Buyer’s Remorse?
September 23rd, 2026
Struggling.
When you get paid the big bucks, fans expect big Bucs wins. Not hot trash like last Sunday against the worst team in the league with the worst quarterback.
So everybody and their brother seems to have an opinion on why Baker Mayfield is struggling. Some blame offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Some blame the absence of Mike Evans.
Fair or not, with significant Team Glazer loot comes certain expectations. And Mayfield isn’t remotely close to meeting them through the first two weeks of the season.
All of those questions could be put to bed with a good game this Sunday against the Vikings. Just win, baby.
Ben Solak of ESPN wonders aloud if the Bucs are kicking themselves over the $165 million contract they gave Mayfield, which runs through 2029 (but the guaranteed money runs out after the 2028 season). Solak seems to think Mayfield, for whatever reason, isn’t comfortable yet in Robinson’s offense.
Joe and others have been banging on Robinson for his foolish gameplans, specifically not having Mayfield throw many intermediate passes. It seems all the passes are flips to backs behind the line or deep bombs.
Solak noted film tells him Mayfield is jumpy in the pocket.
There have been receivers open on intermediate routes, Solak noted. But for reasons not quite clear, Solak said Mayfield is pumping or jumping around the pocket and not unloading the ball quickly enough to take advantage.
By the time Mayfield is cutting loose the ball, the receivers are no longer open.
Mayfield is aggressively climbing the pocket despite the fact that there’s plenty of room to stand and throw, and accordingly, he’s too late to get the ball to Godwin by the time he reaches a throwing platform.
Solak highlights several plays like this using All-22 video.
Then, there are unnerving stats Solak posted. Solak doesn’t like making sweeping declarations using only a two-game sample. So Solak used advanced stats on Mayfield going back to the start of 2025. Remember, the first eight games last year Mayfield was having an MVP-like season.
Even with those excellent games factored in, these numbers from Solak will give you the shivers.
Through two weeks, Mayfield is 29th among 32 quarterbacks in EPA per dropback and 27th in success rate. Of course, two-game samples are useless, so let’s add last season. Since the start of 2025, Mayfield is 24th in EPA per dropback and 25th in success rate.
No. 25 in success rate is horrible! (Just a reminder, a successful play is 50 percent of the yards needed for a conversion on first down, 70 percent of yards needed on second down and the full number of yards needed to move the chains on third and fourth downs.)
Whatever is wrong with Mayfield needs to be fixed in a hurry. If the Bucs lose on Sunday to the Vikings, the 2026 campaign will officially be a Season on the Brink.
September 23rd, 2026 at 7:09 am
Receivers were open quick last week quite a few times. He just completely missed it. Beyond frustrating!!
September 23rd, 2026 at 7:14 am
It would be nice if the coaches read this blog. They might get some fresh ideas LOL. Unfortunately they’re just going to keep doing the same old stuff and expecting different results.
September 23rd, 2026 at 7:19 am
Should have traded him. Now Licht has us in cap hell for 2 more years with vea.
September 23rd, 2026 at 7:19 am
So basically he sucks and we’re stuck with him until 2029. We can still bench him though. Going to have the most expensive backup in history here soon.
September 23rd, 2026 at 7:21 am
I read this article 3 times yesterday
And l totally agree with Ben Solak
Also, the most successful QBs in NFL history
Are the QBs that sits in the pocket, go through his reads, does play action
Find the open receiver ( At least one receiver is always open) on every pass play
These Happy Feet QBs are excellent entertainers
The Micheal Vick,Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield types
But they rarely win anything in the NFL
September 23rd, 2026 at 7:21 am
I assume you knew I was referring to fresh ideas from the bloggers not from the Joes. Got a lot of good coaches on this here blog. Have any of you filled out an application? They’re may be an opening real soon.
September 23rd, 2026 at 7:21 am
Baker and Vita both owe the Bucs a refund
September 23rd, 2026 at 7:28 am
Baker’s Cap hit for the ’27 & 28 season is $65.7m. Tell what good HC is going to want this job with that albatross around their neck.
September 23rd, 2026 at 7:35 am
Everything that is pointed out in that article has been posted right here on this very website thousands of times over the last three years. Not only by @Joe but also by normal guys that are sitting on their couch watching the game.
