“Baker Hasn’t Proven That He Will Lift Up Everyone Around Him When Things Aren’t Going Well”
May 18th, 2026
There’s rancor within JoeBucsFan.com headquarters.
Good thing the only things being thrown around the office are empty beer cans and wadded-up used Jimmy John’s bags.
One of the Joes strongly advocates signing Baker Mayfield, 31, to an extension ASAP. As in yesterday.
The other Joe is like, “Whoa, hold up. Let’s see how this season plays out.”
It seems Pat Donovan is in the wait-and-see camp.
Donovan, who co-hosts “The Pat and Aaron Show” heard weekday mornings on WDAE-AM 620/WDAE-FM 95.7, stated he hasn’t seen enough from Mayfield to believe he can lead the Bucs to a Super Bowl.
Donovan wants to be a believer but he’s not there. Yet.
“To me, Baker hasn’t proven that he will lift everyone up around him when things aren’t going well, right?” Donovan began. “When things are going well, he’s damn near elite.
“But when they’re not, he makes mistakes, and he sometimes tries too hard to make plays and holds on to the ball too long and turns the ball over. And those are all things you can’t overcome if the things around you aren’t going that well.”
While the Joe typing here is lockstep with Donovan in favor of seeing how this season unfolds before putting a contract in front of Mayfield, Joe has a hard time agreeing that Mayfield can’t lift those around him.
Joe points to two wins last year.
Against San Francisco, Mayfield had little help. No Mike Evans. No Chris Godwin. No Emeka Egbuka for half the game. No Bucky Irving.
Mayfield put the Bucs on his back and absolutely willed that team to win. It wasn’t like Mayfield and the Bucs beat the sad sack Cardinals; it was the 49ers, one of the best teams in the league.
The prior week at Seattle was almost as impressive. The Bucs were also short-handed. No Evans. No Bucky. Down Luke Goedeke and Cody Mauch. Godwin limited. Mayfield had a sensational game.
Mayfield was 29 of 33 with a pair of touchdown throws, along with a sweet 27-yard pass rolling to his left to Cade Otton. Mayfield sliced up an excellent defense that became Super Bowl champs.
Problem was, the Bucs needed to see more of that after the bye and they did not. Just win one more game to get into the playoffs. It didn’t happen, which created a massive question mark for “this Joe.”
Top-shelf quarterbacks don’t lose seven of their final nine games to fall out of playoff contention, certainly not when an offense actually gets healthy. In December, the Bucs got quality stars like Evans, Godwin and Bucky back healthy.
And high-end quarterbacks certainly do not lose a critical game like the Bucs did to the tanking Dolphins with a seventh-round pick of a quarterback making his second NFL start. And that same rookie, Quinn Ewers, went toe-to-toe with Mayfield without a turnover; Mayfield had three, including two picks. (Imagine the outcry if that was America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston?)
After the season, Lavonte David claimed Mayfield was beat to hell. If that’s accurate, and Joe has zero reason to doubt David, then the Bucs did Mayfield (and the team) zero favors in not sitting him down to get him healthy.
If the team didn’t trust backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, then why the hell was he even on the roster?
But following that awful stretch after the bye, “this Joe” has to see if Mayfield bounces back. With the 2027 draft expected to be loaded with top-shelf quarterbacks, does the team really want to hitch its wagon to a quarterback who may have already peaked?
@957wdae Should the Bucs sign Baker right now or after the season? #Bucs #WeAreTheKrewe @PatandAaron @PatDonovanRadio ♬ original sound – 957wdae
May 18th, 2026 at 12:35 am
Oh boy… here comes the “We need to get rid of Baker Mayfield and draft a QB in 2027” crowd as if we’ll be drafting the reincarnation of Tom Brady next year only for us to end up pouring bleach in our eyes for 5 years at least along with resurrecting the Lost Decade…
You can do worse than Baker Mayfield as your QB. Heck, maybe if he had a Defense that could stop 3rd and 28 then he wouldn’t need to be as aggressive all the time. Oh, and if Mayfield’s NFL career didn’t consist of musical chairs of Offensive Coordinators every season, he’d be playing closer to how he did in 2024. Just saying…
May 18th, 2026 at 12:48 am
Like the majority of NFL QBs, Baker is OC dependent. We saw that Liam Koen. Not every franchise has a Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Burrow or Mahomes.
