Bucky Irving: Special Culture = Baker Mayfield
August 18th, 2026
Interesting answer to what was not a Baker Mayfield question.
At One Buc Palace, Bucs officials and players love to praise the team’s strong, positive culture. How that meshes with the collapse of last season and captains currently unhappy with their contracts is unclear.
That said, Bucky Irving is a huge believer in the Bucs’ culture.
During his recent visit to the 4th And South podcast, co-host Jarvis Landry asked Irving what makes the One Buc Palace locker room special. It didn’t take Irving long to say it’s very much about Mayfield.
“The brotherhood, bro. Like the quarterback, that’s one of my best friends,” Irving said. “He had me since I got in here. I go over his house. I kick it. I get body work. I’m cool with his wife. I’m cool with his daughter. I’m cool with his family, his brothers and all that. But just being able to know at the end of the day them the guys that you’re going to war with.”
Irving added that Mayfield’s “door is always open.”
Joe hopes Mayfield can keep staying all-in at all times for all his teammates.
That might not be easy when December rolls around if an unsigned Mayfield is wondering where he’ll be playing in a matter of weeks.
August 18th, 2026 at 12:16 am
This is exactly the type of thing that has me ALL IN on BAKER FU***** MAYFIELD. The dude puts up the numbers. He is responsible for wins the shouldn’t have been. He’s got the numbers. He is the ultimate leader in all aspects. A better team will lead to more overall wins. But it starts with BUCCANEER BAKER! Cmon Jason, just get it done.
August 18th, 2026 at 12:23 am
Well this shows that Bucky is an intelligent individual. He is not going to bad mouth anyone on the team and of course he is going to say all is well in Tampa, but is it?.
Bucky probably learned form his ex-teammate Rachaad White what not to say when asked about anyone on the team as White truthfully told the world that Bowles had no business calling plays last season and I do think that hurt White’s FA value as he signed for a very low salary with DC despite being a decent player when he was allowed to carry the ball for Tampa. The fact that White spoke up on the way out the door tells me the team culture was not all that good last year with the O floundering and Bowles’ D not getting a stop on 3rd and 28.
Personally I think Bucky might benefit from being in a RB 1a/1b situation with Gainwell by sharing the rock and not getting beaten down like he was last season. Like Todd Wright, I am interested in drafting Gainwell in a later round.
August 18th, 2026 at 6:55 am
The book.on baker is to keep him guessing and wondering whether he has,a contract or roster spot so he works harder. Yes, and it backfired in Cleveland where a lack of an extension caused him to play through an injury. That hurt him but the team more as,you can see the,Browns are worse off than Baker is.
August 18th, 2026 at 7:44 am
If we can keep everyone healthy, we should have a good season. I think Baker will have better protection/ time this year.
August 18th, 2026 at 7:59 am
ok so Buckys is the biggest endorsement yet to pay Baker. that’s super cool that he is close friends with those guys.
August 18th, 2026 at 8:00 am
I think it’s pretty clear if Todd is coaching next year he will want Baker. And the only way Todd stays is if the team is successful.
So around December Baker should have a better understanding of his place here. Not saying a new coach would kick him to the curb, but it would definitely be a little more dicey.
August 18th, 2026 at 8:02 am
if he takes us deep in the playoffs give him the extension
August 18th, 2026 at 8:03 am
Yeah he’s not going to be un professional. Good for him.
But sometimes it has to be difficult to give the company line given he knows that we have eyes and ears. When the best offensive player in team history thinks an aging roster in San Fran playing against the world champs and lambs four times a year is the better shot for a deep playoff run, and the defensive exercising want to play football Halloween, the culture line doesn’t square.
August 18th, 2026 at 8:16 am
With Bucky having his first major injury last year, it got in his head. It seems that Baker supported Bucky by having him come over and hang out. Good on Baker.
August 18th, 2026 at 8:48 am
Nice story. Does not make Baker a $50M QB. Baker may have helped win some games but also lost some.
Old Buc fans remember the line about Vinny – “he keeps both teams in the game”
NFC Championship or later if Baker wants to be a top tier guy.
August 18th, 2026 at 9:03 am
Evans left because I believe he felt the organization is incompetent. He saw them go all in with Brady and it worked. Then in 2025 he watched as they did nothing to bolster the defense and the depth on the offensive line via free agency so when the injury bug hit , the team collapsed. This year Licht has continued to draft well and they did sign a few defensive players to fill holes but they are just stop-gap. Why sign Robinson and Roches? They could have used some of that money to sign Vea. If a team is all in they would do both.
As far as Bowles is concerned, why go into a season with a coach whose seat is already warm? That’s another recipe for failure. Either believe he is your man or don’t. They should have seen enough in 4 years to know one way or the other. Same with Baker. You either believe in them or you don’t. Seems very indecisive to me. Indecision never leads to success. That’s why Mike left IMO. He went to a team that has a stable philosophy and plan year after year.
August 18th, 2026 at 9:04 am
sounds like Bucky being a good team mate…much like Barton when asked about Vita
GO BUCS!!!!
August 18th, 2026 at 10:07 am
It makes Mayfield a player you want in your locker room,hes a company man 24-7 ..Sets the tone ..An honorable guy playing his contract out.The way he plays, that make him the “top tier guy” ..He bleeds pewter does everything he can to win..Never quits
August 18th, 2026 at 12:02 pm
Funny thing, they’ll say that about the next starting QB.
August 18th, 2026 at 4:44 pm
2-7 finish against some tanking and bad teams shows
BAD LEADERSHIP