Baker Mayfield: Bucs Are A Team Of “Savages”
September 5th, 2026
So Baker Mayfield was talking again and he recycled a Todd Bowles theme from 15 months ago.
“We gotta have a killer instinct and we got to try to blow people out and try to win the division instead of it going to the last week,” Bowles said in April of 2025.
Joe was across from Bowles when he went there at the NFL annual meeting. Joe followed up and asked Bowles how he can develop a “killer instinct” in a veteran club.
“It’s not a coach thing,” Bowles said.
“They can hear me talk every day, all day up there on the stage, but when they start talking to each other and holding each other accountable from a vocal standpoint, whether that’s tough love or whether that’s kind love, either way, it gets across. And how we get our point across and how we approach games is important. You develop that through the spring and the summer from a chemistry standpoint — to making sure you’re getting your point across to having [more competition] in training camp or doing little things like that to help [players] along.”
Well, the Bucs and Bowles obviously failed at the whole “killer instinct” thing last year. The team wilted against bad teams. Bowles said it was needed and the Bucs couldn’t find it.
And, if further evidence is required, Bowles himself just said new roster additions cracking a whip this spring and summer is the “biggest change” for Tampa Bay.
Enter Baker Mayfield. He agrees with Bowles, per his chat with Tampa Bay’s twice-weekly community newspaper that lives behind a paywall, the Tampa Bay Times.
Mayfield says it’s a team with a killer instinct that has been lacking the past few seasons.
“I could tell that from the spring with the new additions that we had, whether it was the draft picks, some of the undrafted free agents and the free-agent signings,” Mayfield said. “The culture, the guys they brought in just for the attitude and mindset. I think, for me, that was probably the most important thing. “This is a really good opportunity for us to write our own story and for it to be just about winning, and how do we get that done? We got the right fit of guys to have truly a group of savages out there. It’s an aggressive unit. We need to have that killer instinct.”
However, the Bucs are returning at least 16 starters. A lot of dudes in that bunch must up their games to a “savage” level if the Bucs hope to be a January force.
September 5th, 2026 at 1:50 pm
Bucs Are A Team Of “Savages”
Yeah, that’s what they are…..
LMFAO
September 5th, 2026 at 1:55 pm
I can’t wait for this team to prove the negative crybaby fans wrong 🔝
September 5th, 2026 at 1:58 pm
Savages.
September 5th, 2026 at 1:59 pm
time will tell……
the hpye and hopeium machine running full throttle, lets revist this conversation in the 3rd week of october
September 5th, 2026 at 2:00 pm
Oh. My. God. Just STFU already, would ya! PLEASE. GTFO Geeeez.
September 5th, 2026 at 2:00 pm
He agrees with Bowles, per his chat with Tampa Bay’s twice-weekly community newspaper that lives behind a paywall, the Tampa Bay Times.
————
Wait, the St Pete Times now only publishes twice a week? LOL! I had no idea. What a stupid paper. The Tampa Trib was always the better paper – had a vastly superior sports section, that is for certain.
September 5th, 2026 at 2:01 pm
SimmerdownGeorge logged on to type:
“LMFAO”
You just can’t get that kind of useful football banter and knowledge just any where. Boy George sure knows her football.
Anyhow, with the additions of Robinson, Bain, Trotter, Scott and Mohammed and Gainwell, I can see a much needed refreshed energy and attitude. Mix in some vets like Baker, Wirfs, Godwin, Tyler, Bucky, Emeka .this team has the talent and good mix of players do be a good team and by November the defense has a chance to be really good.
Let’s get this thing rolling!
September 5th, 2026 at 2:04 pm
I really hope this is a team with that killer instinct…buuuut…… hitory has shown us these last 4 years something diferent. I’m just like St. Thomas, need to see to believe
September 5th, 2026 at 2:07 pm
It’s not a coach thing, Bowles said. Yeah, it’s a coach thing. Jeez, take some responsibility.
September 5th, 2026 at 2:08 pm
Wonder when Baker’s new Sonic Drive-Inn commercial will first air!? I just saw Bijan’s during the Kentucky Game.
September 5th, 2026 at 2:23 pm
Fanofdabucs Says:
“this team has the talent and good mix of players do be a good team and by November the defense has a chance to be really good.”
Zero chance of any of that happening. Bowles will ensure failure.
