“I’m A Baker Mayfield Apologist”
August 14th, 2026
Scott Van Pelt
Already in Year 19 covering the Bucs, Joe still has new and different things pop up.
Scott Van Pelt may have never been referenced here. That’s because Joe doesn’t ever recall Van Pelt discussing the Bucs, unless it was after a Monday Night Football game.
Well, Van Pelt also had a first. He appeared on Mini Kimes’ podcast. And there, Van Pelt talked about the Bucs.
For some, the darlings of the NFC South landfill this year are the slimy Saints. When the Bucs first took over the division in 2020, folks also were in love with the slimy Saints.
Then it was always the Dixie Chicks and Kirk Cousins. Not the Bucs who ruled the NFC South, but the Dixie Chicks.
Hell, Joe was up in the rafters known as the press box at Lincoln’s Tomb near the French Quarter last year and witnessed without a quarterback (Baker Mayfield was clearly less than 100 percent that day) how the Bucs curb-stomped the slimy Saints.
All of a sudden, this team is the second coming of Drew Brees and Sean Payton? Please.
Anyway, Kimes did a countdown of the NFL teams, rankings Nos. 1-32. When she came to No. 18, she gave Van Pelt a choice: Bucs or slimy Saints.
Van Pelt grimaced, crossed his arms and pondered and then gave his answer.
“I’m a Baker Mayfield apologist,” Van Pelt said. And then he gave his reasons why he thinks, in Mayfield’s contract hassle with the Bucs, Mayfield has the Bucs over a barrel.
“Would you pay him? I’m, yeah, I would because what’s your option?” Van Pelt said. “Like, he’s a quarterback. What do you want me to tell you? He’s gonna get paid. It just happens.
“Look at how guys get paid. [Trevor] Lawrence got paid like he’s [Pat] Mahomes. He had won one playoff game. I mean, what are you gonna do? You want to suck?”
In most years, Joe gets what Van Pelt is saying, but not this coming offseason. Let’s say the Bucs stink and miss the playoffs. Joe doesn’t see what the issue is with drafting a stud quarterback expected to be in the draft.
Why not C.J. Carr? Why not Trinidad Chambliss? Why not Julian Sayin? Why not? And with the money you save with a quarterback on a rookie deal, you go out and buy corners and maybe pay Vita Vea.
If the draft was void of quarterback talent, Van Pelt is absolutely correct. But if the Bucs finish, say, 7-10 or 6-11, why would it be impossible to upgrade in the draft?
Still, everything Joe has heard both on and off the record, there is no reasonable expectation Mayfield will not be the Bucs quarterback next fall.
August 14th, 2026 at 9:09 am
I think Mayfield is gone if they don’t tag him. I think Vea is gone. I think the Glazers have a reputation now as penny pinchers and good players will avoid the Bucs. Lost Decade 2.0 is loading.
August 14th, 2026 at 9:13 am
Contract talk reminds me of politics. They’re almost the same thing and I am very fatigued with politics.
I’d rather hear who is playing receiver for us tonight. I imagine our top 3 will be sitting. And since #1 Tez will be sitting out, who should we expect to see on the field?
August 14th, 2026 at 9:14 am
I don’t know which Joe this is, but are you nuts? Nineteen years covering the Bucs—you know, Brady excepted—we’ve never had this kind of QB: one with a high ceiling and high floor, one the fans genuinely love. I like the idea of winning a Super Bowl, but that is rare. You know what I love? Enjoying my regular season games. With the exception of the second half of last season, we have been in every game and won some remarkable games.
You want to get back on the carousel and bring in another “stud” like Winston or the parade of failed “stud” QBs we’ve cycled through, one after another. We have a stud. We should ride out the next five years and focus on building a defense that gives up ten points a game.
I love this team. I love this QB. Give your axe-grinding a rest. Please.
August 14th, 2026 at 9:24 am
Baker should have been MVP last season. He was robbed.
