Another Log On The Baker Mayfield Fire
August 24th, 2026
Joe had to pause when this was made public.
Joe can only imagine the reaction at One Buc Palace.
The Cleveland Browns have announced that creepy Deshaun Watson will be be their starting quarterback to launch the 2026 season.
Watson is the guy who replaced Baker Mayfield in Cleveland. Browns management quit on Mayfield, the 2018 No. 1 overall draft pick, following the 2021 season. Mayfield unsuccessfully played through a bad shoulder that year and the Browns became smitten with Watson.
The trade package for Watson included Cleveland sending the Houston Texans three first-round draft picks, and Watson became the wealthiest man in football with a ridiculous new contract. Mayfield was shipped off to Carolina.
Mayfield already told the 4th and South podcast this month that Cleveland in Week 2 is not just another game for him. Mayfield didn’t hide that he’s looking to punish the Browns for displacing him.
Now, Mayfield gets another log on that fire with 31-year-old Watson coming to take his lunch in Tampa.
Joe sure hopes the Bucs get proactive and have Mayfield talk to the team psychologist leading up to that game. And offensive coordinator Zac Robinson needs to realize he’s got a potentially volatile QB on his hands, so he should set the early play calls accordingly.
August 24th, 2026 at 2:12 pm
Considering Watson’s massive guaranteed contract, I wonder what it averages out to be per happy ending?
August 24th, 2026 at 2:12 pm
I love it !
August 24th, 2026 at 2:16 pm
But is Watson bringing his own towel?
Seriously, we better kick their arse with or without Baker bringing extra fire.
August 24th, 2026 at 2:19 pm
-Yawn-
Better make sure he does his best against ATL too or that meeting at midfield post-game will have the potential to be really weird.
August 24th, 2026 at 2:21 pm
Completely concur with the entire last paragraph here!
I wonder how he’ll “wake up feeling….” that morning of September 20th….
(I honestly wish – and since Bake has already stated he likes road games more anyways and that “there’s no better feeling than winning on the road” in the NFL – the Browns game was a road game)
August 24th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
As a Browns fan who roots for the Bucs now, this game will be poetic justice. I hope Baker goes off and throws for 400 yards and 5TDs and Watson looks atrocious. I’ll be there at that game.
August 24th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
Here’s the numbers this preseason numbers so far…
Watson, 162 yards passing, 59.3% completion rate, passer rating of 61.0
Mayfield, 10 yards passing, 50.0% completion rate, passer rating of 56.3
Meanwhile,
Daniels, 182 yards passing, 65.5% completion rate, passer rating of 94.3 – not to mention all the production that Daniels has had on the ground.
Pretty clear who is the best of the bunch here, and it shows why the Bucs stopped negotiating with Baker.
August 24th, 2026 at 2:23 pm
Who wrote this?
August 24th, 2026 at 2:23 pm
I am quite sure Mayfield cares nothing about who is starting for the Browns in week 2
August 24th, 2026 at 2:29 pm
Munch, you’re killing me- but that’s funny as hell.
August 24th, 2026 at 2:33 pm
Well I hope Baker doesn’t get to emotional it will make it hard to play well. Second I sure hope his teammates rally around him to settle him and then also play well . Should the Bucs somehow lose this game Baker may be a basket case for a few weeks after. I guess he also wants to totally out play Watson, which may not be that difficult.
August 24th, 2026 at 2:38 pm
Daniels will be 3rd string if he makes the team…so far looks good against other 3rd stringers though.
August 24th, 2026 at 2:42 pm
What might happen is bringing in another veteran QB next weekend
This time next week we will be talking about the practice squad and the backend of our 53 who can find themselves released and replaced with a veteran with starting experience.
Getting close boys and girls!
August 24th, 2026 at 2:49 pm
SB~LV 🏈 Says:
August 24th, 2026 at 2:42 pm
What might happen is bringing in another veteran QB next weekend
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There’s actually quite a number of pretty good QBs with experience that will be available – seemingly more than usual. If the Bucs do in fact keep Daniels on the active roster, which I think they will, they’ll likely sign Browning to the PS, but man, I’d be looking around since some better options might be available. Browning has nearly lost me with his slowball passing.
August 24th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
@Munch…you just proved my point about statistics. Which is there is a whole lot of context that surrounds them that aren’t included in the numbers. And all these other factors mostly differ from game to game like the quality of your opponents on both sides of the ball, quality of your teammates on both sides of the ball, the OC and DC quality and their play selection on both sides of the ball, The quality of the both HCs and their game plans, difficult of schedule, is it a home game, does your team play better at home to name a few!
