Baker Mayfield Talks Culture Shift, As*hole Josiah Trotter
September 1st, 2026
There was all kinds of crowing a year ago about how great the Bucs’ culture was.
Joe didn’t realize “soft” was a part of that.
Maybe the Bucs didn’t realize how soft they were. That’s possible. Joe’s been on teams and seen teams that thought they had it all figured out but then came apart at the seams.
That was the Bucs last season. Consecutive losses to the Saints, Falcons and Panthers were an abomination, followed by a quitter-like effort against the tanking Dolphins.
So change was needed and it wasn’t just players, says Baker Mayfield. He talked to the Green Light podcast several days ago at One Buc Palace for an episode that published yesterday.
Mayfield talked about the additions to the defense’s front-7 and saved his fondest affection for rookie second-round pick Josiah Trotter.
“Trotter, we needed a guy like that. He’s an as*hole and I love it,” Mayfield said.
After talking about free agent defensive tackles A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nuñez-Roches, and how “nasty” Calijah Kancey is when healthy, Mayfield said the team is significantly different.
“Improvement up front with the players and also just culture-wise, they’re not going to take any sh*t. We needed that,” Mayfield said.
Joe hears this stuff and can’t help but think of Lavonte David and how so many people raved about how David successfully led the defense and forged its identity.
September 1st, 2026 at 7:51 am
Joe … ‘Joe hears this stuff and can’t help but think of Lavonte David and how so many people raved about how David successfully led the defense and forged its identity.’
It’d be hard to argue that the 2020 & 2021 defenses weren’t solid (both Top-10). And LVD was surely one of the leaders on that defense (along with Suh & JPP especially IMO).
Time passes us all by though. No question in my mind that LVD stayed a year too long.
September 1st, 2026 at 8:00 am
The same with Derrick Brooks. He could barely walk never mind run in his final year or even two. When you can no longer do things that used to come naturally to you, then you tend to give up. The organization kept both these players long after their prime.
September 1st, 2026 at 8:04 am
Yes, when I hear talking heads say “How will the Bucs handle losing Hall of Fame WR Mike Evans and HOF LB Lavonte David this year” all I can think is we lost them last year.
September 1st, 2026 at 8:05 am
The front 7 of this defense will be improved…
However the horrendous CB unit will nullify any improvements made to the front 7.
Cool – the Bucs will stop the run but allow 400 yds plus passing per game.
Thanks to our beloved “ROH” GM.
September 1st, 2026 at 8:14 am
I believe what your trying to say is we got “Youngry”
September 1st, 2026 at 8:14 am
I agree with the Drunk fan. Go Bucs
September 1st, 2026 at 8:21 am
But then reality sits in, head ball coach Erckles personality will be a bus kill
September 1st, 2026 at 8:47 am
Joe David was a Great Player but wasn’t a physical leader nor a feared verbal presence …….. We need Nickersons and Sapps !! Trotter is a mixture of both and let’s hope he can play like it !!
September 1st, 2026 at 8:47 am
Unfortunately and sadly agree. It appears the front have improved, but the secondary was bad last year and worse now. Adding Bunting hopefully helps maybe, if he can replace McColumn the secondary may be ok. However with NCColumn it will be receivers running wide open.
September 1st, 2026 at 8:50 am
Licht’s been here for 10 years, he’s just now realizing this? Defense is as soft as Todd’s midsection.
September 1st, 2026 at 9:04 am
DrunkBucsFan: Never thought of it like that. Astute point.
September 1st, 2026 at 9:12 am
Drunkbuc said it
September 1st, 2026 at 9:32 am
Thanks. Third cup of coffee kicking in.
And about our secondary, not saying I am excited about it. But I don’t think it’s really any worse than last year. Dean is a good CB, when he plays. But just because he was the best one here doesn’t make him Top 10.
September 1st, 2026 at 9:33 am
Two attitude-changers, in Buccaneers’ history came to mind reading that article.
Hardy Nickerson.
Warren Sapp.
September 1st, 2026 at 9:34 am
go back and watch the game, but I didn’t see them quit against the Dolphins. It’s not like they came out and said I want to lose …they were actually outhustled. The dolphins were psyched up for that game. It looked to me like the Dolphins had more talent which means the Bucs players were just in the toilet that day. Everybody got psyched up to play Tampa for some reason we brought out the best in everyone while we were on an uncontrollable spiral bc of injuries but they didn’t quit they just stunk
September 1st, 2026 at 9:39 am
@ Drunk
Wait until we have just one injury within that CB unit.
Just one.
House of cards amigo…
September 1st, 2026 at 9:39 am
Would be great to have more than one a-hole on offense besides Baker. Brady and Jensen were the tone setters for a few years. Maybe Luke gets scrappy more often.
September 1st, 2026 at 9:42 am
@ Drunk
“all I can think is we lost them last year.”
Exactly right on this one bud…
Addition by subtraction.
September 1st, 2026 at 9:51 am
If the magical “culture” includes blocking and tackling, it will be successful.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:08 am
@Marine,
Your house of cards analogy is accurate. Just saying I don’t think it was really any better last year.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:19 am
The Bucs path to the playoffs is their defense applying constant unrelenting pressure on their opponents. This was how the Bucs won their two Super Bowls.