Mayfield is exactly what his record says he is. He is a mid tier, average at best, NFL quarterback.
September 23rd, 2026 at 7:37 am
Did you really think you were gonna get a better baker, vita and cade, by paying them more? They’ve all been in the league numerous years and they are what they are. They’re never gonna take that next step, or they already have done so. I saw it and others too.
September 23rd, 2026 at 7:43 am
In 16 weeks, The Buccaneers will hire a Limited Head Coach to “Fix” Baker MayFumble.
The Bucs could eat the $30 milion dead cap space, and i think 70 million payout to cut Baker MayFumble.
Huge mistake indeed
September 23rd, 2026 at 7:44 am
I think Canales did wonders for his mentality in the pocket and it’s finally worn off
September 23rd, 2026 at 7:44 am
Is it me or has our GM lost his touch a bit?
Let’s look at his off-season FA signings – shall we?
– A.A. – waste of $10M
– A-Rob – waste of $10M
– AQM – waste of $10M
– Gainwell – waste of $7M
Now let’s look at the BIG MONEY re-signings – shall we?
– ZM -below mediocre
– AWJ – where has he been?
– Goedeke – most over-paid RT in the NFL
– Otton – most over-paid TE in the NFL
– Godwin – most over-paid WR in the NFL
– Wirfs – will he ever be healthy again?
– Vea – how does such a fat arse stay so invisible?
– Baker – currently the worst starting QB in the NFL.
Oh ya!
I’m lovin it!!!
Our “ROH” GM needs to be fired out of the port side cannon!
This team is currently a mess…
September 23rd, 2026 at 7:46 am
Only 1 passing TD in 2 games and even that wasn’t a well thrown ball . I believe Barton is playing out of position, might be time to put Bredison back at center. Bowles conservative nature is a momentum killer. Note to Todd, It takes 8 field goals to score 24 points. You got an explosive run from Bucky of 38 yards and you failed to take advantage of it. Get ahead and stay ahead,that’s the ticket.
September 23rd, 2026 at 7:54 am
Hoppy Baker. Cant call him pudge anymore with the John Wilkes Booth diet but although slimmer, his game is even more emaciated. We over paid and were acting like we were forced to do it. Because why? He helped us flush the toilet last year with his leadership? Gtfo.
September 23rd, 2026 at 7:54 am
I think it’s Baker is not comfortable with the way the offense line lines up . Being spread out I believe Baker sees and feels a rush that might not be there . I vote we go back where the line plays close together .
September 23rd, 2026 at 7:59 am
Plenty of time to throw the ball? That doesn’t sound right.
September 23rd, 2026 at 7:59 am
A lot of things can be true at once if your objective.
Fact Baker has had a new OC every year he has been here. The GM inability to keep a OC here has hurt Baker for sure.
Baker is a leader he will make plays to help you win he will have plays were he fumbles or throws a pick because he was trying to do to much.
You can win with Baker but you need a good team around him he is more than a game manager but is not a true franchise Qb either. You overplayed him badly. Should have locked him in a few years ago at a reasonable deal.
Teams get out of bad contracts all the time. I’m sure the new coach and new GM will find a trade partner this off season. I expect us to draft a Qb.
Baker era was fun and I will miss watching him play for the Bucs but this is a bad football team that needs to tear it down rebuild it.
September 23rd, 2026 at 8:02 am
Kenton Smith
now go post his completion percentage and tell us about his moxy lol
GO BUCS!!!!!
September 23rd, 2026 at 8:04 am
From the looks of things it seems the Bucs are battling the Browns for that ignominious title of “worst team”. I’m not sure I would the Bucs up as a paragon of great football team. They simply are not. What’s on paper is not worth a spit on the field.
September 23rd, 2026 at 8:04 am
@Joe
More like Team Remorse. 🥺
September 23rd, 2026 at 8:06 am
If the happy feet, indecisive running around checkdown Charlie BS continues, bench him for the Rookie- at least the fans will be entertained and Mayfield will get some TOUGH LOVE instead of the Ass kissing he consistently gets from Bucs organization.