Really looking forward to bathing in the Pom Pom squads tears.
2026 is a dumpster fire. 2-15
September 5th, 2026 at 2:43 pm
Just saw-it. Pretty lame. Regardless, I don’t care… As long as it’s the LAST ONE, until AFTER the season is OVER. Just focus on the RIGHT things. NO distractions. He STILL, just doesn’t get-it. Or, just doesn’t care (I’m going with this one). Teammates are NOT buyin-it! It’s an insult. You say one-thing, but then it’s ok FOR “YOU” to do the exact opposite. TOTAL Commitment. ALL-IN. Uh, Yah… Ohhhkaaaay!
September 5th, 2026 at 2:43 pm
To be fair, 10 of those 16 returners are starters on offense. Defense is where you really need to be savage. More than half the defense has turned over, hopefully with nothing but savages as replacements.
September 5th, 2026 at 2:49 pm
Baker doing a whole lotta talking – hope it’s not just a bunch of updog.
Nothing much what’s up with you?
Sorry for the fishdoo
Swim 😉
September 5th, 2026 at 2:51 pm
Hope springs eternal in early September, but let’s hope he’s right! The mid-season swoons are getting really tiring and the collapse last year was just brutal after that start.
September 5th, 2026 at 2:52 pm
That HUGE sound you’ll hear Sunday afternoon will be this ridiculous hype machine crashing HARD into the ground with Cincinnati putting up 31+ points and 450+ yards.
September 5th, 2026 at 3:25 pm
Kayla Says:
September 5th, 2026 at 2:52 pm
That HUGE sound you’ll hear Sunday afternoon will be this ridiculous hype machine crashing HARD into the ground with Cincinnati putting up 31+ points and 450+ yards.
———-
What’s with all the Ohio trash lately?
BTW, when is the last time Cincinnati won a Super Bowl?
Oh right, they never have one a Super Bowl. LOL!
And neither has that other Ohio trash team, the Browns.
But if there was an award for setting your rivers on fire, Cleveland would be the world champ!
September 5th, 2026 at 3:53 pm
#99 The Big Fella Says:
September 5th, 2026 at 1:55 pm
I can’t wait for this team to prove the negative crybaby fans wrong 🔝
——————————
Hallelujah my brother 💪🏼🏈
September 5th, 2026 at 4:10 pm
Blah blah blah blah blah!! Show us!!
September 5th, 2026 at 4:13 pm
Motivation has +got to be+ a “coach thing.” Since when is motivation not part of leadership?!? If the coach isn’t directly motivating his players (which seems bizarre), then at a minimum he needs to be make sure his assistant coaches and team captains get it done. I’m no football guru, and I’ve got no skin in the love/hate Bowles debate, but his position on this seems strictly nuts.
September 5th, 2026 at 4:20 pm
MelvinJunior Says:
September 5th, 2026 at 2:08 pm
Wonder when Baker’s new Sonic Drive-Inn commercial will first air!? I just saw Bijan’s during the Kentucky Game.
Didn’t you know Baker is no longer a hot commodity? The advertisers don’t want to spend their dollars on a player on a 2-16 team
September 5th, 2026 at 4:53 pm
Rod Munch..👍
September 5th, 2026 at 5:40 pm
No it’s not a coach thing cause none of the coach’s step on the field. I’ve said it many times from youth football up the coach’s tell the players what they have to do in certain circumstances. The coach is a teacher, not a damn hypnotist. These guys are in the NFL, if they can’t be motivated beyond a paycheck then they will and should be gone. It should be a matter of pride, don’t you have it in your work? You have it in your team and that’s what it boils down to on the field, you have to want it more, every play. You’re going to have off days for sure tell me when the last coach was that made a game changing sack, int, field goal, goal line stand TFL, etc. Stop blaming the coach for the players lack of sackledge.
September 5th, 2026 at 5:45 pm
Baker was talking about the defense, but I want the OL to get nasty and dominate defenses. Our OL seems like a bunch of nice technicians instead of nasty Ryan Jenson types.
September 5th, 2026 at 5:47 pm
Sorry, Ryan, it’s spelled Jensen.
September 5th, 2026 at 6:15 pm
NaNaNa HoHoHo….He will go down in the first 3 real games….like a savage….Bwaaaahahaha mod love it. This comment was hazardous to your fake narrative….2-15
September 5th, 2026 at 6:16 pm
Melvin the mods will get you for the defeatism.