May 18th, 2026 at 1:47 am
Why not bring up how decimated the Seattle and SF defenses were? Baker has lost the last game of the season (the Evans wrong way INT vs MIA qualifies last year) with an error each of his years here. I like him but I’m in “wait and see”.
May 18th, 2026 at 1:52 am
Absolutely wait and see. Nothing motivates Baker more than a prove it year. If he can’t deal with the mental toughness of that, you don’t want him anyway.
This team shouldn’t tie itself to Baker, when there is an excellent chance the GM and HC/DC won’t be here next season.
May 18th, 2026 at 1:55 am
With Jalon Daniels on our team now, we potentially have another guy who could possibly maybe end up being a Franchise QB someday during his rookie contract, so I’d let Baker play out this season on a prove it basis before re-signing him and see how Daniels develops this year in practice etc.
I’m telling you, Daniels has that It Factor. Brock Purdy was only one pick from being undrafted, so don’t think Daniels can’t be great just because he wasn’t drafted.
Anytime Baker has gone too hollywood with a bunch of endorsements and tv spots/features etc, he has choked and gone into the tank for awhile, so I think that’s what hurt him last year mentally and then obviously he was physically injured too.
Let’s see how he performs this year before signing him.
May 18th, 2026 at 1:58 am
Baker carr has already proven to be a below average qb he straight up sucks bucs gonna be wasting money on that fool can’t even win the sorry ass nfc south with a winning record he’s just a little itty bitty bit better than jameis
May 18th, 2026 at 2:48 am
It’s business, not personal. Baker isn’t Kirk but we don’t need a 50 mil QB we regret signing. It could be an insanely fast rebuild if you get the right rookie.
May 18th, 2026 at 3:04 am
The Joe writing above made actually made the case for extending Baker now if the price is right, and I would try to load the deal with incentives.
Short of several years of tanking and rebuilding, the Bucs team not going to get significantly closer to being able to win through great adversity.
But, if the OL, Baker, and Godwin return to their best form of 2024, if Hurst and Sharp are legitimate contributors, if Bain, Trotter and Scott are the real deal, and if some combination of Parrish and McCollum and Morrison deliver solid CB play all season, the Bucs could win the Super Bowl with the relatively great luck that they had in the 2020-2021 season. That is about as good as it is ever going to get.
And, that should be true for another few years if the Bucs restocking the DL, OL and DBs.
So, yes, if there are savings to be had, resign Baker now.
May 18th, 2026 at 3:55 am
Until the Bucs get discipline and structure within the organization from top to bottom, short of finding that diamond in the ruff, the Bucs will always be that 8-10 win team. For the 2026 season, those responsible for the QB of the future have finalized their plan. One, Baker’s contract will not be extended before the season starts, two, Baker will start every game until the Bucs are eliminated from the playoffs and three, once the Bucs are eliminated, the Bucs will play to play to be to get a top five pick in the draft! Perhaps the QB of the future will be available.
May 18th, 2026 at 4:13 am
There are people afraid to draft a QB because the last drafted QB didn’t work out. Thats the type of losing mentality a lot of fans have. They would rather stay with what’s not working than risk for something better. KC, Philly, SF aren’t afraid. When the QB is playing average they move on quick which is why they go further in the playoffs.
Baker will do what he’s always done and thats lose. Healthy or “injured” Baker lead teams lose. The past 3 years have gotten worse and worse. When he starts the season playing like he did post-bye 2025, what excuses will you have for him then?
May 18th, 2026 at 4:18 am
Ask yourself over Baker’s 3 years in Tampa, where do you rank him as a QB? You have to consider all 3 years because you are signing him to a multi-yearvdeal and there will be ups and downs due to injuries, change in coaches, defensive play and Baker himself.
1) Is he a top 50% QB? Yes without a doubt. There are not 16 better QBs in the NFL today.
2) Is a top 5 QB. No. He’s not elite by the numbers statistically or by winning.
3) So where does he fall? Some say top 10 (maybe as high as 8 and others say closer to 15. Let’s split the difference and say somewhere around 10-12.
4) Can you win a SB with a QB at that level? Absolutely, but you need a pretty good defense – at least top 10 or better. In other words, a complete team that is top 10 in both O and D.
5) I’m not including ST here, but they have to be at least average. The Bucs kicking is above average, but their coverage is bad. Hoping the Bucs can be average on coverage this year with a new ST coach.
6) What are your options for the future if you are a .500 team this year?
– Take a chance on Daniels? You have to see something in practice and then play him for at least 4 or 5 games. That means benching Baker (or he’s hurt).