August 24th, 2026 at 2:58 pm
Munch busting balls w preseason stats ,, a couple others J Herbert 1-2 for 9 yards and Caleb Williams 2-5 for 28 yards, here is where you can really twist true facts , Sam Darnold 0 yards so far, Drake Maye 0 yards so far, Dak 0 Yards so far guessing Daniels would start over these guys too!
August 24th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
When Baker losses to the Browns, please remove the franchise QB tag from his name permanently.
He’s going to do something ultra stupid that costs us that game.
Mark it zero dude.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:04 pm
Nothing to do with Mayfield, BUT… This is at the point now, of SUCH absurdity. And, it’s been going on in the state of Florida, as well. IN-season. I mean, Chaminade-Madonna just RUNS THRU THEM. You had the Tampa Bay Tech who transferred to CM, then lost the QB-job AFTER their first game, and THEN LEAVES and transfers to VENICE. It’s all just such a HUGE JOKE. Buford, GA just played their first game on ESPN a couple of days ago, and NOW THIS…
“On the eve of Texas high school football season starting, a pretty significant departure is expected to take place. Sources tell 247Sports that five-star Cedar Hill (Texas) High DL Jalen Brewster is transferring to Buford (Ga.) High. The nation’s top-ranked DL committed to Texas Tech in fall of 2025.
The 6-foot-3, 302-pound Brewster is ranked as the nation’s No. 1 DL and top overall prospect in Texas, according to 247Sports.”
Kid CAN’T WAIT to get to Texas Tech… To GET THAT MONEY. Buford promised him THEY could do that. It’s a very SAD state.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:04 pm
infomeplease Says:
August 24th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
@Munch…you just proved my point about statistics. Which is there is a whole lot of context that surrounds them that aren’t included in the numbers.
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I agree, which is why you should look at points, since scoring more points than the other team is how you win games…
Daniels lead offense is averaging 32 points per 60 mins…
Baker meanwhile, averaging out his numbers of 60 mins, lets see, carry the 1, and it’s… 0 points per game…
And another number in Daniels favor… $54M cheaper next season.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:05 pm
Feel embarrassed Rod.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:09 pm
@ SummerofGeorge – Oh, I can even do one BETTER… Just wait until, Bryce Young goes down, and Kyle Trask is inserted QB1. Better get your popcorn ready for THAT ONE. 💯
August 24th, 2026 at 3:10 pm
I bet Baker doesn’t have anything against Watson personally. Watson’s already beat into the ground, probably deservedly so. Baker’s not the type to pile on someone’s misery. Besides, Watson did ? Disturbed, self absorbed people don’t generally give back to the community generously and cheerfully the way Baker does, nor are they typically able to forgive family that have allegedly stolen 12 million of his hard earned money.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:14 pm
Some fans just never stop falling in love with these August QB stars. Comparing their stats is just pure bush league.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:15 pm
People that are able to have compassion for the less fortunate and are able to forgive others , the way Baker has, are not the ones that are in need of a psychologist .
August 24th, 2026 at 3:19 pm
The Baker Bros are really starting to get nervous. They’re definitely, already sweating. Literally, their WORST NIGHTMARE is playing-out in real-time.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:20 pm
Baker is all talk
August 24th, 2026 at 3:20 pm
People forget that there was a bidding war for Watson…with Carolina and Atlanta in on it reportedly. It’s a shame he didn’t go to one of those teams…especially Atlanta. They could have had the Mike Vick fiasco all over again.
Eventually all the revenge game and chip on the shoulder stuff needs to turn into consistent, clutch play if you want the big money + longer term contract. I guess we’ll find out shortly.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:23 pm
Well MJ that would be a feat indeed !!! But before Trask could get in , Young , Pickett and King would all have to go down,,in fact Trask isn’t even listed on the Panther Depth Chart ,, but if they all come down w the Flu or something ,, then Trask is In!!!!!
August 24th, 2026 at 3:23 pm
Rod Munch Says:
“Here’s the numbers this preseason numbers so far…
Watson, 162 yards passing, 59.3% completion rate, passer rating of 61.0
Mayfield, 10 yards passing, 50.0% completion rate, passer rating of 56.3
Meanwhile,
Daniels, 182 yards passing, 65.5% completion rate, passer rating of 94.3 – not to mention all the production that Daniels has had on the ground.
Pretty clear who is the best of the bunch here, and it shows why the Bucs stopped negotiating with Baker.”
