield and his only claim to fame is his moxie because he’s not clutch in big games at all.