Can Baker Mayfield Bounce Back?
July 25th, 2026
T-minus four days and counting. Exactly four days from the time this here story publishes, Bucs players and coaches matriculate onto the Bucs practice fields behind One Buc Palace to start warming up for the first training camp practice of 2026.
Joe will be sweating just watching them.
This team has all sorts of question marks, mostly all over the defense. One is on the offense. And it is a big one.
BSPN’s Jenna Laine explained.
Biggest storyline: Can Baker Mayfield bounce back? We’re just now discovering the extent of Mayfield’s injuries from last season — a sprained MCL and PCL since Week 2, a biceps contusion that turned the entire muscle purple and a left shoulder injury. How much did that hamper his performance; where is his true ceiling; and if a new deal doesn’t get done before the start of camp, how will it impact him in 2026? Mayfield said back in June: “The guys in that locker room, the staff know that I’m still going to be me. I’m still going to do everything I can to help this team win a Super Bowl. And to me, that’s the priority. Everything else will take care of itself.”
This isn’t really a question from what Joe has heard both on and off the record. There is no question. Mayfield will be your Bucs quarterback in 2027 and beyond, barring a catastrophe. He wants to play for the Bucs. Bucs shot-callers want Mayfield him here. The only issue is how many zeros are on his new contract.
Mayfield is a double-edged sword in so many ways. You love his heart but that heart also gets him in trouble physically.
If he gets a contract extension and he doesn’t bounce back from his poorest season in Tampa Bay? Then you’ve chained yourself to a 32-year old quarterback who gets beat up.
If that happens this year and the Bucs have another losing record, would a new head coach even want to tie his future to Mayfield or would top candidates pass on the Bucs because of Mayfield?
There’s a whole lot of moving parts to the Bucs right now. And yes, there is far more than one question mark that likely won’t be answered until January.
July 25th, 2026 at 6:53 am
I’d like to see Mayfield with a healthy offensive line. Not much to ask because even Brady & Manning needed their lines. Are last year’s starters even still with the team?
July 25th, 2026 at 7:24 am
Something I was picking up on last season Bucs would defer to the second if they won the coin toss. Often the opposing team scored first and Mayfield and company would have to play from behind. It’s something I believe affected Josh Grizzard’s play calling. I remember talking to WBS about it. I like the idea of deferring to the second if you can get a stop and score first. Feels like the Bucs play more loose and in control. Every team would take that scenario. Just had that playing catch up struggle vibe the whole game. As soon as Bucs closed the gap the other team would score again. It is the NFL and games are close.
July 25th, 2026 at 7:31 am
Joe, when Bake wins MVP this year, I’m fully expecting next July’s headline to read: “Can Baker Bounce Back From Winning MVP?” 😂
We’re acting like he suddenly forgot how to play quarterback when he spent most of the season held together with tape, ibuprofen and a bicep that looked like an eggplant.
Quarterbacks don’t magically become worse overnight. Injuries, protection, the running game, and complementary football all matter. We clean up those areas, and Bake will be just fine. The defense, on the other hand… that’s the storyline I’m waiting to see bounce back.
🔥 LFG!!
🏈 Blue Chew Bake for MVP!!
💍 ME!!!
July 25th, 2026 at 7:41 am
Of course Bake can bounce back, just like I could win the lottery.
There are fans blaming OL injuries, when other QBs in harder divisions got pressured and sacked more and still made it to the playoffs. Now we got fans blaming which team got the ball first as a reason for the inconsistent, non-explosive offense.
Everyone making a case for Bake describe these perfect scenarios that need to happen for him to have success. Healthy OL, good OC, better defense, etc. But he’s had all these things with the Bucs and Browns and did absolutely nothing with them.
Why are so many people expecting Mayfield make a deep playoff run when he’s not doing anything to improve his game, protect his body and master this new offense? How can you different results from a player that wants to stay the same?
July 25th, 2026 at 7:42 am
@Inwoodjeremy
I agree, and that is a very underrated point. Analytics favor playing with a lead because it keeps the entire playbook OPEN. Deferring only works if your defense earns it with a stop. Too many times last year the Bucs deferred, spotted the opponent 7 points, and spent the rest of the afternoon trying to recover. That’s not on Baker, that’s playing uphill before the offense even takes the field.