August 14th, 2026 at 9:25 am
Definately admit, it feels like the Bucs are returning to the Yucs. Don’t pay your qb althought you have no one behind him as we will see Fri night. I don’t know about you but I have little faith in Browning. They won’t give Vea a raise while saying they are in on the Bucs making a run this year. However, they can’t give Vea some money and a one year extention. Maybe they need to watch their own video Raise The Flags, as it looks like they are trying to repeat some not so good history to me.
August 14th, 2026 at 9:28 am
“Why not C.J. Carr? Why not Trinidad Chambliss? Why not Julian Sayin? Why not?”
_________________________
Because the miss rate on first round QB’s is notoriously high league-wide.
Because the last time the Bucs had the pick of the litter, the options were Jameis and Mariota, and both of those turned out to be the next coming of Tom Brady. Clearly.
Because the Bucs have never been able to develop a QB in its 50+ year history not named Doug Williams, and even that guy got the shaft because Culverhouse was a notorious racist and skinflint.
There are plenty of good reasons. I know Joe knows this because Joe has actually stated as much in the podcast within the last several months. Knowing that Joe knows that I know that Joe knows that everybody in the chats and throughout the Krewe knows that Joe knows… we also know and understand that Joe’s simply taking a Devil’s Advocate approach here so we won’t hold it against you.
August 14th, 2026 at 9:31 am
Don’t worry, by Saturday afternoon the comments will be filled with “Get rid of Baker. Did you see Jalon Daniel’s last night?”
August 14th, 2026 at 9:42 am
“Don’t pay your qb althought you have no one behind him as we will see Fri night.”
Serious question…do some of yall have brain defects? Hes getting paid $40 million this season after helping his team miss the playoffs and some “fans” act as if its a crime against humanity. He has no leverage and he’s so valuable no team wants to trade for him.
There are so many Bucs fans OK with the Bucs being mediocre in the worst division in football. I mean they’re scared to death to even try to find a better option. Lol…
What did Arians say when Winston wanted $50+ million annually? “Hell yeah, we can win with another QB!” And thats what he did. He wasn’t satisfied with LOSING.
Too many people would rather lose year after year than take a risk to win it all. I bet those same ppl are stuck in a rut in real life. Desperately clinging to average because the unknown is too scary for them. Loser mentality.
August 14th, 2026 at 9:43 am
@thomas is right
I love watching every game. And only 1/32 win the Super Bowl.
I love the idea of Baker for 5 more years. Let him retire a Buccaneer.
99% of the fans love him. He fights like no other.
We have the offense. We just need a killer defense like the Seahawks.
What’s the old saying, “offense wins games. Defense wins Championships?”
I want to build the craziest deepest front 7 in the NFL.
I want a defense that would make Sapp proud.
Go Bucs!
August 14th, 2026 at 9:46 am
Are you serious? Do you want to be Tennessee? Carolina? Jets? Falcons? Mayfield definitely can win a Super Bowl…if surrounded by talent. He wants to be here. The real fan base loves him. You have to be blind to not see how banged up he was the last ten games last year. Go back and look at the tape of the Seattle game last year or the first two games. If Mayfield goes, you lose the heart.
August 14th, 2026 at 9:54 am
i’d rather see whats behind door #2
GO BUCS!!!!
August 14th, 2026 at 9:59 am
I think the glazers and Licht were hoping to have their cake and eat it too. Pay baker 2 more years at 50 million a year while drafting a new qb in the 2027 draft to train behind baker who gets kicked to the curb in 2028. I like baker but he needs a good OC, Oline, run game, and those cost money. If he does well this year I suspect the glazers will still try to low ball him and give him 2-3 years only. Some team will pay baker 50+ million a year for 4 years because as bad as some think baker is, there are those that see he was 10th in yards and 7th in TDs which is better than 2/3s of QBs.
August 14th, 2026 at 9:59 am
Hmm. Let’s see. A proven veteran who plays hard. Won the Heisman. Was a number 1 pick.
Or some hick rookie.
Yeah. How did that go with Vinny Testaverde, Shaun King and Trent Dilfer?
They have won two SBs with QBs they did not draft.