September 23rd, 2026 at 8:07 am
Something is way off with Baker, he makes everything look hard to do. It will come out sooner or later, probably next year, about XYZ, why he looks like Dog poop. Sadly Baker looks nothing like he did with Coen running the offense. So either Baker actually starts playing better, or this team is going to be trash for the forseeable future., this season was on the brink the moment Baker missed badly on his last pass attempt.
September 23rd, 2026 at 8:12 am
The funniest part to me is the money the Glazer’s appear to have literally thrown away on an average, at best, QB. Not to mention an old nose tackle. This talk of playoff probabilities coming into week 3 is pretty silly. If this team somehow wins as many as 6 games this season, it would shock me. The Bucs definitely are not entertaining to watch….quite the opposite. I don’t watch them anymore….just following them on Red Zone is bad enough.
September 23rd, 2026 at 8:22 am
Everybody is gone in January. SMH
September 23rd, 2026 at 8:23 am
Bucs panicked and caved to all the negative press. All they had to do is see how this season played out. Baker and VV totally scammed the franchise and screwed their salary cap for years to come. Licht has never been more than an average GM but had the good fortune of having Brady as a de facto GM for a couple of years.
September 23rd, 2026 at 8:25 am
@ August
Keep in mind – even when L. Coen “ran the offense” Baker Mayfield led the league in turnovers…
I truly do NOT understand why they didn’t make Baker play out his formal deal.
I would have traded Vea…
September 23rd, 2026 at 8:25 am
We had an evidently top-tier O.C in Coen, and had Baker playing at a elite level, and decided to keep Blows and his Vaunted defense instead…That decision will haunt us for years
September 23rd, 2026 at 8:26 am
*former
September 23rd, 2026 at 8:30 am
I believe the entire ship will be emptied this off-season.
The Glazers probably already have a deal with either Tomlin or McDermott in place…
Either of those guys are going to want to bring in their own GM and scouting division.
I would be 100% OK with that.
I have seen enough.
September 23rd, 2026 at 8:32 am
It doesn’t matter about the HC/OC,if you watched Monday night ,even with the all- world Harbaugh and Nagy, Winston still stunk the joint up!!!
September 23rd, 2026 at 8:35 am
McDermott is basically Todd Bowles 2.0 . If you hate the bend don’t break defense that Todd lives by, you aren’t going like mcdermott
September 23rd, 2026 at 8:37 am
And he played against another QB with a pretty BIG contract. I admit that I wanted him to get a new contract. Well the Bucs can have a terrible season but Mayfield can still play up to his contract. 🙁
September 23rd, 2026 at 8:41 am
🤣🤣🤣
All the Glazers had to do was wait but nope, they wanted to pay extra for bad QB play and they got it. This is what happens when you avoid developing your own QB, you try to force something that clearly isnt working. Baker has been and will continue to be terrible. The question is will the owners admit they made a mistake and move on quickly or have another losing season in 27.
Honestly, who’s paying good money in this economy to watch him play live? 🤣🤣🤣
September 23rd, 2026 at 8:54 am
@ Bee
Ouch – that stung a bit…
The Baker Boyz are going to be coming for your hive here soon.
Watch out!
LOL!
September 23rd, 2026 at 8:56 am
My only remorse is that Toilet Bowles is still the coach. We all saw it last season. Mike Evans knew!
September 23rd, 2026 at 8:57 am
Just wondering how much of Mayfield’s contract is guaranteed. I do think the Glazers will make a big slash after this season with Bowles and Mayfield unless the Bucs really turn things around and I mean not just winning 1 playoff game. I think they have to at least play in the NFC championship game and still that may not be enough. This mediocrity has been going on for 3 year or more and has only gotten worst.
September 23rd, 2026 at 8:59 am
Does Joe or anyone have info: about Mayfield’s contract?
September 23rd, 2026 at 9:08 am
All of the stems from the Glazers cowardice. They think any youth move at a key position is a step toward the lost decade and with this idiotic mindset the rest of the NFC South still caught up. Scared of moving on from Vea, scared of losing baker a slightly above the middle of the pack quarterback which is exactly where the Bucs finish in the league every year. The franchise is being run by cowards who only know how to stick with their best players until their knees are about to fall of then completely blow up the team instead of making one big move at a time
September 23rd, 2026 at 9:09 am
Not looking good. Time to support high school football!