Baker needs to stay healthy by playing smart and not putting his body in harms way. His ma cho mentality verses live to play another down has been his downfall. Tom Brady used his intelligence (smart play) to live and play another down to a Super Bowl win.
If Baker continues his macho mentality then the Bucs are likely to have another 2025 outcome
with the Bucs looking for another HC and quarterback.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:21 am
The secondary is our weakness, but if we can actually get pressure consistently, that will help.
Not many corners can cover for 4-5 seconds especially when the rules favor the offense.
I think if your getting hits on the QB and make him uncomfortable, it helps the corners.
And that’s a league wide situation.
Give any QB 4-5 seconds in the pocket and a WR is bound to get open.
Either way, I hope for a great season!
LFG!!!
September 1st, 2026 at 10:38 am
They all just THOUGHT their “culture” was so great, because it was COMFORTABLE to them. But, COMFORT does not translate to playing WINNING Football.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:42 am
If the front 7 is as significantly improved as most seem to agree it will be, the secondary will be better by default. The defense has already shown glimpses of that improvement in camp and during the preseason games. The offense is more the mystery at this point. Will the offensive line bounce back from their injury riddled season? Will the young and somewhat inexperienced receivers deliver? Will Zac Robinson enable this offense to hum? Will Baker rebound?
September 1st, 2026 at 11:23 am
The Culture Problem is still at One Buc
Culture filters down.
Gruden fired guys up.
Arians fired guys up.
Bowles is standing at the front of the team every day.
He does not inspire passionate play.
September 1st, 2026 at 11:36 am
I think the secondary will improve with the improvement of the front seven, it seems like Todd may do more press man, which is what I think the DB’s are better suited for with their length
September 1st, 2026 at 12:30 pm
If you’re focused on “culture” by definition, you’re soft.
What is this Google or Facebook?
September 1st, 2026 at 12:39 pm
Jack Pyburn is also a killer.
How the F could anyone choose Fordham over Pyburn?
I am really shocked we chose to keep a 5th MLB over à 6th OLB?
Pyburn and Bain were meant to be together.
I am still shocked we have chosen to keep Feeney over Pyburn.
And we kept Haggard over Pyburn.
And we kept Fordham over Pyburn.
I guarantee he becomes an NFL starter.
September 1st, 2026 at 1:18 pm
It’s because it’s all about their own COMFORT, Teacherman. They don’t know what the hell they’re doing. Not even the FIRST CLUE.
September 1st, 2026 at 2:20 pm
Daily corner..
Have to add Lynch, he didn’t talk much but he carried a big stick. Mike Alstott’s play was also a huge attitude changer.
September 1st, 2026 at 3:11 pm
Marine Buc Says:
September 1st, 2026 at 8:05 am
The front 7 of this defense will be improved…
However the horrendous CB unit will nullify any improvements made to the front 7.
Cool – the Bucs will stop the run but allow 400 yds plus passing per game.
Thanks to our beloved “ROH” GM.
—————————-
The front 7 was/is a big part of our secondary issues bro. Corners can NOT cover, no matter how good they are, for 4-5 seconds or longer. The improvement to our front 7 will improve our CB/safety play.
And who gives a sh#t if we give up 600 yards per game passing if we can hold opponents to field goals instead of TDs. That’s what determines w/l. Browns, Titans, Panthers. Raiders allowed the least yards per game last year
September 1st, 2026 at 7:52 pm
The reaspm those players were kept a year two long is because the organization didn’t prepare to replace them. Who were the Bucs going to replace David with. Already Dennis was falling flat on his face as did Biggers and Devin White. Licht’s crummy drafting was the reason behind it all.
September 1st, 2026 at 9:06 pm
Joe, that last paragraph. Whew.
The legs are the first thing to go. Lavonte’s were gone for awhile before he could bare to leave the game he loves.
Sure couldn’t hold that last year or 2 against him- he was that man, and Tampa Bay still carries the passion for the game that he played with.
September 1st, 2026 at 11:31 pm
everyone has a plan till they get punched in the face. Let’s wait for the season to start benches calling it an upgrade.
I still think our defense is soft. don’t think we need that many receivers. Let’s get another CB and a safety off waivers.
September 1st, 2026 at 11:32 pm
everyone has a plan till they get punched in the face. Let’s wait for the season to start before calling it an upgrade.
I still think our defense is soft. don’t think we need that many receivers. Let’s get another CB and a safety off waivers.
September 1st, 2026 at 11:44 pm
While yes we are thin at CB and Safety too the front 7 getting after the QB will do wonders for the secondary but if we don’t put the QB on his arse it could get bad and honestly there probably be a few games it does. Look outside of John lynch and ronde barber in 02 you had brain Kelly and Dexter Jackson they weren’t the cream of the crop but they had a furious front 7. Not every player in the secondary has to be a champ Bailey sure wouldn’t hurt but Winfield gets back to his all pro self watch out. Smith just keeps getting better Zyon before last season has bin good. Parrish is developing nicely Morrison is in the tub lol SMB was part of the gravediggers and is back with 1 leg lol he will be fine tho just gotta stay healthy and get after the QB