And let’s be honest, Grizzard’s sequencing and middle school playbook run, run, obvious passing down… punt was brutal at times.Defenses were practically calling out the next play from the other sideline.
July 25th, 2026 at 7:43 am
1 really good year surrounded by to not top 15 years, not bad years but not great, on top of 4 mediocre to bad years, so I get the hesitation to commit $150 million at least over 3 years, smells like a Tua, Kirk, Russell, Carr, Geno n Kyler type of gamble, over paying for an average, ain’t going to win anything type of QB
July 25th, 2026 at 7:52 am
@Bee
Please name the quarterbacks. It’s easy to say “other QBs had it worse,” but who? More importantly, did they win because they overcame everything themselves, or because they had better complementary football? Analytics have shown for years that EPA, success rate, and win probability all improve when your defense gets stops and your offense stays balanced. Great quarterbacks elevate teams yes, but no quarterback consistently wins by himself.
July 25th, 2026 at 7:53 am
Yeah but Guzzie if JL does his job right as far as the rest of the team you can also have a Darnold, Brad Johnson or Nick Foles.
Getting a qb is like buying a winning lottery scratcher. Win $100 (Darnold), that’s cool. Win $1,000,000 (Brady, Manning, Mahomes) that’s amazing! And a lot more rare
July 25th, 2026 at 8:04 am
@Bee
Now I’m pissed because you’re talking about my quarterback. Here is where your argument falls apart. What evidence do you have that Baker “isn’t improving his game” or “hasn’t mastered the offense?” Since arriving in Tampa, he’s improved his command at the line of scrimmage, cut down on unnecessary risks compared to earlier in his career, led both Cleveland and Tampa Bay to the playoffs during his career, and earned the trust of the coaching staff. Those aren’t opinions, they’re why he’s still the unquestioned starter.
As for “protecting his body,” that’s a fair criticism at times. Baker’s competitive nature can work against him. But saying he “wants to stay the same” is pure speculation. There’s a huge difference between playing fearless and refusing to improve.
So let me ask you this: Are you in the quarterback room? Are you sitting in on film sessions, offseason workouts, or coaches’ meetings? If not, then you have no idea what Baker is doing to improve. You’re presenting assumptions as facts, and those are two very different things.
July 25th, 2026 at 8:08 am
@Bee
Please name the quarterbacks. It’s easy to say “other QBs had it
±++++++++++++
She wont. Its just opinion prese ted as facts.
Move on – nothing to see here.
July 25th, 2026 at 8:16 am
1. We had the worst special teams I’ve ever seen in NFL history last year.
2. We had the worst offensive line in the NFL last year.
3. We had the worst defensive line I’ve seen in years. Zero pressure.
4. We didn’t swarm at all last year.
5. But we still almost won the NFC South.
So.
1. We now have one of the best special teams coaches in the NFL.
2. Our offensive line is healthy with better depth. Sua, Skule, Shrauth, Chukwuma
3. Our defensive line added 5 new players. Awesome!
I think Baker will play better with a better team around him.
Go Bucs!
July 25th, 2026 at 8:30 am
@jcscycles
@Teacherman
Amen 🙏!
🔥 LFG
🧌 ❌
July 25th, 2026 at 8:35 am
I continue to scratch my head over these comments about Baker bouncing back. I also marvel at the Baker haters claiming the massive injuries to the o-Line, RB, Receivers and lousy defense are just something every QB Deals with.. Some of that may be true, but not all of those things at the same time..
For 2 1/2 years Baker played like a top 5 QB. Then he got injured trying to compensate for the entire group of skill players on the sideline in street clothes, a defense that couldn’t stop a nose bleed, a 3rd OC, and Defensive HC that couldn’t even manage his side of the ball.. And somehow the narrative is, “can Baker Bounce Back”?
The reality is that Baker will be fine, and more than hold up his end of the bargain.. The question is, will the rest of the team and coaches do their part!
If the Bucs don’t pay Baker, someone else definitely will..