– Can the Bucs new QB coach develop a QB? We’ll see with Daniels.
– Are there any potential FA QBs in 2027 better than Baker? Doubtful.
– As a .500 team you are probably picking around 15th again in the 2027 draft. There will be lots of teams looking for a QB in the draft probably drafting ahead of the Bucs (or trading in front of them). Maybe you get the 4th or 5th QB in the draft, Bo Nix or JJ McCarthy equivalent.
So what do you do? You wait – some. Around the time of the bye week you make a decision on your season and your future. Are you in with Baker or are you moving on with your Kansas rookie/drafting a 2027 QB? That’s a team Glazer and Jason Licht call. If it’s anything other than re-signing Baker, the Bucs aren’t doing well and Todd Bowles is gone.
May 18th, 2026 at 4:23 am
I know making a decision at the bye week can be dangerous, The Bucs looked like SB contenders at the bye in 2025 and then we saw what happened due to injuries and a bad defense.
May 18th, 2026 at 4:33 am
I was a Trask guy when he was here but after he was gifted the starting position I pulled for Baker. That writer definitely does not watch Bucs games. The only things that stops Baker is himself, when he gets injured. When he’s healthy, there’s no other quarterback I want under my center. Sign him now! If you wait until after the season and he stays healthy, he’s going to cost 50M.
May 18th, 2026 at 4:56 am
What other teams will draft a QB in 2027?
Definitely and will pick ahead of the Bucs – Dolphins (lots of draft capital), Jets (lots of draft capital), Cardinals
Definitely and will pick around the same range as the Bucs – Steelers
May go QB depending upon how their 2026 season goes – Browns (lots of draft capital), Colts, Eagles (GM always willing to tade up), Saints, Panthers, Falcons, Vikings
Will jason Licht be willing to trade up, sacrificing a #1 pick from 2028 or both a #1 and #2 pick to get the #3 QB? if the 2027 draft is going to be QB heavy, then teams in the top 10 not drafting a QB will ask for a premium price if the Bucs want to trade up and we know how much JL values his picks.
May 18th, 2026 at 5:54 am
Sadly, Donovan’s sentiment has been mine since the 2024 season. When other fans challenge me on who should we bring in here instead, realistically available, I don’t have an answer, it’s the state of the QB position, it’s full of mediocrity. What I do know is Baker isn’t going to win us anything. I’m rooting for him and as a fan, I hope I’m wrong, but he’s a version of Sam Darnold with more swagger. This team has to be loaded where we simply can’t ask too much from Baker. There are so many offensive series that define Baker. It’s the stiff arm of Bosa in 2024, followed by not being able to get 6 on a first goal at the 6, we get 6 we mostly likely win it. It’s last season’s Falcons’ game where the 3rd and 28 is all anyone talks about, and yet Baker in 2 of the last series, could have put the game away, instead he throws a terrible INT, and then in our final possession he couldn’t shoulder one more first down to salt the game away. We don’t need gaudy numbers from Baker, we need him to be a closer. When the lights are the brightest, it’s simply not his strength.
May 18th, 2026 at 6:32 am
You have to resign Baker for 3 years and look for an upgrade in the meantime.
You can’t just say he’s not the answer if you don’t have a better solution. At some point you have to spend high draft pick or picks and develop a young QB. Bowles is not the guy to develop one, he never has. If you want Baker gone who is it that you think will be better that you can actually get? Do not want to be like Jets, Steelers and Raiders going years with no QB solutions. Sam Darnold proved coaching matters.
May 18th, 2026 at 6:33 am
Because the Bucs have such a stellar record of drafting top-notch franchise QBs …
May 18th, 2026 at 6:34 am
I’ve been saying for the past few seasons – If the Bucs are going to win a Super Bowl with Baker they will need a top 5 defense, top 5 running game and a top 5 special teams unit…
I don’t believe Sam Darnold is that much better than Baker and he just won a SB with Seattle…
May 18th, 2026 at 6:36 am
Success for Baker depends on STRUCTURE and DISCIPLINE! From top to bottom, the Bucs have neither! Both of these combined with Baker’s lack of at times, self-discipline, compounds negative game decisions he makes! If the new OC can bring a little structure and discipline to the offense and Baker makes less boneheaded decisions, the Bucs will have success. If not, Baker watches the last have if season from the bench.