And by the way, how many SB wins do Burrow and Allen and Herbert have? Lamar Jackson? Daniels? The girl in Jax?
Stop acting like the draft is an equal answer to re-signing Mayfield.
August 14th, 2026 at 10:02 am
Bee. “He’s so valuable that no team wants to trade for him”. That is false.
“There are so many Bucs fans OK with being mediocre in the worst division in football”. That is false.
“Too many people would rather lose year after year than take a risk to win it all”. That is false.
“I bet those same people are stuck in a rut in real life”. That is false.
“the unknown is too scary for them”. That is false.
“Do some of you all have brain defects?” That is true.
August 14th, 2026 at 10:06 am
The Bucs are not going to go 6-11 or 7-10 unless there’s a huge number of catastrophic injuries again. They won’t be in range to draft any of the “stud” qb’s and nobody knows how good they will be either. Why risk it? It’s an incredibly naive viewpoint and puts the team in a potentially terrible situation again like it was with Winston.
August 14th, 2026 at 10:16 am
If the Bucs draft anyone I want TC what he did at Ole Miss last season was Amazing an he should only get Better reminds me of Baker let me be clear id Rather pay Baker 1st But if you cant an things don’t work out this year
August 14th, 2026 at 10:27 am
It’s because SVP doesn’t know even the first thing about the Bucs. Doesn’t watch or follow them. Does. Not. Care. And, that is why he spews a bunch of EMPTY comments about Baker Mayfield. Hell, he’s just another ‘one of those’ who constantly parrots how “great” JL is. SERIOUSLY. It’s about the ONLY thing HE ever has to say about the Bucs. So I mean, come on… BE REAL.
August 14th, 2026 at 10:27 am
Have Van Pelt and Fire Marshal Bill ever been seen in the same room?
August 14th, 2026 at 10:28 am
Look, Baker will be fine, AND WE’LL be fine. We got some dogs on D now, so only Todd can screw this up (hope he doesnt). Im betting the over on us next time i hit the casino….we’re probably making the playoffs…and the over yards for Jeremiyah Love.
Pay Baker somewhere in the 50’s now 3-4 years, or it will be in the 60’s later.
And draft Mestemaker!
SCREENSHOT THIS!
August 14th, 2026 at 10:42 am
Perhaps, but when you hit…
And if you never draft a quarterback in the first round, you will never hit on one in the first round.
And no, Joe doesn’t believe in trying to copy a once-a-generation accident like Joe Montana, Tom Brady or Brock Purdy or Russell Wilson. Since you are playing the odds, what’s the odds on that?
(And those later-round accidents all had elite coaching.)
August 14th, 2026 at 10:52 am
813bucboi Says:
August 14th, 2026 at 9:54 am
i’d rather see whats behind door #2
********************
Another stellar post by 813. Let’s see- -Door #2, could that be a tad worse than Door #1 or a whole lot worse. Want Penix? I suspect most of the fans here appreciate what Baker has done in his time with the Bucs. They beat several Really good teams early last year including the SB Champs. Later some problems. Could that have been because of injuries to Baker and others. Or could the defense quit and forced late comebacks that the opponents defense is geared up to defend and can afford taking chances on ints since they have the lead. 813, your post is stupid!
August 14th, 2026 at 11:01 am
I’m all for drafting a QB…but I also want to re-sign Mayfield. Give him a 4 year contract, half guaranteed. Bucs would have a year develop their new guy and then they can release Mayfield.
Or…take trade offers.
But a drafted QB is a huge risk, while Mayfield is right on the verge of big success, I believe. Drafting a QB is a good story source, but could also lead to 5 years of losing.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:04 am
I would rather roll with Daniels over any of those other unproven rookie QB’s next year, if we choose to go cheap at QB.
At least Daniels had prevented that he has done game and enough arm strength and talent to potentially succeed as an NFL QB. And our OC (and possible HC next year if Bowles gets canned) loves him and says he has one of the strongest arms he’s ever been around.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:24 am
The draft is a crap shoot.