July 25th, 2026 at 8:43 am
Allow me to summarize the next 67 posts:
“Baker sucks, 2-7 down the stretch”
“Throws picks in the 4th quarter”
“Has been fired from 3 other teams”
“1-3 in the playoffs”
“He’s short, can’t throw in the middle”
My work is done here
July 25th, 2026 at 9:04 am
Bee, 🐝 your questions are on the right side of legitimate, except for one! How do you know he has not made himself familiar with the new offense and learns more about it daily?
July 25th, 2026 at 9:04 am
@Beeej
LOL.
Don’t worry. There will be 3 or 4 I love Todd and Baker posts thrown in there somewhere. Fair and balanced.
July 25th, 2026 at 9:04 am
Hey Bee, instead of just yacking nonsense pulled out of the air BS, why don’t you back up your BS with facts? What team was it that had as many injuries as the Bucs and that team’s quarterback , pulled them through and apparently maybe won the super bowl?
You trolls are just so stupid.
July 25th, 2026 at 9:05 am
The older players get, the more apt they are to get injured and are slower to heal.
July 25th, 2026 at 9:14 am
Beej, might want to check the facts before you say Baker was fired from three teams! Baker requested twice to the Browns to be released before they traded him to the Panthers, Panthers released him after his request, and the Rams would have signed him as a backup but he on the cheap signed with the Bucs on a prove yourself deal!
July 25th, 2026 at 9:22 am
Objectively, Baker is an ok quarterback. Nothing more, nothing less. I wish he was better, almost Brady-like. But he’s not.
Subjectively, Baker is someone else. His personality has enabled him to creep into the minds of those who seek hero worship. They build a wall of deflection around him. When he screws up it’s always the fault of others. When that blame is exhausted they create a series of unnamed, invisible injuries. Gotta give Baker credit for that. His Svengali schtick actually works on them.
The hypnotized are then, thru Baker’s mind control, ordered to label his critics as haters when these people want the same Bucs outcome—another Lombardi.
The branding of critics as haters only divides the Bucs Nation. Ironically, the hypnotized are the real haters by labeling those who criticize Baker as football heretics, or unworthy Bucs fans.
This Baker nonsense is a microcosm of the America we live in today—one big divided nation.
And it kinda sucks …
VERY IMPORTANT—if you get a headache when reading this, it’s nothing more than Baker sending another mind control signal to block these comments from entering your mind. Fight it! And once again you’ll be able to see things as they are, not as Baker instructs you to see them. Good luck!
July 25th, 2026 at 9:25 am
Can Baker Mayfield bounce back?
Yes.
He can rebound from being a below mediocre QB after week 8 last season – back to being a mediocre QB in 2026.
Until he gets injured again then “wash and repeat”.
7-10.
Sorry folks.
July 25th, 2026 at 9:52 am
is Baker really worth the investment of an extension ? there is always a QB alternative – trusted players like Mahomes and Tua get injured – Purdy comes out of nowhere – Mac Jones and Deshaun Watson disappear – is Mayfield really Josh Allen ? negotiate the contract after the 2026 season
July 25th, 2026 at 10:09 am
Munch has said the Baker faked his injuries last year. Munch’s object of lust, Tom Brady, would have refused to play behind 3rd string O linemen. Baker toughed it out when he should have sat for a couple of weeks. The defense refused to tackle and regularly gave away games. Will never forget 3rd and 28 and in turn 4th and 14.
July 25th, 2026 at 10:29 am
Alright guys
The Bucs offensive line finished 17th overall in the rankings and 5th overall in aggregate analytics. As a whole, the team surrendered 38 total sacks.
Los Angeles Chargers: Ranked 30th on the offensive line and allowed 60 sacks.
Houston Texans: Ranked 27th on the offensive line and allowed 47 sacks.
Buffalo Bills: Ranked 29th on the offensive line and allowed 40 sacks.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Ranked 24th on the offensive line and allowed 41 sacks.
All these teams gave up more sacks, had worse rankings and managed to make the playoffs in tougher divisions.
How do I know Baker isn’t perfecting his craft? Because its never mentioned what hes doing specifically to improve the weak parts of his game. Notice how every OC that coaches Baker has to improve his footwork. What part of his game has gotten better? What mistakes did he make early on that he doesn’t now? You can’t improve and make the same mistakes you made on the 3 teams before this one.