September 23rd, 2026 at 9:12 am
Baker Mayfield is making the same amount of money as Josh Allen. Not retired Josh Allen the defensive end, butttttttttttttt Josh Allen, you know the best QB in the NFL from Buffalo! Mayfield’s agent will be getting a lot of new players coming his way after pulling this one off.
At this point we can probably sell more tickets, raise more revenue if we brough back Johnny Manziel to play! Baker has been dropped by how many teams???
Mayfield is tied with Jordan Love, Joe Burrow, Matt Stafford, Josh Allen, Trevor Lawerence has third highest paid QB’s in the league!
September 23rd, 2026 at 9:13 am
@ Aqua
“McDermott is basically Todd Bowles 2.0”
Some say the same about Tomlin…
Who knows.
I just want the Bucs to win one single game – this Sunday.
Just one win guys.
PLEASE!
September 23rd, 2026 at 9:17 am
Even baker carr gets a win and has monster numbers he still us who he is a loser he’s not a winner never was and never will be management really dropped the ball on baker and vita all that money for nothing it just goes to show you those glazer girls don’t know what they are doing
September 23rd, 2026 at 9:19 am
If you take a step back and just reradiate Bowles record of 3&10 since week 8 of last season, u also must remember that is Bakers record as well. He started and finished every one of those games. Not sure how those analytics equal 160mil? Does anyone w/ the Bucs look at this type of shizzzz and say hey lets hold on a second and see how this plays out? They (whoever they is) run this team like a stall at the local flea market?
September 23rd, 2026 at 9:21 am
Send him to Tristan’s psychiatrist.
September 23rd, 2026 at 9:23 am
Whoever would say the same thing about Tomlin as McDermott is a complete idiot that doesn’t get football.
Tomlin field aggressive defenses that attacked the offense. Tomlin had discipline football teams that were always in games. And Tomlin didn’t have Josh Allen.
Bring in Tomlin to clean this mess and field a good defense and disciplined football team.
Use this coming top 3 pick on a franchise QB. Baker isn’t the answer.
September 23rd, 2026 at 9:34 am
Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
The Glazers have next to zero football IQ.
The HC\DC, OC, GM, and QB1 all share the same putrid mindset.
Get the bag, then lay back and make excuses. A pyramid scheme of sorts.
I highly doubt the Glazers even care about on field results anymore.
Their inaction tells me that 2-7 followed by 0-2 is no big deal to them.
September 23rd, 2026 at 9:34 am
Bucs Management did not listen to the good reasoning that was coming from the fans. Let Baker play out this year and then pay him on his performance. Now the Bucs management and Baker can play out their contracts and if the performance is not acceptable, show them the door. Baker is guaranteed for 2027 & 2028. Let him tutor the draft pick or our current No.#2 QB. Then Move on from him. new HC, DC, OC and GM. Let the player know, play to expectation or move on. No if’s and/or Butt’s. If we go 0-4. change HC/DC now. Mike Tomlin has enough time off. I am sure he is ready to come in now to right this sinking ship. Go Bucs and Mike Tomlin a year late.
September 23rd, 2026 at 9:41 am
Hey CosmoKramer
Famu_Rattler says: The Bucs are a Tax Write-off for them. Their Joy is in Soccer with Manchester-United. They could give a S”””t about Bucs…………
September 23rd, 2026 at 9:44 am
Good players look bad on bad teams. Way it goes. We have seen what Baker can do with good coaching. Needs a HC who can motivate and keep him accountable just like other players on the roster.
September 23rd, 2026 at 9:44 am
The most concerning issue which makes me so disappointed is the lack of dawg attitude which we thought came with the newcomers. Without attitude and commitment your chances of winning in this league are zero. Nothing is given to you in the NFL.
We need to find another Arians. It all starts from the top.
September 23rd, 2026 at 9:47 am
these last 10 games I’ve realized Baker is closer to Jameis than Brady.
He is the reason we’ve are 0-2. If he’s playing to the level of his pay the bucs are 2-0 despite our incompetent HC/DC
September 23rd, 2026 at 9:50 am
Tomlin has a contract with NBC.
September 23rd, 2026 at 9:55 am
Smart guy Licht let the contracts fester.
Guess what? It was a distraction.
That’s the price they pay for being tough guys.
