Baker Mayfield Is Battling An Illness
September 23rd, 2026
Is it a Browns infection? The dreaded 0-2 virus?
Joe’s not quite sure what’s wrong with Baker Mayfield.
The Bucs told assembled media this afternoon that the Bucs’ franchise quarterback is battling an illness and, therefore, his typical Wednesday news conference would be bumped to Thursday.
Mayfield went completed practice today.
Regardless, Joe hopes Mayfield is feeling better soon. During his Buccaneers Radio Network show on Monday, Mayfield sounded like a guy who might be getting sick, or getting over something.
September 23rd, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Pink eye from the browns im sure
September 23rd, 2026 at 2:55 pm
Makes sense….def looked awful sunday.
September 23rd, 2026 at 2:55 pm
Oh no, does he have the dengue fever?
September 23rd, 2026 at 2:55 pm
We’re all ill Baker.
September 23rd, 2026 at 2:56 pm
This explains Sunday… Baker wasn’t healthy.
But just wait guys, when Baker gets healthy, everything will be different. Just keep waiting, it’s worth it, you’ll see!
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:01 pm
This is for the naive and most gullible amongst us, lol
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:02 pm
Buc1987 Says:
September 23rd, 2026 at 2:55 pm
We’re all ill Baker.
———————
LOL! Yes we certainly are!
Of course he is ill, hurt, just not right. Baker is and has always been an average QB at best. Over the past calendar year (thank you Munch), he has been not good. I’m about done with Baker but we’re stuck very unfortunately. I’ve been done with no answers Bowles. At least we can fire him.
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:03 pm
Rod Munch exactly! Still waiting for Vea to get over his back injury. Don’t forget Anzalone, I think he has a broke ankle, maybe 2.
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:04 pm
Baker sick Reuben hurt Bowles brain injury
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:04 pm
If he is not 100% start the rookie.
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:04 pm
BS!!!!!!!
Aint $hit wrong with Baker….
GO BUCS!!!!!
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:04 pm
at least it’s not a Jaxson Dart situation – “Trick or Treat” Famous Jameis should be an interesting watch – Vikings have Murray but could go to Wentz or even McCarthy if necessary – we’ll see what the Bucs D does with a rusty Kyler
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:07 pm
hopefully he doesn’t have what kristaps porzingis has…
because that never seems to go away and can seemingly last for years…
shake off the ball crust baker……..as tom brady might say – powder up son – and get out there…
don’t be shook of the new version purple people eaters…
run for your life if necessary, but tuck the f’in ball away real good
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:08 pm
lol………………everyone’s sniffing out the bs
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:08 pm
Gullible are the ones who keep making excuses for todd…stfu already jeeze!
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:10 pm
I heard it was a bad case of turnover fever.
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:14 pm
Loss this game and the response to every article should be – “who cares”!
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:15 pm
Let’s be honest the players know the losing skid they had last year. They are starting off the same way this year. It is not what you say it is what you do. The Cleveland game showed the team is not ready physically or mentally it is that simple. If they are not ready this week they will get their head handed to them on a platter. Minn has a great defense and now plenty of confidence. I am sure Murray wants to keep his job so he will be ready. Will the Bucs be ready. If last year is a continuation they won’t, so what we will know is if this team will keep talking or playing. It is pretty simple. No sense talking playoffs. At the moment this is not anything close to a playoff team. Currently they are near the bottom of the league.
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:15 pm
3 more years of Baker Todd. 3 more years!
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:16 pm
Too easy..crap the fielditis
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:18 pm
“MadMax Says:
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:08 pm
Gullible are the ones who keep making excuses for todd…stfu already jeeze”
LMAO, sawft
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:18 pm
Yeah I’d be sick too after losing to a team I circled on the calendar and got outplayed by Deshuan Watson
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:21 pm
So the coaches call up a perfect play, put Baker in position to win the game with an easy pass on 4th and goal on the last drive … and Baker misses the throw that every NFL QB is expected to make 100 out of 100 times. Heck, every middle school QB is expected to make that throw the vast majority of the time.
If the coaches are doing their job, if everyone else on the field are doing their jobs, and it’s just one guy blowing the game in clutch moments, how is that on the coaching?