May 18th, 2026 at 6:44 am
so true… Baker is not Tom Brady with laser accuracy and great at every aspect of the game. that with a great defense is what won a sb. trent dilfer won a sb bc he had a great defense good running game and he didn’t turn the ball over. Baker had turned the ball over in critical moments, when his career is over what will people say about him? good qb who couldn’t win the big game consistently? to do anything this year the o line has to stay healthy baker needs help
May 18th, 2026 at 6:58 am
One in the hand!
May 18th, 2026 at 7:19 am
Anyone who thinks Baker was responsible for how last season ended did not watch the games. It was painfully obvious having both guards out completely shut down our offense. There was no time for anything and Baker couldn’t step into a single pass. The pass rush was getting to him on any down he didn’t immediately dump off the ball like a hot potato!
May 18th, 2026 at 7:52 am
In Brady’s last season with the Patriots he lost badly and didn’t play well. If he was washed up like Bilechick said, how did he win the Super Bowl the following year with the Bucs? Well, he didn’t have a good surrounding cast of players in Boston, but Tampa did. Gronk said it was the best team he ever played on.
Baker didn’t have a good team as the season progressed because of injuries to both him and his offensive line.
2025 is in the rear view mirror 🪞 The coaching staff was purged of poor coaches. It’s a new season. There will be growing pains, but the Bucs can win the NFC SOUTH. The Super bowl is a daunting task, but nevertheless possible. Look at what happened to the Patriots. They made it to the Super Bowl 🏈.
The Sports world is littered with lazy and poor analysts. Tampa is building a Super bowl run team. It may not be this year. Another good draft and lookout NFL!
May 18th, 2026 at 8:20 am
@Scottymack: Bucs have drafted just 4 QBs since 2009.
Josh Freeman J. Winston Mike Glennon and Trask. So in 17 years they used 2 firsts a second and third round picks. They need to draft more QBs in mid late rounds every year until they find a guy because JL can’t and won’t draft a qb in first round. There are guys every year to take a flyer on in rounds 4-7. This year was Cole Payton and Drew Allar. SF didn’t need Purdy when they spent a 7th round pick on him. Turned out pretty good .
May 18th, 2026 at 8:31 am
What a load of BS. The guy has put the team on his back multiple times. Is he tom brady and instant super bowl ….no….but really who else is? TB was a once in a generation talent and we got him for a couple years.
May 18th, 2026 at 8:41 am
Baker Mayfield isn’t the leader that TB12 was
The players were overjoyed with Brady departure and Mayfield arrival.
They said that Brady stressed them out, said he was too demanding
Brady demanded perfection, Mayfield laugh and joke with them
The QB is the team leader, and the most important player
You can say that Baker rose to the occasion for two games
But, you have to do it for 17 games in the NFL
May 18th, 2026 at 8:50 am
The Bucs have never drafted a quarterback or developed one. Not even one that has taken them to a Super Bowl. Both that have won It all were from other teams. Other teams that signed our drafted quarterbacks had to develop and put teams around them won with them. It will not change.
May 18th, 2026 at 9:00 am
Purdy isn’t that great, made his name as a rookie and what has he done since? Yeah he’s been hurt too but what is he. He’s a MEH! Josh Allen is probably the most talented QB in the league right now. He play’s just like Baker but is built like a big linebacker and stronger, yet he gets hurt too. He was the only guy the Bills had and still beat us last year, had nobody else to help him but that is a testament to how bad our defense was to let 1 guy beat us. And what has he done for Buffalo, how far have they gone? Sam Darnold I don’t think is near as good as Mayfield but had a team around him and stayed healthy and made good decisions. Point is any QB is 1 guy and it takes more than just him to get the team to win. Even Brady had weapons around him, he was the one lobbying for other players to be brought in and who was that? Offensive help. He knew he needed playmakers around him and he was the best. It’s not rocket surgery. Mayfield is fine if #1 he stays healthy and #2 has help. But he needs #2 to stay #1
May 18th, 2026 at 9:03 am
They were so decimated Seattle won the toughest division in the NFL (and later the Super Bowl) and San Francisco made the playoffs) playing in the same division.
May 18th, 2026 at 9:20 am
SF was without Brock lol…Seattle was banged up defensively when we played them lol….c’mon joe lol…you gotta do better…those QBs/teams got better in the month of NOV& DEC…..baker choked
happy you mentioned the MIA game tho lol….
with that said, Baker has a ton to prove…fail to win a playoff game this year and he’s holding a clipboard in 2027
GO BUCS!!!!