Bad coach. Distracted players. Retread assistant coaches. Retread vets. And lazy existing players who are too afraid to tackle. That’s right. These defenders are afraid to tackle.
September 23rd, 2026 at 9:57 am
Manning. Mahomes. Brady. Rodgers. Marino. Favre. Brees. Mayfield.
There are 8 QBs in the history of our league that have thrown for 95 or more touchdowns in 3 consecutive years.
Bakers first year in the league he threw 26 TDS in 13 games- an NFL all time record- with a 1-36 team that he turned around. That’s 4 years. His third year he went 11-5 and then beat the Steelers at Pittsburgh for the Browns first playoff win in 30 years. That’s 5 of his 8 years.
His three bad years? His second year at Cleveland they had Freddie Kitchens as their head coach. Enough said. His fourth year at Cleveland he fractured his shoulder and tore his labrum in his left shoulder. Only injury he has ever had that required surgery. Baker fans were shocked that Stefanski let him play the season. Then his 5th season he was with 4 teams in one year!!
That’s his career- so far. I’m thinking this fan base is a little bit unrealistic. Don’t forget Baker averages right at one turnover per game for his career.
I know you doubters don’t want to know that in the above list of QBs that one turnover per game is right in the middle of those 8 QBs.
All those QBs above have started at least 5 playoff games. Baker is at the top of that list in passer rating in the playoffs. In fact the best in the history of the league.
He’s not a magician. He’s a QB savant. And he’s getting our ducks in a row. Watch and see.
September 23rd, 2026 at 9:57 am
“Tomlin field aggressive defenses that attacked the offense. Tomlin had discipline football teams that were always in games. And Tomlin didn’t have Josh Allen.”
That man spent a first round pick on Kenny Pickett, and a few year before gave Mason Rudolph a job. Honestly, I’d say Tomlin has the same taste in QBs as Bowles, which ain’t gonna work for this team brother.
September 23rd, 2026 at 10:03 am
As the Glazers how do you keep Licht after the recent awful signings
Paying Baker, Vita, McCullom, Reddick, Anzelone, the Winfield Extension and Otten
Combing the bad signings and the draft picks not being impact players you gotta clean house
September 23rd, 2026 at 10:03 am
Deff saw Godwin get open a few times and Otton but mayfield never looked their way. I’m a baker fan but I did NOT want them to resign him till after the season. If he gave them another season like 24 and half of 25 I’d say open up the vault but not until he delivered one more. Yea the price would have bin higher but oh well cause this was my concern he comes out and plays like the 2nd half of the season which he has. I’m not one to call him a terrible QB. There’s a reason he went #1 in the draft and he’s won 2 playoff games. He’s done some amazing things and no one can take that from him. His biggest problem is consistency always has bin.
September 23rd, 2026 at 10:07 am
Macdermott is much more aggressive on 4 th down than 3 point Todd.
September 23rd, 2026 at 10:09 am
Fire. Not all of those are bad signing. Zion earned his pay day. He was a 5th rd draft pick. Also game one he locked down Chase several times and Higgins. Winfield balled out and has bin one of the better safety’s in the league he also earned his pay day. Now both didn’t play good last year but no one did. Can’t blame licht for trying to find a pass rusher. He’s tried drafting and signing FA you really have know idea what you are going to get. Otton has earned his contract too. You couldn’t ask for a better TE who comes in and does the work. He’s had a few drops and he’s not super athletic but he comes to work and does what he is asked. He’s not getting top money. He has also shown he can carry the offense when injuries happen. Go back to 24 when Godwin and evens went down. The OC needs to use him properly which grizz did NOT
September 23rd, 2026 at 10:18 am
Joe … ‘Solak noted film tells him Mayfield is jumpy in the pocket. There have been receivers open on intermediate routes, Solak noted. But for reasons not quite clear, Solak said Mayfield is pumping or jumping around the pocket and not unloading the ball quickly enough to take advantage. By the time Mayfield is cutting loose the ball, the receivers are no longer open.’
Solak nailed it! Mayfield got beaten up BADLY last season & it’s playing with his head. He doesn’t trust his OLine, and that’s why he’s ‘jumpy’ in the pocket. That’s NOT something we could see in preseason because (1) in the practices you couldn’t hit the QB; and (2) he played almost no snaps in the 3 preseason games. Come the REAL games though, and Baker’s become a Dancing Bear.