Go read the articles, go watch the film yourself, guys were open all day long – and Baker refused to throw the ball, and when he did throw the ball down the field he was incredibly inaccurate.
The team is getting killed by two guys – and they’re not Bowles and Zac, they’re Baker and Analzone.
BUT, Baker at least has an excuse. He’s obviously not healthy. But when he gets healthy, everything will be different. Analzone meanwhile, he’s just a terrible player.
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:24 pm
Analzone has pretty hair Rod.
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:24 pm
He’s suffering from a Severe case of Fumbilitis
And he has been for years, it comes and goes
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:25 pm
Pre-game Taylor Farms salad?! Too soon?!
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:26 pm
Buc1987 Says:
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:24 pm
Analzone has pretty hair Rod.
———-
That is a great point.
Fun fact, I too have long flowing locks, but Analzone, now he’s got some beautiful hair that makes me envious. That’s probably why I hate on him so much – I’m jelly of that hair… well that and he sucks.
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:28 pm
Agreed on Anzalone! The dude has missed more tackles than he’s made. Another game like the first two will have fans clamoring for the greatness that is Dennis!
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:34 pm
Baker MADE the throw to win the game on third down. He shouldn’t have needed to even throw a fourth down. Our receivers need to CATCH THE FOOTBALL. They are paid to do that too. Of course our receiver was interfered with for about 10 yards and the officials mystically missed that and yet were capable of calling Barton on another mystical holding penalty where there was no evidence whatsoever of any holding either. Why does nobody bring up the officials? They literally cost us that game. And I haven’t seen anyone complain about that yet. Chances are that interference included hooking the receiver’s left arm which meant he only had his right arm to catch the football. The side judge should have seen that. He was right there!
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:38 pm
Nothing was easy about that pass in the driving rain ,,, ask Hurst ,, so far 2 out of conference losses (granted the Browns were one of them ) beat the Vikings and things turn around ,,, lose,,, go on the March for Arch!
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:39 pm
The officials stinks with their bad calls
But, I’m sorry, Baker stinks more with his bad play
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:39 pm
Stpetematt Says:
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:34 pm
Baker MADE the throw to win the game on third down. He shouldn’t have needed to even throw a fourth down.
——–
He made a great throw on 3rd down, had great placement, but the issue is the pass was heavily contested on a wet field – and the defender clearly was committing pass interference. that’s a catch that is made maybe 5-10% of the time. Has nothing to do with placement, it has to do with he defender committing defensive pass interference, and it just being a very difficult stretch. People think because Mike Evans makes that play, that everyone is supposed to make that play. There’s a reason Evans is a first ballot HOF’er, and it’s because he makes that catch. Saying every play is supposed to play like a first ballot HOF’er in their 2nd game in the NFL is flat out dumb.
Additionally your point is that Baker made can make a difficult throw, then completely miss a much easier throw. Yeah, that’s what I’ve been saying for years – he’s completely inconsistent, and that’s why he’s not, and has never been, a franchise QB. Thanks for helping to make my point, Baker Boi.
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:41 pm
thor clearly left his lightning bolt in detroit rock city…
it makes me feel uptight on a saturday night
Get up!
Everybody’s gonna move their feet
Get down!
Everybody’s gonna leave their seat
You gotta lose your mind in Detroit Rock City
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:43 pm
He should just take the weekend off and get himself back to being 💯 fully rested and up to speed. That’s all he needs, and then he’ll be just fine. Then, everyone will get to see the REAL Lamar Baker in action.
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:44 pm
Sit him down I’ve seen enough.
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:52 pm
This fanbase was predicting a blowout win for the Bucs
The game should never have come down to the wire
Didn’t Baker Bum circled this game on his calendar?
Is it this bad for the Bucs
That they have to come from behind against CLEVELAND at home?
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:53 pm
Baker is who we thought he was, in my Dennis Green voice. He will have stretches where he looks like a HOFamer, then other stretches where he looks as bad if not worse than Americas QB Famous Jameis.
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:56 pm
So we have excuses on both sides of the ball. Baker is sick and Bain has a groin injury. Next excuses.
