Report: Bucs Concerned Baker Mayfield Will Continue To “Neglect” His Health
June 14th, 2026
Joe waited a day on this to see if Bucs officials would demand a correction or a re-phrasing.
It seems they did not.
A TampaBay.com report yesterday (the twice-weekly community newspaper lives behind a paywall), dove into the Baker Mayfield contract situation. The fresh nugget for Joe was reporter Rick Stroud claiming the Bucs think Mayfield doesn’t take proper care of himself.
However, the Bucs are concerned about one element of his game he continues to neglect: his health.
“Neglect” is a very strong word.
Included in the article was press conference quote from Todd Bowles saying the usual; the team would love to see Mayfield avoid taking hits on scrambles more often. Frankly, that’s something every team with a scrambling QB says.
Joe keeps coming back to “neglect.” That’s a very interesting choice of word for a QB that hasn’t missed a start in three years, has performed well in the postseason and, obviously, puts a lot of effort into maintaining his body.
JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman talked to Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht about Mayfield’s health 10 days ago.
Ira Kaufman: Will you to try to contain his scrambling instincts to minimize the hits Mayfield endures?
Jason Licht: That’s a tough one. There’s been a lot of “No, no no … way to go” when Baker takes off. He’s a playmaker. That’s the way he’s built. Yes, it’s a delicate balance.
Ira Kaufman: Did Baker Mayfield try to do too much during the 2-7 tailspin?
Jason Licht: The way he’s wired, he’ll always try to put everything on him. Given the things he was battling through, it was a tough second half of the year.
Is Mayfield’s history of getting banged up affecting the Bucs’ contract offer? Only Licht and Team Glazer know, for sure.
Joe is certain, however, Mayfield would be more likely to play more conservatively if the Bucs had a good defense.
June 14th, 2026 at 9:46 am
I said this from the beginning, baker was hurt after that San Fran win for sure. Had we started bridgewater for a couple of games after that win, we might’ve been in the playoffs.
June 14th, 2026 at 9:50 am
Let’s not wait too long to move on from Baker like we did with Jameis. We could have had Josh Allen all these years.
June 14th, 2026 at 9:56 am
No doubt his playing style factors into the conversation. The Bucs are planting that through Stroud. Oddly it’s his greatest strength & weakeness simultaneously. His style of play pays dividends in so many ways yet can be costly at the same time. I’d be looking to put a games played qualifier on the contract, especially if you’re going to pay $50M/yr. But I’d be cautious of trying too hard to remove the dog in his game. That could backfire. No risk it, no biscuit!
June 14th, 2026 at 10:03 am
I agree, if the defense was better I think he would taking some pressure off himself. However, I don’t see it this year with this defense, to many holes. With that said the player is who he is. I mean he is only going to change so much. Yes it would be better for him and the team for him to not try to make every play.
That will be hard this year. I expect this team to give up a lot of points mainly in the passing game. Presently the Bucs have an inexperienced LB and are really weak in the CB position. The offense will have to carry the team, which will put a lot on Baker especially at the end of games.
June 14th, 2026 at 10:03 am
Clack bait
June 14th, 2026 at 10:22 am
We need two vet cornerbacks. Weakest spot on team. Fix it Mr. Licht!
June 14th, 2026 at 10:33 am
“The best ability is availability.”
June 14th, 2026 at 10:37 am
There are so many promising QB’s coming out in the draft next year that the Bucs should be in no hurry to extend Baker. Baker is his own worst enemy , because he wants to prove how tough he is when he should be concerned more with being healthy for the last 8 games of the season.
June 14th, 2026 at 10:40 am
Bottom line, they don’t think he’ll last long. Already 31, undersized thinking he can lower his shoulder against defenders. That’s why they didn’t offer him a long term big money deal, they don’t think he’ll last. Fifty mill for 3 years is more like it. When Baker realizes no one will pay him more for any longer he’ll sign.
June 14th, 2026 at 10:48 am
Geno712 Says:
June 14th, 2026 at 9:50 am
Let’s not wait too long to move on from Baker like we did with Jameis. We could have had Josh Allen all these years.
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And all these years the Bills have also been waiting to go beyond winning the division and a playoff game……….. one in the hand……… the grass is greener!!!
June 14th, 2026 at 11:00 am
You guarantee this guy too many years and it will put us in a dolphins situation.
Just give him his money but protect the guarantees.
June 14th, 2026 at 11:02 am
The only time I can see Baker being hurt was in 2023 last year he was not injured enough that he was unable to play good. No player is a 100 percent by week 5 regardless of the sport especially football so it’s time to kill that narrative. Because that ain’t going to be a good enough excuse this year. If he plays like he did the second half of the season it’s time to move on and draft a quarterback in the first round no more excuses NFC Championship or bust for him and Todd Bowles.
June 14th, 2026 at 11:13 am
Mayfield is a baller and has many times put this team on his back. It’s not always pretty, but you can bet he won’t leave much, if anything, on the field. It would be great if some of his teammates felt the same way.
June 14th, 2026 at 11:21 am
Baker does what it takes to get those needed yards. Don’t change that. It’s up to the team to manage it and have a good backup ready to go.
June 14th, 2026 at 11:41 am
Yeah, Baker mixes it up a little more than is like, but that’s just Baker. Neglectful was just an unfortunate word choice. No mention of the name of that actual writer. Maybe English isn’t their main language.
June 14th, 2026 at 11:45 am
Tampa Bay has 3 wins last season without Mayfield’s scrambling.
Coen’s entire offense was predicated on Mayfield saving his wasted 1st and 2nd downs.
Rewatch the games. The injuries have always been due to poor line play and/or late hits (see both Saints game injuries). Mayfield is a pocket passer without a pocket. Elite pocket navigation and scrambling have hid player deficiencies and poor OC coaching in 23, 24, and 25.
The TB oline gives up quick pressures (<2.5 seconds) at amongst the highest rates in the league (including in 2024) and that forces scrambles.
It's almost like none of you understand football well, but some of you write about it, and many of you comment about it, and just repeat your nonsense until you believe it.
June 14th, 2026 at 11:49 am
Idk JOE you really think baker would play more conservatively with a better D. I don’t. Go back and look at games when the D held their own. Baker is just wired that way. He’s not the kind to live for another down. It’s 100 mph all the time. He fights for ever blade of grass to gain. It’s what made me a fan. Does come with bad consequences tho.
June 14th, 2026 at 12:06 pm
“ Joe is certain, however, Mayfield would be more likely to play more conservatively if the Bucs had a good defense.”
Ding ding ding ding ding!
My Joe hits the nail right on the head.
June 14th, 2026 at 12:08 pm
Joe says “Joe is certain, however, Mayfield would be more likely to play more conservatively if the Bucs had a good defense.”
I say DITTO!!! And add a better DC too!
June 14th, 2026 at 1:23 pm
Here’s hoping the Bucs defense improves enough so that Mayfield doesn’t have to play hero ball. He needs to slide before risking hits to his body. Live to play another down was Brady’s philosophy.
Mayfield needs to trust his receivers. The receiver talent is there. With an improved defense the Bucs should be a playoff contender. The Bucs need a healthy Baker to contend. Having a hurt Baker means another losing season. 📉