Daniels against 3rd strings and camp meat. Mayfield would pick those guys apart too.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:24 pm
Superbowl or bust with Mayfield!
August 24th, 2026 at 3:26 pm
“I bet Baker doesn’t have anything against Watson personally. Watson’s already beat into the ground, probably deservedly so. Baker’s not the type to pile on someone’s misery.”
Yea, yea, yea. Baker is still chasing the payday Watson got from Cleveland while Baker was still there. Lashed out recently over the mention of his name along with Kevin Stefanski, about Stefanski when it wasn’t Stefanski talking about him.
Baker is human, for better and worst just like the rest of us.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:28 pm
To be fair Munch we should use Daniels last real game which was against UTAH,, 10-27 187 yards , 1 TD and 3 picks,, the bullets were live and so were the picks
August 24th, 2026 at 3:33 pm
Volatility? I’ve never heard Baker totally lose his cool in a presser where he starts yelling uncontrollably at someone trying to get under his skin and then stomps out of the building. He talks so much trash on the field and yet I can’t remember anytime he’s ever received a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. Sounds like a man who can control himself to me.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:36 pm
I’m growing weary of the constant Baker hater’s comments. Why don’t you geniuses provide us with a reasonable replacement for Baker next year? What I mean by reasonable is a potential trade or draft pick that would meet your lofty standards and is not a pie in the sky suggestion.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:37 pm
Lightningvinny1 Says:
August 24th, 2026 at 3:28 pm
To be fair Munch we should use Daniels last real game which was against UTAH,, 10-27 187 yards , 1 TD and 3 picks,, the bullets were live and so were the picks
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Do you have the right guy there? Aren’t those the numbers from when Baker played the Dolphins with the playoffs on the line? Well minus the garbage time stats.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:44 pm
To be fair Munch,, Kansas was 5-6 and in that game against the UTES a post season Bowl Game was on the line , 6-6 would have qualified and the kid froze in the big spot ,,,, if he had only won that game things would be different , maybe a second or third round pick in the draft , money like you wouldn’t believe ,, Damn UTES
August 24th, 2026 at 3:44 pm
Winny Testaverde Says:
August 24th, 2026 at 3:20 pm
People forget that there was a bidding war for Watson…with Carolina and Atlanta in on it reportedly. It’s a shame he didn’t go to one of those teams…especially Atlanta. They could have had the Mike Vick fiasco all over again.
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Atlanta thought they had him, I remember for some reasoning listening to some sports talk out of Atlanta and they were all energized about getting him, before it fell through.
At the same time, however, people need to keep in mind that there was a reason that there was a bidding war for him. Watson was pretty dang awesome in Houston, before being shipped off to Cleveland. Not sure if it was ever revealed if the Texans had the inside info and knew all the behind the scenes stuff or not – but in case they refused to give a fully guaranteed deal like the Browns gave Watson, which is the reason he was trying to force a trade.
When Watson went to Cleveland, that offense was even in worse shape than when Baker left, and didn’t do anything to restock their offense. I have a feeling if Watson went to a team with a good line, and some good WR’s, he’d suddenly start looking like the Watson who got that huge contract. With Monken there now, and finally getting some WRs (albeit rookie ones), it wouldn’t be out of the question that Watson has a good year. Not saying for sure that will happen, I just won’t be surprised if it does. But in any case, he’ll obviously never live up to his contract or the price they paid to get him.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:48 pm
Can we all agree that most of us would have gladly taken the 240 million cash money! It wasn’t a Watson mess up, it was a Cleveland mess up! Plus the 3 firsts that were all high picks ,, Worst trade of all time?? Thoughts
August 24th, 2026 at 3:49 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
August 24th, 2026 at 2:19 pm
-Yawn-
Better make sure he does his best against ATL too or that meeting at midfield post-game will have the potential to be really weird.
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BINGO!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
August 24th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Lightningvinny1 – I said the day we signed Daniels as a UDFA, after watching his tape, that I had no idea how he didn’t get drafted. He’s a good running QB, has a really good arm and throws an NFL fastball, and he’s not too small either. From the scouting reports they said he’s very up and down, which is why I guess teams shied away from him. But I was happy that finally the Bucs actually signed a legit NFL prospect instead of getting the stiffs like they normally do, who clearly will never have an NFL career. I also said Daniels, on the day we signed him, had already surpassed Ballzsack on the depth chart, and that certainly turned out to be the case.