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:58 pm
“Bucsfanman Says:
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:28 pm
Agreed on Anzalone! The dude has missed more tackles than he’s made. Another game like the first two will have fans clamoring for the greatness that is Dennis!“
Can’t be any worse, hell we might have to call Devin at this point and see what he’s up to, lol
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:59 pm
Bakers got a bad case of mediocrity.
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:01 pm
Fumblitus?
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:01 pm
Got the Interception Flu
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:02 pm
Daniels.
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:03 pm
I am telling you, Baker has a bad case of PTSD.
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:09 pm
The next 3 games are all losses no matter what happens injury or illness wise.
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:10 pm
@ StPeteMatt says: “Why does nobody bring up the officials? They literally cost us that game. And I haven’t seen anyone complain about that yet.”
Because, it never should’ve been THAT CLOSE to begin with, and left in the hands of the officials, where they were even ALLOWED to play a part… Nor for you to be dependent on having to get a call, and being bailed-out. Especially, with having this (LoL) “LOADED” Roster and all. Lmao. Calls were missed both ways, throughout the game… Cleveland had the BETTER TEAM.
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:15 pm
Munchesindiscriminately.
Football fans can look at that 5% catchable ball that only Mike Evans would have caught. Ted Hurst would have caught it 95% of the time. High school receivers would have caught that elite ball placement 90% of the time.
The pass to Egbuka was a beautiful pass thrown to a spot. Emeka wasn’t at the spot. The rain affected that, and it may be that Emeka, missing almost all of training camp, isn’t quite up to speed.
Never mind that, physical mistakes don’t normally get you beat. It’s like DR says, you normally beat yourself.
Like when you have the absolutely unforgivable mental brain leak that lets a tight end go uncovered and then untouched into the end zone from 20 yards out with 3 minutes to play.
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:21 pm
Baker got himself a lady of the night and caught the clap.
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:24 pm
Kenton Smith Says:
Football fans can look at that 5% catchable ball that only Mike Evans would have caught. Ted Hurst would have caught it 95% of the time. High school receivers would have caught that elite ball placement 90% of the time.
The pass to Egbuka was a beautiful pass thrown to a spot. Emeka wasn’t at the spot. The rain affected that, and it may be that Emeka, missing almost all of training camp, isn’t quite up to speed.
———-
So a heavily contested sideline endzone play on a wet field is supposed to be caught 95% of the time by high school players… and then on 4th down Baker threw a perfect pass but e2 was to blame for running the wrong route. Meanwhile Baker literally said, “I needed to get more air under the ball on that throw,” but what does Baker know – he’s such a great guy he’s just taking the heat for everyone else, right?
Yeah, nothing wrong with Baker, he’s still the MVP! It’s just that everyone is against him – they want him to fail! They’re jealous of his fame and money and hot wife, they all want to see him fall on his face because they can’t take his greatness and how it makes them feel so tiny! Baker is the GOAT and no one will ever prove otherwise! He’s better than Brady – you know Baker has the NFL’s all time highest passer rating in the playoffs – even if he also has a losing record and choked in the 4th quarter of his last two playoff games, he’s still the best QB of ALL-TIME in the playoffs!
LOL!
Don’t ever change Baker Boi(s), we need a good laugh at times like this.
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:24 pm
He’s sick sit him out. Kyler Murray and the Vikings will stomp you so bad. We think your faking Mayfield Aka Mr no accountability for your mistakes.
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:25 pm
You have about 25% of the QB’s in the league, who CAN’T PLAY. You have about 25% (of starters) who are truly “ELITE,” who you would not flinch or think twice, about PAYING… They are true LEADERS (of a franchise, and of men). Then, you have the other 50% where things get dicey, and their play is determined mostly, by MANY different factors. The problem being, after 8-YEARS, the Bucs should’ve already KNOWN “WHO” THEY HAD. In a nutshell, you have just SCREWED YOURSELF, by paying TOP $$$$ for mediocre. Especially, beaten up and banged up, undersized and AGING, “MEDIOCRE.” Though, I do not fault most franchises for extending their YOUNG QB’s fresh off of their ‘rookie-level’ deals, when they DRAFTED THEM, and for whatever reasons, had just not yet had a large enough ‘sample-size’ to have made the most informed decision. You are just in a bad spot there when that happens, and you just really can’t afford to LOSE HIM. Especially, when you’re seeing huge TALENT, and progress. You basically, have no other choice. In most circumstances. But, absolutely NOT with a 31-YEAR OLD, beaten down JOURNEYMAN. 💯 I mean, you’d THINK you’d be smarter than THAT.