Thats why him and Bowles are the perfect pair. Theres no growth, only resting on laurels and trying hard is better than winning. Its not trolling having high standards and stating facts. As a fan, you should want better.
Bill Walsh won a SB with a HoF QB and still went out to get another QB to complete. And then he won more SBs. That what winners do, they hurt their superstars feelings and do what’s best for the TEAM to WIN.
July 25th, 2026 at 10:55 am
@Bee
You’re arguing from absence of evidence, not evidence.
First, you bring up offensive line rankings and sacks as if that proves Bake is the problem. It doesn’t. Team sacks are influenced by scheme, injuries, receivers getting open, running backs in protection, and yes, quarterbacks. Those stats don’t magically isolate Bake.
Second, you ask, “How do I know Bake isn’t perfecting his craft?” You don’t. Unless you’re sitting in the quarterback room, attending film sessions, or standing on the practice field, you’re guessing. (you’re not grasping or reading or both it’s been mentioned on multiple occasions ♻️.) Not hearing about every detail of his offseason work isn’t proof it doesn’t exist.
Then you ask what he’s improved. That’s actually easy:
* He’s become far more efficient (not perfect) operating the offense at the line of scrimmage.
* His command of protections and pre-snap adjustments is dramatically better than it was in Cleveland or Carolina.
* He’s cut down on the reckless “hero-ball” stretches that plagued him earlier in his career.
* He’s become one of the league’s better play-action quarterbacks.
* Most importantly, he’s earned the trust of multiple coaching staffs and teammates enough to become the unquestioned starter.
Those are measurable improvements, not feelings.
And the Bill Walsh comparison completely misses the point!! Walsh drafted Steve Young when Joe Montana was aging and had an all-time succession plan. He didn’t draft Young because Montana “wasn’t trying to improve.” Those are two completely different situations.
Having high standards is great. Inventing reasons to criticize your quarterback after back-to-back playoff seasons isn’t. If Bake were making the exact same mistakes he made four or five years ago, NFL coaches, teammates, and front offices wouldn’t have entrusted him to lead a playoff team. ♻️
At some point, the criticism stops being objective and starts becoming confirmation bias.
July 25th, 2026 at 10:57 am
🔝 Bill Walsh acquired him via trade after Tampa Bay moved him to the San Francisco 49ers in 1987.
July 25th, 2026 at 11:01 am
@ Bee
“The Bucs offensive line finished 17th overall in the rankings and 5th overall in aggregate analytics. As a whole, the team surrendered 38 total sacks.
Los Angeles Chargers: Ranked 30th on the offensive line and allowed 60 sacks.”
Are you sure that the special ability of “moxy or grit” didn’t skew these statistics?
How many times did we see TB12 go down in the fetal position rather than ramming his little body into 250 lb NFL LBs?
IMO giving up on a play is the most genius move ever…
The ability to analyse a situation in less than 2 seconds and make the proper decision is more important than this facade of “Moxy or grit”.
Sorry folks.
7-10.
July 25th, 2026 at 11:05 am
Bounce back? From what?
2-7 wasn’t Baker’s fault, nor was it Todd’s fault.
The Dolphins were a way better team than people realize. Baker was gritty, and Todd had done everything he could do. He even said so.
They still won 2 games.
July 25th, 2026 at 11:16 am
There Joe goes again, equating a team’s record to the quarterback.
Most will argue that another “short” QB, Drew Brees, was one of the best to ever play. His team didn’t even win 60% of their games and he was barely over .500 in the post season. Or, how about Matthew Stafford’s career record of 120–118–1?
Wins and losses are not a QB stat or one any QB should be judged by.
July 25th, 2026 at 11:30 am
There is no bouncing back. He was hurt and shouldn’t even been playing. He will play just like he played in the first half of the season, MVP level play.
July 25th, 2026 at 11:45 am
My gosh the Baker praise is heavy in the comment sections.
What in the voting for the NFL top 100 players — yes Baker made it again!
But let us look closer. What he is going to be the 13th or 14th quarterback rated going into this season.
So, some season’s he makes the top 100 players and gets as high as what the 8th or 9th best QB in the league based upon his league mates opinions.