We’ll see if Daniels ever does anything, but he’s got an arm, he’s got mobility, and his accuracy has been pretty good in the limited time we’ve seen him. He needs snaps in practice, like any rookie QB, but he could very well end up having a long NFL career. In fact the guy I said he reminded me of on draft day was Josh Johnson, who is somehow still playing after 18-years. Not saying Daniels will do that, but just with the speed and arm and style of play, Daniels has a good chance to stick in the NFL for a long time.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:54 pm
I’m just busting , I want the kid to do well, even if it’s a quality back up, Have we ever had a quality back up in our history ? Glennon maybe ,, so yea this would be a nice treat
August 24th, 2026 at 3:57 pm
Lightningvinny1 Says:
August 24th, 2026 at 3:48 pm
Can we all agree that most of us would have gladly taken the 240 million cash money! It wasn’t a Watson mess up, it was a Cleveland mess up! Plus the 3 firsts that were all high picks ,, Worst trade of all time?? Thoughts
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The Bucs trading the #2 pick in the draft for Chris Chandler I still think is worse.
I mean a 1st rounder for a guy who thrown for 2100 yards over 2 years, and 10 TDs vs 15 INTs over that span, and back to back years of a 67.2 and 63.4 passer rating.
At least Watson was a stud player. Chandler was literally brought in as a backup, for a 1st round pick that ended up being #2 in the draft.
August 24th, 2026 at 4:14 pm
The scary scenario is that Baker’s first game after leaving Cleveland was against the Browns. He led Carolina back from a big deficit to put Panthers up with about a minute to play. The Panthers defense collapsed and the Browns won with a 50-yard field goal. That was when the evaluation of the trade was up in the air and tensions were really high. At this point in time, there’s little doubt about the folly of the Browns decision; and the results of one game won’t really change that. Besides, by the second week Watson may not be the starting quarterback, given that the only franchise quarterback in the neo- Browns history is now the franchise quarterback of the Bucs.
August 24th, 2026 at 4:31 pm
Is it me, or are there others on this site who are sick of all the Baker Haters already? Guys, it’s pre-season! LOL…
August 24th, 2026 at 4:39 pm
Trade Baker to Cleveland mid season.
August 24th, 2026 at 4:41 pm
No running QB has ever stuck around very long Rod.
August 24th, 2026 at 4:42 pm
@Wyoming Joe – I’m sick of them but it’s truthfully only one or two people using multiple burner accounts. Some of them post back to back within a minute of each other, one uses two Seinfeld references, etc.
August 24th, 2026 at 5:02 pm
Rod Munch Says:
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The Bucs trading the #2 pick in the draft for Chris Chandler I still think is worse.
I mean a 1st rounder for a guy who thrown for 2100 yards over 2 years, and 10 TDs vs 15 INTs over that span, and back to back years of …
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Hot Rod taking us back 35 years of so…I like it. Crystal Chandelier was a bit of a punk on the Bucs…caused problems and sure didn’t stick around long.
The Colts…another bumbling franchise at the time…botched the 1st pick (that they had for being awful) on Steve Entman. They then picked Q. Coryatt with the Bucs pick. Had a decent but not standout career.
Bucs did a lot of those types of moves back in the 80ms and early 90’s…trading for QB Jack Thompson aka The Throwin’ Samoan as well. He was worse than Chandler.
August 24th, 2026 at 5:12 pm
I have been telling friends that he will be signed by the Jacksonville game. They cannot let this go on! The man is a Franchise quarterback with no one better out there available! Give him the money and light a fire in that locker room. There is a chance they have something this year. If they dangle the money, he will sign!
August 24th, 2026 at 6:02 pm
That article was basically “two turnips walk into a bar, so that’s why a zebra can climb a tree”
One has nothing to do with the other. Word salad.
August 24th, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Why would he be mad at Cleveland?
He ran his mouth and ran himself out of town. He’s a NFL pariah. He lost most of his endorsements and was a backup QB. The Bucs seriously bailed him out.
August 24th, 2026 at 6:20 pm
Daniels replacing Mayfield as starting QB is ridiculous. Daniel’s being kept on the roster and learning under Baker to be the eventual number two, I like it. And then maybe he eventually becomes the number one down the road sometime. Who knows
Though I was pleasantly surprised that he had such a good QB rating even though the competition wasn’t all that.