How to fix it? Start by fixing our OLine. We should move Bredeson to Center & Barton to Guard because what we’re doing now isn’t working. Quite frankly, I’m not even impressed with Wirfs’ play in these first 2 games.
Next though we need to run it more. Thru 2 games we’ve only run it 45 times in 114 total plays (39.5%) but have gotten an average of 5.0 YPC. That’s very respectable, considering we haven’t been making explosive runs (10 yds or more). We had ONE long run against the Bengals (10 yds) out of 20 rushes, and FOUR long runs against the Browns (10 yds or more) out of 25 rushes (those 4 runs totalled 78 yds … remaining 21 runs gained 59 yds or 2.8 YPC). Bucs NEED the explosive runs (those are the BIG PLAYS) and Irving & Gainwell can provide those. So can Tucker & Williams me thinks.
September 23rd, 2026 at 10:30 am
Baker warned them. “It’s only gona get worse from here”. Lets not put it on him tho. Lets get some real coaching in here and see the difference. Definitely shouldn’t have paid him as a top 10 QB tho. He’s not that.
September 23rd, 2026 at 10:34 am
@DR
“Dave Canales said his message to Kyle Trask (and any QB) is to get rid of the ball quickly: “Life’s better that way when you do that. You’ve got these bears chasing you. If you don’t like bears chasing you, then get rid of the ham. And that’s the football.”
“So far in 2019, holding the ball too long and drifting in the pocket has been a huge issue for Mayfield, and there are many plays in which he’s doing the offensive line no favors, either from his initial deep setup in the pocket or his penchant for moving laterally which leads to impossible angles for the line to block.
This season, Mayfield has been directly charged with four sacks (either due to holding the ball too long or inviting pressures), tied for third-most in the league. In addition, Mayfield has been charged with 11 total pressures, third-most in the NFL. In 2018, Mayfield did a fantastic job of mitigating a mediocre offensive line, and his pocket movement was more calculated (drifting to create space and throw), while this season, we’re seeing a college weakness show up on film much more than it did a year ago.”
-Steve Pollazzo 2019 via Yahoo Sports
There’s no fix DR, it can only be masked and compensated for by the other 10 guys on the field and the OC at this point. It’s something that’s followed Mayfield his entire career.
September 23rd, 2026 at 10:41 am
Marine Buc … ‘– A-Rob – waste of $10M – AQM – waste of $10M – Gainwell – waste of $7M.’
I don’t disagree with you on Anzalone (that was a mistake, partly because of his age, but more-so because he’s ALWAYS been in a 4-3 defense at New Orleans & Detroit, and doesn’t seem to be able to adjust to Todd’s 3-4 hybrid).
But A’Shawn Robinson is the one bright spot on our DLine right now (check his stats). And Muhammad has been under-utilized thus far … only 47 def snaps but he’s at least got 2 QB hits). Our rookie Bain in comparison has 76 def snaps but ZERO stats). Nada. Heck, you & I could’ve gotten zero stats; that’s not the road to the HOF.
Gainwell’s been underutilized too. Only 7 rushes total in 2 games for 25 yds, and 5 targets with 4 catches for 8 yds. In all fairness though, on those 4 catches he caught the ball 25 yds BEHIND the LOS and gained 33 yds YAC. That’s NOT on Gainwell; that’s on Mayfield.
September 23rd, 2026 at 10:48 am
I pretty much agree on the contract part but not only that Baker made a huge public spectacle about it.
That being said, this is still on Bowles, IMO. In what world should a defense allow Watson to get 238 yards passing and two TDs, along with 23 points? Bowles scheme has been here how long? 7 years, and we continue to regress and look like a JV squad. Every single bad QB looks great against this defense. I used to get excited playing a teams backup QB knowing theyd have an up hill game. Now I fear backup QBs will break personal records on us….
Sure Baker got paid and needs to play better and sure the offense as a whole isnt great but my god Bowles defense has been here for 7 years it looks like its their first day out there. At least the offense is 2 games into a new system and still learning….