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:28 pm
Yes that was mind blowing and completely Winfield’s fault- of all people. We don’t know if Egbuka cut at the correct angle in the end zone. If he had cut sharper he would have caught the ball. No clue. I’m sure the coaches know.
The reason we didn’t score a boatload more points in the first half is we stopped converting third downs at or near the red zone. That nonsense needs to stop. There’s combined culpability there including Baker who tried to run at least twice when he had an open receiver for a first down. If the O-line protected him better I think the happy feet would stop. They need to be doing a much better job and so does Baker. He’s fully capable of it, but it’s time to really knuckle down now and deliver the ball on time where the defense dictates it should go.
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:29 pm
“MelvinJunior Says:
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:43 pm
He should just take the weekend off and get himself back to being 💯 fully rested and up to speed. That’s all he needs, and then he’ll be just fine. Then, everyone will get to see the REAL Lamar Baker in action.“
Lamar Baker 🤣😅
That up there with Johnny Fooseball
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:30 pm
I heard Baker say he needed to get more air under that ball, Rod. And I immediately knew he was being facetious, and was saying that for effect!
Leave it to Rod Munchesdayandnight to not know that!
Baker said that so Emeka would hear it. Anymore air on that ball is picked in the NFL. Emeka didn’t get to his spot, Rod. It’s a football thing.
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:31 pm
Dude, the ball hit Hurst right in the chest. It couldn’t have been placed better if Baker handed it to him. It was an absolutely brilliant pass. And I’ll bet Hurst tells you he catches that 99/100 times.
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:39 pm
@Stpetematt and Rod ^^^^^^
perfect throw…a dot…a dime…a potential game winner
yes hurst would say he should have caught it, if asked
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:40 pm
rod bro………..i can’t get over it…..i can’t let it go lol 🙂
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:42 pm
Start Jalon Daniels this week!
I guarantee he would be better than what we’ve got from Mayfield the 1st 2weeks.
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:44 pm
I was trying to point out how inconsistent Baker Bum has been
Before l was interrupted by a Baker groupie
Baker has played 56 total games for us, including the playoffs
He’s had 4 different offensive coordinators
And he’s been an inconsistent passer with every one of them
In 2023 with Dave Canales as his OC
He had 6 games with less than 200 yards passing
In 2024 with Liam Coen as his OC
He had 6 games with less than 200 yards passing
In 2025 with Josh Grizzard as his OC
He had 9 games with less than 200 yards passing
In 2026 with Zac Robinson as his OC
He’s had 2 games with less than 200 yards passing
In the 56 games he’s played with the Bucs
41% of his games, he had less than 200 yards passing
He’s not a good passer, he’s not a consistent passer
I believe he sees certain looks from the defense, and wanna run
With Winston and Brady, they would light it up, regardless of the defense
This is why l don’t understand why Licht keep drafting WRs
When we don’t have a consistent passing QB, a decent passer
I definitely don’t understand the reason behind,, making him the 3rd highest paid QB
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:54 pm
There is a distinct pattern of players having a horrible game and then Bowles coming out and saying they’re sick, they’re injured, they’re having their mensies.
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:56 pm
Dunno if it’s true, but it might be, and it would be at least a partial explanation. Nobody plays great when they’re sick…except Jordan (39 points in the NBA finals on an IV: hoorah!).
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:56 pm
He has the case of 120 millionitis.
September 23rd, 2026 at 4:58 pm
Mayfield has contracted Bucsucitus. It usually flares up in August and lingers until the 1st of the year. Then it clears up and starts creeping back around in June every year.
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:00 pm
So glad we got ourselves an elite backup for when Baker goes down. Oh, wait a minute…
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:09 pm
Please let it be career ending
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:11 pm
This should just be called we don’t really know much about football but boy do we hate Baker Mayfield day after day after day. The same refrain.
There is plenty of blame to go around on the coaches, team, management and defense for these loses. Baker is the QB so his poor play is a big part of it for sure. But to pin the blame for this mess of a franchise on one player is either a refusal to face the facts or simply a repetitive rant.