September 5th, 2026 at 6:22 pm
No your not you’re a bunch of pu$$#es from the top down
September 5th, 2026 at 6:34 pm
@ Ballwasher61 – Sorry, but that is just NOT REALITY. Go tell that to Ben Johnson, Shawn Payton, Rick Pitino, Nick Saban, and the THOUSANDS of other EXTREMELY STRONG and BIG ‘motivational type’ of HC’s. People AND Players, NEED to be Coached Up AND Motivated.
My Baker ‘commercial’ follow-up comment never posted for some reason!? I guess, because I’m the ONLY ONE on here, STILL being censored. I guess, never poke fun at Ira and T-Krass acting as if they’ve never been on a NFL sideline before (when obviously they have HUNDREDS of times before, and EVERYONE knows it)… AND, never disagree vigorously, about EE and Bucky NOT being “ELITE.” Otherwise, I’ve always posted the same CRAP for YEARS… With the very worst maybe, calling someone STUPID, IDIOT, MORON, WEAK, or REAL DUMB Comment.
September 5th, 2026 at 7:03 pm
Ballwasher: I’m not saying it’s only coach and no players, but it can’t be only players and no coach.
September 5th, 2026 at 7:06 pm
Bucs winn Burrow the china doll gets injured again…
September 5th, 2026 at 7:36 pm
I don’t seet he problem with a player saying g positive things about his team.
September 5th, 2026 at 7:56 pm
Summer of George
Why are you even on this website. You’re rooting for the bucs to be horrible so you can talk crap in comment section. I would come on her and post nudes everyday and eat crow all day long for the bucs to go 12-5 this year. And you’re rooting for them to be horrible so you can say I told you so in a comment section. Something is seriously wrong with you. Participation trophies have ruined a generation. Can you say narcissist
September 5th, 2026 at 7:57 pm
No one in our secondary or LBs can cover Chase, Higgins, or Brown.
Our inept pass rush for the last several years better get home. Otherwise, it will be a long day.
September 5th, 2026 at 8:02 pm
BiggyZ that goes for every team!
September 5th, 2026 at 8:03 pm
Ill take mayfield with chase, Higgins all day
September 5th, 2026 at 8:34 pm
Love the addition to the defense. Deff was needed a few years ago but hey better late than never right. Also I’m loving all the hype only time will tell if it all works out. I know most are concerned with the defense and it’s well deserved but when Bowles has the right talent he defense isn’t as bad as it has bin. 19 20 and 21 the defense was respectable since it’s bin more like laughable. I’m more concerned with the offense. There’s a lot of talent there I believe more than the 24 Bucs with coen as OC yea we lost Evans but we gained several others who by committee will replace him. The new OC has got to get the offense racking up the points
September 5th, 2026 at 10:07 pm
@melvin
“Oh. My. God. Just STFU already, would ya! PLEASE. GTFO Geeeez.”
oh the irony.
September 5th, 2026 at 10:32 pm
OK Bake, we are Savages. The problem is, 31 other teams believe they have savages too. And some of them do. I love the NFL. You are what your record says you are. But don’t say too much just yet, Bake. The games are coming. We shall see what we have. Who knows, Baker might be right. I hope so for his and Todd Bowles sake.
September 5th, 2026 at 10:40 pm
if SVD is playing and have weak cornerbacks still, it’s not a bunch of
savages.
September 5th, 2026 at 10:50 pm
Jeffbuc—
He’s here so people like you will pay him attention. Never understood the mindset, but some would rather be referred to in a negative connotation than not be mentioned at all. Seems a little off to me, but happiness comes in strange ways for some folks.
Mikebuc(must be Xxxbuc night)—
Disagreeing with Junior is your prerogative, but where’s the irony? What did he post that was ironic?
September 5th, 2026 at 11:12 pm
Meh.
5-12 and I hope I’m wrong but…
September 5th, 2026 at 11:30 pm
As long as Baker doesn’t throw interceptions we’ll be fine. That was the killer last year.
September 5th, 2026 at 11:50 pm
Rod –
Off topic, but just for the record, the Times publishes online every day; it is just the dead-tree version that goes out Wednesday (Publix insists that their circulars be hard-copy, I guess) and Sunday.