The Baker Mayfield Prognostication To Jason Licht In “Quarterback”
July 16th, 2026
Did Baker Mayfield have the pulse of his team last season?
Joe is not behind the scenes every day, so that can’t be answered here. However, Mayfield in Quarterback offered a peek into his thinking before a critical game against the Rams.
In the new Netflix docuseries, which features Mayfield, Joe Flacco, Cam Ward and Jayden Daniels by following them through last season, Mayfield is seen mic’d up and talking to Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht at a practice prior to the Week 12 game against the Rams on Sunday Night Football.
The Bucs were coming off tough losses to the Patriots and Bills.
“Mentally, it feels like it did last week [against Buffalo] with the guys locked in, bought in on it,” Mayfield told Licht as the two watched part of practice. “As long as, you know, they’re bought in on the details — I’ll give you a better answer tomorrow [at practice] — but to be able to run the ball, and we’ll be better in the pass game, too.”
The Bucs’ first three drives against the Rams netted 17 plays for 28 yards and a turnover. Before Tampa Bay got the ball in the second quarter, the Bucs trailed 21-0. The game was over.
Was Mayfield not reading his team correctly in the practice and meetings leading up to the Rams game? It seems that way.
July 17th, 2026 at 1:27 am
Or it could also be something as simple as he, unlike todd, wasn’t willing to throw his OC or HC under the bus and just told Licht what he wanted to hear. Happens all the time.
July 17th, 2026 at 1:28 am
He held back info from the team on how bad he was injured, it’s not a stretch to see him doing something similar here.
July 17th, 2026 at 5:56 am
That game was lost in the trenches. The Rams dominated on both sides. Everybody always has a plan until they get hit in the mouth.
July 17th, 2026 at 6:43 am
“Was Mayfield not reading his team correctly in the practice and meetings leading up to the Rams game? It seems that way.”
Or he might have simply been trying to talk himself into believing it. Sometimes you just never know how people will react. Clearly the team was a little fragile mentally at that point and after a couple of mistakes they really let down.
July 17th, 2026 at 6:53 am
This is nothing new. HOF head coaches will tell you there are weeks of practice where everything is perfect and they play like crap. To say this somehow shows Baker doesn’t know his team is fan fiction.
July 17th, 2026 at 7:03 am
Anyone who follows the team regularly knew that game was going to be a blow out. Prime time game against McVay with a good roster and capable qb. There was zero chance
None.
July 17th, 2026 at 7:08 am
Agree with Drunk Bucs Fan and Jack Burton. The Bucs could have had a good practice, and/or it was Baker wanting to believe it – getting ready for the game.
July 17th, 2026 at 8:35 am
FlBoy84 Says:
July 17th, 2026 at 1:28 am
He held back info from the team on how bad he was injured, it’s not a stretch to see him doing something similar here.
BINGO!!!
and they slammed Bucky for doing the same thing
GO BUCS!!!!
July 17th, 2026 at 8:36 am
So Joe, you expect Mayfield to tell his boss, We Suck, there is no way this line is even going to be able to make a dent in the opponents line. BTW, our defense sucks big time so I predict a 21 – 0 score after 3 possessions.
No boss wants to hear that, even if it was going to be true.
July 17th, 2026 at 9:06 am
Really, not much of anything he says on this show can be believed. And that includes things he said to the team. He knows he is on camera and mic’d up so he is not going to throw any team mates under the bus. So, it appears that this show, at least in the regard of communicating honestly with his GM, affected the Bucs adversely.
July 17th, 2026 at 9:58 am
That was a real stinker. Just reading that and being reminded makes me worry about this upcoming season.
July 17th, 2026 at 4:29 pm
Buc’s were out coached completely…
July 17th, 2026 at 4:44 pm
Obviously if that were true,gambling wouldn’t be a problem with people..