Other seasons he has not made it…. so, what then maybe the 22nd best QB in the league (not too harsh correct).
Yes, I know for many of you the NFL players have less ability to rate QB’s than us sitting here on the keyboards of our favorite team because everyone of us has evaluated each and every offensive line, skill positions, and coaching of all these other teams as it compares to our own. Of course, we have!
July 25th, 2026 at 11:53 am
Bounce back from what?
Last year was closer to his actual level of play and per season averages as an NFL QB. Which is around 3,500-3,800 yards, 26 TDs and completing 30 TDs once, which was 2024 and before that the most TDs he’s thrown in 1 season was 28 which was 2023 his first year with us.
Was it “all” him, or did it help having a Mike Evans & a Chris Godwin and to an extent a Rachaad White to work with? Up for debate, but the numbers don’t lie and 2 of the 3 players Í mentioned were doing number with Winston AND Tom Brady prior to Bakers’ arrival.
Ya’ll will spin it as hate, but production is production and to me, it’s less about bouncing back and more about overachieving. Which, you can’t really bank on a storm always being perfect.
July 25th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
Love him, hate him or objectively analyze him, Baker Mayfield will be the Bucs QB this year. For better or worse there’s no changing that.
But there is a changeable, awaiting reality out there that can determine the future of this team. Bakers contract.
The cap is 301 million for all players and Baker wants in excess of 1/6th of that total. That in itself is insane, and if Licht pays it this team’s likelihood for success is all but vaporized. As I’ve stated before, this making one guy super rich formula does not work because none is left to sign talented free agents or quality backups. The numbers speak for themselves. IT DOES NOT WORK!
Surely Licht knows this, and if he doesn’t he should signing dishwashers to greasy spoon contracts where the salt in your eggs is directly dropped from the cook’s sweating forehead.
If Baker signed to a team friendly, respectable contract matching his current salary, go ahead and sign him. But arrogance and greed will prevent that. With my fandom on the line I hope I’m wrong. Stay tuned …
July 25th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
I like it when aqualung pouts and goes all teenage daughter with the sarcasm 😉
July 25th, 2026 at 1:03 pm
Marine Buc
I concur. One thing I love about Brady was if the play wasn’t there he threw it away or dirted the ball. The longer Baker holds the ball the worse the offense gets and the worse the OL looks.
WBL
Good point.
BoriMex
You said a lot in your comment but you didn’t call me a liar which shows I’m not being disingenuous by stating the facts he helped produce. Those 5 improvements you mentioned, what game did you see those in during the 2-7 record at the end of the season?
How did he operate the offense at the LOS vs ATL when he threw a pick and the next drive, had a 3rd down incompletion that lead to 3rd and 28? How did he cut down on hero ball by playing through injuries? Does mentioning these facts make me a hater?
Back to back playoffs two years ago isn’t bad. 1-2 playoff record isn’t good. Beating a Philly team that lost 7 straight is good. Never leading in Detroit and throwing a 4th qtr int on the Bucs side of the field isnt good. Losing to a rookie and the 27th ranked defense that gave up 35 ppg in the playoffs, at home, isn’t good. The coaches and all the players love him, and thats great, so how does that help him play better and help the team win?
Baker has his own TV show so if he was staying behind at OBP throwing to receivers and studying film, we’d hear about it.
Walsh did whatever it took to make sure his team won 🏆 and he didnt settle for average. Thats the point.
If the Bucs keep Baker fine, they’ll continue to be average at best. The Bucs haven’t been a serious contender since 2021.
July 25th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
Toughness only gets you so far. Poise and accuracy are way more important.
July 25th, 2026 at 3:07 pm
Steve young was drafted by the Bucs in the usfl supplemental draft, FYI.
July 25th, 2026 at 6:40 pm
It’s nice and all, but there will be actual REAL games starting soon in High School. So, it just doesn’t have the same ring to it as “Pitchers & Catchers Reporting To Spring Training.” Right after the football season has officially come to an end. And, you’re feelin’ a little down… Then, BAMMMMM. “Pitchers and Catchers.” YESSSSSS. Count me in. There is NOT a better place to be ON THE PLANET, than right here in Tampa Bay for MLB Spring Training. And, The Players, The Valspar, St. Paddy’s Day, THE NCAA Tournament, & with Augusta and Easter right around the corner. That’s my favorite time of the year! Can’t Beat It. It’s just too damn HOT right now, to get very excited about ANY FREAKING THING.