September 23rd, 2026 at 10:48 am
Wow. A hurst catch at the end, and these comments are completely different. Baker didn’t call the plays on that last drive. He didn’t miss those circus tackles. He is correct. They’re close. They’re getting in the red zone. They’ll correct . Yes, it’s gettin late early , but it’s not the @&$@ show they’ve got in charger land. We’ll see that ball come out quick this week. Ya gotta believe 😊 ( what choice does a baker boi have?)
September 23rd, 2026 at 10:49 am
Warren Brooks Lynch … ‘There’s no fix DR, it can only be masked and compensated for by the other 10 guys on the field and the OC at this point. It’s something that’s followed Mayfield his entire career.’
I can’t buy that there’s ‘no fix’ because of 2024 when Baker worked under Coen. YES he threw a lot of INTs, and YES he fumbled a lot, and those were costly (we were a better team than 10-7 IMO). But he still threw for over 70% completions, and ‘managed’ the offense reasonably well.
I’m convinced that Baker’s problem right now stems from last year’s ‘BEATINGS’. He got absolutely pummeled after the BYE, and I’m convinced that’s played with his head. From the time he receives the snap, he’s ‘twitchy’ in the pocket. He doesn’t trust his OLine to protect him, and as a consequence he’s not focusing down the field. He’s still shell-shocked from last year.
September 23rd, 2026 at 11:10 am
“I’m convinced that Baker’s problem right now stems from last year’s ‘BEATINGS’. He got absolutely pummeled after the BYE, and I’m convinced that’s played with his head.”
Sir, if he’s been exhibiting the same pocket behavior he has been showing since college, that’s literally reared its’ head several times in his career with every team he’s played for then that’s a problem he’s been traveling with.
40 sacks in 2023
40 sacks in 2024
36 times in 2025
The “beatings” is you trying to give him some bail, but history shows he’s always had the pocket presence of a descending plinko chip and the price is usually wrong. So you can’t make something that he’s shown prior to 2025 as a problem created in 2025, that’s just not being honest with reality.
Also, his play started trailing off WK 7, idk why this fan base continues to talk like we didn’t go 1-1 in our last two games before the bye or like our offense didn’t struggle those last few games.
24 offensive possession, 122 offensive plays
43-74
58% completions
380 yards
1 TD
1 INT
1 fumble
Sacked 7 times on 28 pressures on 81 passing play 34.6% of all drop backs.
That was “MVP” Baker going into the bye last year AFTER losing Mike Evans, who’s presence made it easier to stretch the field vertically and made it harder to do so when he was absent. So sure, the beatings, but even then some of that has to do with his conduct in the pocket & other self-inflected behaviors
September 23rd, 2026 at 11:21 am
Baker gets the Best Used Car Salesman Of The Year Award. He managed to sell himself for 165 mil to the Glazers and half of Bucs fans on the premise that he can play with the likes of Mahomes, Allen, and Jackson. Instead of game managing, he is out there scrambling, trying to make things happen just like Mahomes, Allen, and Jackson. He is playing hero ball except he’s no hero.
September 23rd, 2026 at 11:24 am
I used to like Baker at 3 for $100 mil as a QB with a chip on his shoulder. But I stopped liking him when he got $165 cause he was selfish fleec8ng the Bucs with a contract he wasn’t worth, and he was going to sink the Bucs by trying to match the elite QBs.
September 23rd, 2026 at 11:25 am
I can’t believe how many JBF commenters have already given up on THIS season. I don’t personally give a hoot what the odds-makers say about our chances of winning the division now. Heck, last season after 8 games (6-2) they all said we were a shoo-in to win the NFC South. Ya right.
Our offense right now is discombobulated. There’s no ‘rhythm’ and they don’t look like they’ve ‘gelled’ yet. But our starting 11 has some pretty decent talent; they just need to stop shooting themselves in the foot & get it together as a TEAM.
Our defense has actually been playing OK football … about 85 or 90% of the time. They seem to be susceptible to brain-farts every now & then though … missed tackles, sloppy coverage, guys out of position, etc. They gave up 2 TDs & 4 FGs to the Bengals, then 2 TDs & 3 FGs to the Browns. BUT … a full 50% of the 56 pts our defense has been tagged with (28 pts) were surrendered immediately following Bucs’ turnovers. 50%.
