“He’s Going To Go Off”
August 2nd, 2026
Smiles thinking how Baker Mayfield will torch defenses.
Don’t get Cody Mauch started.
Mauch is one of the coolest guys in the Bucs’ locker room. If he was a big partier, Joe is convinced he might be one of the most popular Bucs since Mike Alstott.
(Alstott was a legend when he was young, living and partying in St. Petersburg and hanging at the beach bars in south Pinellas. Joe saw with his own eyes, and heard plenty of stories too, of Alstott prowling watering holes in St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island.)
Alstott was — and is — a man of the people.
Joe can’t claim to have ever seen Mauch upset. But you could see Mauch’s body language last week turn to a big frown when he was asked about Baker Mayfield’s contract hassles.
Make no mistake, Mauch said, smiling again, Mayfield will take out his contract frustrations on opposing defenses.
“He’s going to go off,” Mauch said, flashing that trademark grin of his.
Also, don’t ask Mauch if Mayfield is a franchise quarterback.
“I mean, 100 percent he’s a franchise quarterback,” Mauch said. “He for sure is, and it sucks to see him go through this and whatnot.
“But it’s not gonna change his mentality, the way he plays. He’s just going to go and play ball. So [Mayfield’s contract hassle is] unfortunate, but I mean, he’s going to go ball out, and it’s going to get made right.”
So is the contract hassle going public, distracting the Bucs? Nonsense, Mauch said.
“It’s not a distraction on anyone else.”
Mauch and his fellow offensive linemen love Mayfield because he has their backs. Mauch was asked for his reaction when he heard Mayfield said the Bucs’ offensive line is a top-three line.
“It’s great to have him trust us just as much,” Mauch said. “We trust him more than anything back there too. I think we play well when we’re together – I would absolutely say that.”
Mauch also said Mayfield covers for one of the offensive linemen if they get burned.
“If one of us gets beat, ‘Bake’ is going to go make some plays back there,’ Mauch said. “It means a lot that ‘Bake’ has that much faith in us. [We’ve] just got to go out and keep getting better now – top three turning into the best offensive line in the league here.”
So Mayfield isn’t just a franchise quarterback, isn’t just the Bucs quarterback; he’s also the offensive line’s quarterback. And they have his back on and off the field.
August 2nd, 2026 at 2:49 am
That’s because he treats them to dinner all the time! 🤣🤣🤣
August 2nd, 2026 at 3:56 am
Eyes are more on the defense.
August 2nd, 2026 at 5:11 am
I Do like that his o line takes it personally. An attack or difficulty on one is an afront on ALL, and WILL BE met in kind.
If you mess with Mayfield, you just woke the sleeping Giants.. I wouldn’t mind our o line being ranked number ONE around the league this year. We could use some Great News like that to counter balance weak points.
August 2nd, 2026 at 5:50 am
How does he know what a franchise quarterback is . He’s only had Mayfield.
August 2nd, 2026 at 5:57 am
Watching Mayfield all these years, it’s always the same story. He hangs with the OLineman. He doesn’t hang out with the skill guys much, and he’s usually cantankerous towards the defense.
Mayfield may not have the best judgement- but he’s smart as a whip.
August 2nd, 2026 at 7:04 am
DrunkinYbor, two questions:
If that’s the case, it kind of negates anyone commenting here at JBF. Unless someone is a mystery NFL vet, none of us have been an OL for an NFL qb.
and….
Have we met? LOL
August 2nd, 2026 at 7:25 am
Cody is in his prime now, hope we can keep him next year
August 2nd, 2026 at 7:29 am
Wonder how Cody will feel about Baker when they can’t pay him, because of how much Baker gets. They drafted a guard they like from N.D., would be a cheap alternitive to signing Mauch to a big deal. They let Cappa walk from that same position before. Can’t pay everyone.
August 2nd, 2026 at 7:55 am
Is anyone actually going to remember the offseason drama? Keeps us busy during the summer, but when we take on the Bengals week 1, I’ll bet this is all but forgotten.
August 2nd, 2026 at 8:06 am
Cody is gonna be yet aNOTHER $20 million per year player. I hope we don’t have to let him walk
August 2nd, 2026 at 8:10 am
Cody has a good year, and stays healthy he might end up a cap causality next offseason. Which would stink, because then that’d be a spot on an offense that’s as close to plug n play as we were in 2020 & 2023
August 2nd, 2026 at 8:15 am
Healthy is the key for our Oline
August 2nd, 2026 at 8:19 am
Git er dun!
August 2nd, 2026 at 8:34 am
WBL / Hodad,
That’s a problem for the next HC to solve.
August 2nd, 2026 at 9:00 am
“That’s a problem for the next HC to solve.“
This is a premature assumption, right up there with thinking the franchise tag is a sure thing for Baker. What if they wanted to use it on Mauch or Diaby?
August 2nd, 2026 at 9:19 am
Pissed off, frustrated Mayfield is better for the Bucs than overpaid, media Darling Mayfield
August 2nd, 2026 at 10:18 am
Joe says..
So Mayfield isn’t just a franchise quarterback, isn’t just the Bucs quarterback; he’s also the offensive line’s quarterback. And they have his back on and off the field.
And that is how it should be.
August 2nd, 2026 at 11:10 am
Bring on September!!!
August 2nd, 2026 at 11:16 am
Sounds like the O has it together!!! NOW, if only the D can get it together!!!!! That would be a refreshing change from the last couple seasons!!!
August 2nd, 2026 at 11:54 am
WBL, yes definitely premature. Just being sparky
Breaking out my pom poms, heck what if they win 11 games? No new coach.
August 2nd, 2026 at 12:36 pm
Feels like the team has fully shed the last season debacle. Great news. Just don’t trade VV!
August 2nd, 2026 at 12:54 pm
Enjoy it while it lasts.
I don’t see Baker on the Bucs next year.
You can’t be “the face of the franchise” and disrespect the owners and mgmt publicly.
August 2nd, 2026 at 1:02 pm
Stop pizzing off our O Line. Even they know that a 2-year contract is insulting. Sign Baker immediately.
August 2nd, 2026 at 1:38 pm
The contract negotiation with the Bucs, Mayfield and Vita don’t make much sense. The Glazers love them both. VITA is getting older and Mayfield’s All In play style has the Glazers looking uneasy. They are known to be tight fisted with their money, but if they want a contender this is not looking good for the Glazers. Mayfield is an emotional guy and their strategy with Baker is heading for a cliffhanger. NOT GOOD
August 2nd, 2026 at 6:42 pm
Look how wide Mauch’s shoulders look in that photo! Guy is built like a dump truck. Especially this year! Cannot wait to see all the huge holes he is going to open up in the run game.
August 2nd, 2026 at 7:01 pm
If Baker wins the Super Bowl or even takes us to the NFCCG, the Bucs will certainly re-sign him- or use the franchise tag at least. Baker said he felt undervalued and under appreciated. He also said he already proved himself as a franchise qb. None of those are things the owners should take offense at. That’s for sure, especially since they are true.
August 2nd, 2026 at 8:06 pm
Licht drafts some good Offensive players. This guy is awesome.