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:26 pm
We don’t need an elite QB to pass for 200 yards a game
Not in this pass happy league
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:31 pm
Dear Lakeland,
A low passing yards game might mean we rushed for 250 yards and crushed our opponent. It’s a silly statistic to measure a QB by on its own. A whole season’s worth- yes. Not a singular game. I’ve seen Lamar Jackson throw for like 150 yards and 5 TDs. I’ve also seen Baker throw for 400 and lose. It’s pretty arbitrary especially on a per game basis, Baler had a fabulous season in 2024 yet your stat would seem to say otherwise. He’s also tied for most TD passes since 2023. I noticed you didn’t mention that…
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:32 pm
Jamis Winston in NY will win more games than Baker Mayfield will, and for a whole lot less money. Check back in January to see if I’m right.
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:34 pm
Lakeland: That’s an interesting stat, thanks. I just checked Gemini and apparently 39% of all QB’s who played full games since 2023 passed for < 200 yards. That would make Baker almost exactly average, all else being equal.
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:34 pm
@ Lakeland Says: “In 2023 with Dave Canales as his OC
He had 6 games with less than 200 yards passing”
Couldn’t move the ball. Couldn’t sustain drives. Couldn’t score. Their RedZone Offense was HORRIBLE. It looked A LOT like last years. Hence, the reason for why about 98% of the Fanbase was literally SCREAMING to give Trask a chance.
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:35 pm
hmm … the latest QB rankings are out on NFL.com – Baker is # 28 just below Deshaun Watson and Jacoby Brissett – happily the 4 QBs ranked below Baker include Cooper Rush, Carson Wentz, and Aaron Rodgers , all of whom the Bucs will face before the bye – unhappily Rush and Wentz are being replaced by Penix and Murray, respectively – I do like Baker’s attitude, blocking for his running backs and always fighting for an extra yard – moxie – he likes a challenge – if the Vikings and Packers prevail over the Bucs I would like to see Baker make history and match the 1992 Chargers in making the playoffs with a 0-4 start – Jason Licht is proving to be a great GM in extending Baker before he became a free agent in the spring and demanded an expensive contract – good job Jason
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:35 pm
Exactly average on that metric, I mean. I’ll let other folks debate its significance, if they’re so inclined. lol
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:36 pm
Stress after gettin the bag.
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:37 pm
@ StPeteMatt Says: “It’s a silly statistic to measure a QB by on its own.”
Yep. It’s why the only thing “I” needed was just MY EYES.
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:39 pm
Instead of practicing he should fly to Cancun and party a few days. Stress is not your friend.
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:43 pm
He averaged over 265 yards/game in 2024.
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:45 pm
TB12 chunked that rock for 14, 643 yards and 108 TDs
In 3 seasons, not counting the playoffs, and he was 45 years old
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:47 pm
Stpetematt
But, he wasn’t consistent, that’s the complaints we have
Remember, TB12 came to Tampa and raised the bar
Average isn’t good enough
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:47 pm
Diarrhea lettuce like you read about. Very similar to munches takes.
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:48 pm
Mayfield has Ben off target with what looks like happy feet, but this offensive line needs to get him some time to throw! A big game from Egbuka or Godwin or even McMillan could right his confidence I believe. Play calling is a big part of the problem also but, for the last two years they will get into the red zone and always settle for field goals. I believe they can right the ship! Not so sure about Anzalonethough. Go Bucs!
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:48 pm
Analzone! I can’t stop laughing.
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:48 pm
That’s like at Lakeland High School
We haven’t had a losing season in 50 years
It don’t matter about what happens, there’s no excuses
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:58 pm
They are just letting everyone know when the bucs loose this week it was because baker was sick but reality is if that’s the case he has been sick his whole pitiful career.
Rod munch you have became the biggest baker fan of all last couple of years you couldn’t stand him, what changed it isn’t his winning percentage
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:59 pm
I’m sick of hearing about 2024 that’s the only season people talks about wich was his best season and he still lead the league in turnovers. It’s 2026 now and he got his money no more excuses.
September 23rd, 2026 at 6:03 pm
Perfect…. BM6 is sick so Todd Bowles has his next excuse! The king of excuses will throw that one out very early!!