Joe just posted about 3 high picks who have done little to nothing in the league. Kyler Murray, Josh Rosen, JJ McCarthy… I could add 12 more to the list from the last 6 drafts.
I would love to upgrade from Baker… hitting on a rookie QB picking 10th or worse seems like winning the power ball type odds.
I agree with Van Pelt here.
August 14th, 2026 at 12:17 pm
What did Arians say when Winston wanted $50+ million annually? “Hell yeah, we can win with another QB!” And thats what he did. He wasn’t satisfied with LOSING.
_________
I think JayMiss was axing fo 35 million, not 50.
Check yo sheet man.
August 14th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
A few words in praise of mediocrity. If, last season, the defense had been merely mediocre and the special teams had been even close to mediocrity and the offensive line had been populated with mediocrities, Baker would have led the team to at least ten wins, despite all his injuries.
August 14th, 2026 at 12:42 pm
“ Because the Bucs have never been able to develop a QB in its 50+ year history not named Doug Williams”
Let’s be honest. Doug Williams was not that great. Definitely overrated. A good quarterback, but face it – there were always some other variables involved in judging a QB back in that era.
August 14th, 2026 at 12:45 pm
HOW QUICKLY WE FORGET …
Just a few years ago Baker was a journeyman. He was fired as a starter and then he was fired from his backup roles. The Bucs gave him a chance. They had a great OL and a loaded roster.
So, where can we get another QB like Baker? How do we find another backup QB to be our starter? It’s not hard.
Licht is keeping the offense loaded, the OL solid, and building a defense. The best 52 win. Not the best QB. TB12 actually knew that as well. Paying Baker less means more talent on the team.
August 14th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
kit kat needs to go before baker does. its that simple. one has proven himself to the bucs. the other is kit kat.
August 14th, 2026 at 12:59 pm
“And if you never draft a quarterback in the first round, you will never hit on one in the first round.”
25 of the 32 starting QBs last season were first round picks.
From 2019 to now:
’19-Kyler Murray & Daniel Jones
’20-Burrow, Tua, Herbert, & Love
’21-Lawerence, Zac Wilson, Trey Lance, Mac Jones & Justin Fields
’22-Kenny Pickett(lol)
’23-Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, & Anthony Richardson
’24-Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Penix, McCarthy & Bo Nix
’25-Cam Ward & Jaxson Dart
’26-Mendoza & Ty Simpson
Now, none of the QB classes these guys were in were as talented as the ’27 QB class is expected to be and seeing how the college season has yet to start, there’s likely to be new additions to crop of QBs that’s very talent rich.
Drafting a QB would only be a younger, fresher option, but also a MUCH cheaper option while also having a relatively cheap and talented WR corp. Also, the NFL is as close schemtically to the college game, that QBs translate a little bit faster in the current era of the game. We also don’t have a ton of projected draft “needs” on offense next offseason. So we could take maybe WR & OT off the first round priority list and absolutely take a QB we like enough to come in and compete. With whom, will be totally up to how the current QB performs with our current offense.
August 14th, 2026 at 1:12 pm
I’m sorry, Sly, but when Baker came to the Bucs, they were sliding downhill fast from the SB peak, even with a GOAT for QB. Preseason, they were projected to win 3-4 games, with Baker thought to be a “journeyman.” In retrospect, he has proven to be a top-5 quarterback for two franchises, a franchise quarterback for both, interrupted by a year recovering from injury and insult. One year toiling for varied organizations does not make one a journeyman. A journeyman is someone transitioning from being an apprentice to becoming a master by working under a variety of masters to expand and perfect his craft. In this sense, Baker is a journeyman because he has learned from a number of coaches and coordinators (sadly, not all were masters). Should he move on from the Bucs as a free agent (master), then we could properly call him a journeyman during his TB years.
August 14th, 2026 at 1:47 pm
I Glazers are probably telling Licht we only paid Brady 25 mil and won a Superbowl and this guy wants 50 mil plus come on Jason we didn’t even make the playoffs last year. Got a point.