Baker Mayfield’s Turnovers
June 24th, 2026
Careful, Baker!
If this were America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, people would be rioting in the streets.
But it’s not. It’s Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield.
People still holler and bellyache over Jameis’s turnovers. OK, but at least he produced. And that’s what Joe looks for: Production.
Mayfield, the current Bucs quarterback, has a nasty habit few people bring up. Again, Joe doesn’t care about turnovers so long as there is production.
Two years ago Mayfield had 41 touchdowns thrown as the Bucs won 10 games. That was two shy of the league lead (Joe Burrow with 43).
That same year Mayfield led the NFL in picks. Joe, and most Bucs fans, didn’t say squat about it. Why? Production.
So last year, Mayfield cut down on the picks. What he did not cut down on was the fumbles. He led the league in fumbles (11) tied with Sam Darnold (Super Bowl winner — see what Joe said about turnovers?) and Cam Ward.
Probably one reason you didn’t hear too many folks holler about Mayfield’s fumbles last year was that he only lost three. (Darnold had six lost fumbles — but he won the Super Bowl!)
Joe has a strong hunch that because Mayfield plays quarterback like a Tasmanian Devil, that leads to many of his fumbles.
Last year Mayfield cut down on his picks. Could this year be the season Mayfield cuts down on all his turnovers and doesn’t fumble so often?
June 24th, 2026 at 12:05 am
I’d rather have Winston and he’d be happy to come back and play for cheap!
June 24th, 2026 at 12:18 am
With a healthy Offensive Line, with an OC who establishes a legit run game, and with a better defense, Baker should not be holding on to the ball forever and getting into the kinds of situations that leads to that many fumbles.
If all of those other things are good and he is playing Superman when there is no excuse not to play smart football, then that is a Baker problem. But, I think (and hope) that Baker will play smart football so long as everything is on track.
June 24th, 2026 at 1:04 am
Great article Joe as I have a love-hate relationship with Baker on a football level. The Baker turnover discussion always lacks context though. Everybody wants to focus on the turnover numbers, but nobody wants to talk about why they happen.
Bake isn’t a stationary pocket passer. He plays aggressive football, extends plays, fights through pressure, and refuses to quit on a down. Agreed??
That’s the same mentality that produced over 40 touchdown passes and helped keep this offense among the league’s most productive. You don’t get the good without occasionally getting some of the bad.
The real question isn’t how do you eliminate Baker’s turnovers. It’s how do you reduce the unnecessary ones WITHOUT taking away what makes him successful. A healthier offensive line, a more consistent run game, and better situational football would go a long way toward helping that happen.
If we can run the ball effectively and keep Baker out of obvious passing situations, he won’t feel the need to play Superman as often. That’s where a lot of the fumbles come from, extending plays while trying to create something when the offense isn’t staying on schedule.
The Winston comparisons don’t really fit either. Jameis often turned the ball over because of poor reads (ineffective contact lenses) and forcing throws into coverage. Most of Bakes turnovers come from AGGRESSIVENESS and playmaking. I’ll take a quarterback I occasionally have to rein in over one I’m constantly begging to make a play. Can I get an AMEN??
Obviously if Bake cuts down on the strip sack fumbles while maintaining his production, we will be in excellent shape. The goal isn’t perfection.The goal is maximizing production while minimizing the costly mistakes.
I’ll take Controlled aggression, not conservative football. I’d rather dial Bake back than have to crank him up.
LFG!!
Ring ME
June 24th, 2026 at 1:14 am
Good stuff BoriMex 813!
June 24th, 2026 at 1:19 am
Yeah, and he probably had short arms, too.
June 24th, 2026 at 1:51 am
Fun Fact: Baker and Winston have lead the NFL in interceptions the same number of times – once.
June 24th, 2026 at 2:18 am
Yeah but what about 4th qtr crunch time game on the line turnovers in the playoffs. Those are the worst. It’s a Bucs life
June 24th, 2026 at 2:29 am
“Bake isn’t a stationary pocket passer. He plays aggressive football, extends plays, fights through pressure, and refuses to quit on a down. Agreed??“
Go look at this first INT of the year on 1st and 10 from the 14 against the eagles, all that fighting the current to throw a pick in his own endzone killed a 2nd half rally. Throw the dang ball away and live to play another down.
“The Winston comparisons don’t really fit either. Jameis often turned the ball over because of poor reads (ineffective contact lenses) and forcing throws into coverage. Most of Bakes turnovers come from AGGRESSIVENESS and playmaking. I’ll take a quarterback I occasionally have to rein in over one I’m constantly begging to make a play. Can I get an AMEN??“
So explain throwing 30 picks, leading the #3 offense and getting both Mike & Chris 2nd team all pros with neither playing the full 16 games in 2019.
They throw picks for the same reason, bad reads, spitting accuracy, and being out of rhythm. Your context is really just spin, nothing analytical at all. Man if I could post film cut ups in here it save some of us a lot of unnecessary typing lol
Controlled aggression, lol
June 24th, 2026 at 2:57 am
BoriMex 813
What you’re failing to mention is that some of Baker’s interceptions come from his inability to read defenses adequately. Along with the interceptions and fumbles there are numerous bad throws, literally in the dirt. These have led to turnovers on downs which is essentially the same as turnovers.
Like you I have a love hate feelings about Baker. That never given up on a play mentality sounds good. Sounds like Moxie, but in the long run, they are detrimental to the team. They lead to turnovers, they lead to him holding onto the ball too long. How many times have you seen him throw the ball away that boxy also leads to injuries that dragged the team down. If he’s going to be a franchise quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers he simply needs to learn to play smart football. He has a lot of talent, but he plays like a caveman.
Smart quarterbacks, protect themselves, protect the ball, protect down and distance, protect leads. Quarterbacks with Moxie just run around like a Tasmanian devil looking for somebody to hit.
The bucks are aware of this, and unless he starts protecting his body, he will not get a long-term deal here or anywhere else. This is his last stop as a starter.
June 24th, 2026 at 6:41 am
ATLBuc – “This is his last stop as a starter.”
Perhaps the most ridiculous statement I have read on this site in awhile (and that’s saying a lot!).
The ONLY way it would ever be accurate is if does get multiple long term contracts with the Bucs and ends his career here (one way or another).
June 24th, 2026 at 6:42 am
The BoriMax813 post is an excellent illustration of why football is a TEAM game.
Mayfield is Not an elite QB- he’s a good QB that needs a quality team around him to perform his best.
This is why his contract extension needs to allow for the Bucs to have enough cap space to continue to sign/re-sign good/elite players for the overall quality talent of the team.
Brady understood this and Mayfield needs to understand and accept this as well.