July 25th, 2026 at 6:58 pm
When Baker was healthy with a decent O.C.in Coen, he had 41 tds, threw for over 4500 yds had a rating of 106.8 and a nearly 70% completion percentage…So for all the haters on this “fan” site, who praytell do u guys want instead of him with those lofty stats!? I’m really curious , who is gonna be better?? A draft rookie we have to wait at least 2-3 yrs before he MIGHT excel…or is Mahomes available for a 4th rd pick and i misses it?
July 25th, 2026 at 7:00 pm
I was going to add Keeneland to that list, but I knew that most people on here had never heard of it LoL. I’ve always described it to others, as being just like Augusta and The Masters. Like, everything there is just SO pristine and GREEN LoL… Historic and absolutely BEAUTIFUL (especially in the Spring). It’s Perfection. I was watching “Wake Up Barstool” one morning awhile back leading up to The Derby. And, the crazy thing about that was Dave Portnoy (HUGE in Horse Racing) was trying to explain Keeneland to his crew, and HE described it to THEM exactly the same way that “I” do. I was still half asleep, and it really through me through a loop, since I thought that “I” was the only one who’d came up with that!!!! Maybe, I was the FIRST Hahah… Seriously. I used to tell EVERYONE THAT.
July 25th, 2026 at 7:11 pm
@ Kidfloflo Says: “A draft rookie we have to wait at least 2-3 yrs before he MIGHT excel.”
NO. Absolutely, NOT. I am 💯 AGAINST “Drafting” a Quarterback during Year-1 of a total ‘rebuild’ after a complete tear down. And, WASTING even a single YEAR of his ‘rookie-level’ contract, with a depleted roster and a BAD TEAM. It would make ZERO SENSE. I’ve seen waaayyy too many RUINED that way! You sign a Vet on the CHEAP and you BUILD. THE. ROSTER. FIRST. It doesn’t matter WHO your QB is during that first year or two, just as long as he is CHEAP). Because, you are NOT ‘winning’ anyway, regardless. You ARE clearing as much salary cap space as humanly possible, and rebuilding the roster. THEN, you can worry about “DRAFTING” your future young STUD franchise QB.
July 25th, 2026 at 7:57 pm
BORI! with a left hook of common sense!! Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!
July 25th, 2026 at 9:14 pm
i know tb is not baker but… tom had talent drive and he studied so much! baker has talent but a nack for imploding. maybe he needs to study more
July 26th, 2026 at 3:05 am
@Bee
The biggest flaw in your argument is that every positive gets dismissed, every negative gets magnified, and every assumption gets treated like a fact. That’s starting with a conclusion and working backward.
🔥 LFG!
💍 ME!!
🧑🍳 For MVP ‘26
July 26th, 2026 at 10:16 am
There is no getting through to the haters. We all have tried common sense, sarcasm, jokes, facts and reality but none of it works. They can’t and don’t want BM6 to be successful. But he is like any qb, when there is a “team” around him that both the offense and defense are superbowl worthy he will lead us to it and win. Just like he did playing the superbowl champs this year. If we would have been healthy who knows what we could have done. If you beat the superbowl champs a couple of weeks before they win the superbowl, it stands to reason you could win the superbowl. I’m sure that little FACT scares the haters to death. That’s their worst nightmare, Baker Mayfield winning a superbowl.😂 oh well, it’s gonna happen sooner or later but it’s going to happen. You can take that to the bank.
July 26th, 2026 at 10:41 am
It was not that bad of a season but yes he will bounce back
July 26th, 2026 at 12:46 pm
If that’s the case, HORRIBLE COACHING.
Why did Bowles not rest Baker? Terrible decion of the HC. Just stupid.
July 27th, 2026 at 11:12 am
I’ve been thinking about that “contusion.” They usually don’t spread like that one did.
Are.. uh… are we sure there wasn’t a biceps tear? It would explain some things.