Bucs have their hands full trying to right the ship this Sunday against Minnesota. They’ve got an excellent defense, and that automatically doesn’t bode well for our floundering offense. Still, despite being the #4 defense, the Vikings have given up 200 yds rushing in 2 games (to rank #14), plus 516 yds passing (to rank #28). They’ve just been incredibly stingy when it comes to the Red Zone defense (7 attempts but have given up only 1 TD).
BTW, Packers’ QB Love was 7-of-13 deep against the Vikings defense (Pack lost 39-22), and the Bears’ QBs were 2-of-5 against them (Bears lost 9-3). They’re susceptible to the deep pass (I just wish that Baker would throw it beyond the LOS).
September 23rd, 2026 at 11:45 am
We’ll be paying the Steelers to take him next year.
September 23rd, 2026 at 12:21 pm
Kenton Smith Says:
September 23rd, 2026 at 9:57 am
Manning. Mahomes. Brady. Rodgers. Marino. Favre. Brees. Mayfield.
only this clown would list Baker with some of the greats lol….
what about him leading the league in Turnovers since 2023…..
put the pipe and bottle down and stop embarrassing yourself
GO BUCS!!!!!
September 23rd, 2026 at 12:53 pm
First 6 games he played like an mvp, which is roughly 1/3 of the season, not half.
At lions and at saints, he was 28/50 and 15/23 with 1 td and 1 pick.
He is not comfortable in the pocket at all. Hes running around almost immediately after his back foot hits. Which speaks to a combination of blocking inefficiencies and him not reading pre snap and making adjustments. But he’s never really been that comfortable in pocket. He’s more like Russell than I prefer.
September 23rd, 2026 at 1:17 pm
0-3 is coming.
September 23rd, 2026 at 1:23 pm
Tell me,
Which is worse?
Being so stupid you thought this team was going to win the division, and make a playoff run,
Or
being so stupid you blame the only Good player on offense?
Or,
Being so stupid, that you blame the offense for the loss, even though they had given the team the lead- late in the 4th quarter.
Not directed at anyone in particular. You all know who you are.
September 23rd, 2026 at 1:35 pm
That man sure has been hitting the Anchor Bar often after getting paid. What changed???
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:07 pm
Gee, it’s almost like some of us have been watching the ALL22 this entire time, and pointing out Baker has been a complete trash player for the last 13 games.
Additionally, Baker was “MVP” through 6 weeks last year, which also isn’t even true. Baker had a great 2 games, vs the Seahawks and 49ers. To open the season in Atlanta, he had an awful first half, but played well in the 2nd half. Vs Houston in week 2 he played a good game, but nothing special. Week 3 vs the Jets, he did not have a good game until the Jets went to prevent defense at the end, letting Baker come back and pad his stats. Week 4 vs the Eagles, Baker was terrible – flat out awful. Week 5, great game in Seattle. Week 6, great game vs the 49ers. Week 7 vs the Detroit – TERRIBLE awful game, complete garbage effort. Week 8 vs NO, another terrible awful game by Baker, bailed out by the defense.
Licht made a token offer with very little guaranteed money this offseason, one the Bucs could get out of easily and was content to play out the year on Baker’s current deal – then the Glazers panicked, stepped in at the last min and did a deal directly with Baker’s agent, bypassing Licht. It was an incredibly stupid move. Period.
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:34 pm
Even if you think it’s only a matter of time before Baker snaps out of his 13-game cold streak and play wells and still wanted to resign him, just think of the huge discount you’d get negotiating a deal right now.
The Glazers meddling cost the team a ton even if Baker does turn it around. And if Baker doesn’t turn it around, then the Glazers meddling just sank this team for years to come.
And it’s not to bash the Glazers, they rarely involve themselves – but clearly they bought the dumb media hype on Baker, ignored the tape and the GM, and wanted him resigned. Now Licht is going to end up paying for their meddling by losing his job at the end of the year when they clean house. Well, unless Baker can pull out of this extended nose dive.
September 23rd, 2026 at 5:57 pm
Rod Munch, that makes sense as Licht didn’t seem too concerned about letting Baker play out his contract, and was definitely not going to break the bank. I find it crazy that they gave baker 55 million for 2026 when they already had him gor 33 mil.