August 24th, 2026 at 6:32 pm
@ SlyPirate – Exactly, right. HE demanded DAK MONEY. He completely discounts his size, and being a distraction, and the type of “leader” (selfish) that MOST coaches and teams, just do NOT prefer as being THE LEADER (or type of QB) leading THEIR TEAM… And, all of that together, gives them (a very good reason) to pause for cause. AND, he never learns. He’s STUPID and Bull-Headed. Cause, it’s exactly what he did HERE, during his most recent negotiations. So, in a nutshell… He didn’t get his little way, and exactly what HE WANTED. So, he pouted and cried about it just like the immature little CHILD, that HE IS. He’s got little short man’s disease. A weak insecure ego. He is HIS OWN worst enemy. Dan Patrick talked about it FOR MONTHS. Why can’t he just settle for $25-$28-MIL, instead of thinking that HE HAS TO “reset the QB-market!?” You know, somewhere in the middle!? THEN, Dak got his deal, and it even complicated things further. And, HE EXPECTED EVEN MORE. Long Story Short… Bet he wished he’d just kept his cool and worked with the TEAM. Or, you’d think. But, maybe NOT… Since, look at WHO you are dealing with. A really, unstable individual. Which only continues to add to everything else, that HURTS HIM. And, then he acts dumbfounded, that everyone ELSE is to blame. Like, he can’t figure it out. Or, something… STILL. All I do know is we don’t need the drama HERE. Hopefully, it has at least started to run it’s course.
August 24th, 2026 at 6:34 pm
Winny Testaverde Says:
Bucs did a lot of those types of moves back in the 80ms and early 90’s…trading for QB Jack Thompson aka The Throwin’ Samoan as well. He was worse than Chandler.
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It is amazing how the Bucs just threw around 1st rounders back then.
At the same time, it’s also amazing to think the Bucs had Steve Young at QB and then drafted Bo Jackson – and a year later didn’t have either player on the roster. To think of what that pairing could have done together.
As for Chandler, the thing that made no sense was the lack of production of Chandler, and the fact he was literally brought in as a backup – the idea wasn’t to make him the starter, just to push Testaverde. Even as a kid I thought it was a really stupid trade – and the Colts botching the pick doesn’t let the Bucs off the hook.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:13 pm
Yeah, when barely HALF of my posts actually POST. Not even close to 50% today. No worries. I get the hint. I’m OUT.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:35 pm
The Brown’s owner is desperate to prove he was right all along by starting Watson.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:56 pm
If the game were in Cleveland, I would say the Browns owners were trying to gin up the gate.
August 24th, 2026 at 9:49 pm
Reading about the Bucs from the best fan website in all of sports, JoeBucsFan.com, is a gift.
This is the best deal going. Get fired up!
GO BUCS! Beat them all, with the best owners, coach, GM and wear the creamsicles doing it.
August 24th, 2026 at 9:56 pm
@MelvinJunior – number one cause for getting moderated I have found is by being on networks you haven’t been on before or for a while.
August 24th, 2026 at 10:07 pm
Definitely can make some easy money that game take the Bucs to win and over on Baker passing yards and TDs and rushing yards no matter what Vegas sets those numbers at. Baker coming for blood
August 24th, 2026 at 10:27 pm
Thank you for the kind words! 🙂
August 24th, 2026 at 11:51 pm
Got tickets for that game. I think the offense is going to light them up. And I really hope Bain, Yaya, etc. light up Watson.
August 25th, 2026 at 2:01 am
SC Bucs Fan Says:
August 24th, 2026 at 2:23 pm
I am quite sure Mayfield cares nothing about who is starting for the Browns in week 2
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Obviously, you don’t know much about Baker. He makes no secret of the fact that he takes receipts!
August 25th, 2026 at 2:04 am
admin Says:
August 24th, 2026 at 10:27 pm
Reading about the Bucs from the best fan website in all of sports, JoeBucsFan.com, is a gift.
Thank you for the kind words! 🙂
——————————————————————————————-I freaking agree. Joe brings together the Bucs family and there’s none like it. We get in squabbles, like brothers do, but if you’re ever on a game day thread you know there’s a singular purpose. WIN! Joe, you should have an event where the family can get together and meet each other in person. Everyone would have to wear a Bucs jersey with their JBF name on it.
August 25th, 2026 at 2:06 am
Its a lot of us Joe. On that week we should buy out a section of the stadium and it should become an annual event. Perhaps the first or last game
August 25th, 2026 at 2:07 am
You brought this family together Joe. Lets use it to help our guys!!
August 25th, 2026 at 6:56 am
I would offer police protection to any massage parlor near the stadium, Browns hotel or the airport.