“There Is Nobody Else I Would Rather Follow”
September 21st, 2025
Clutch.
Here’s a stat on Baker Mayfield that Joe guesses is new to many Bucs fans.
Since Bucco Baker Mayfield arrived in Tampa Bay in 2023, no quarterback has more passing yards in the final two minutes of regulation of games. Not Saint Lamar Jackson, not Josh Allen, not Pat Mahomes, not Matt Stafford, not Jayden Daniels, not Jalen Hurts, not Jared Goff.
Nope. It’s Mayfield. He has 523 yards passing in the final two minutes of regulation since the start of the 2023 season.
Mayfield has showed that knack again this season in both Bucs’ wins, leading a comeback, game-winning drives in the final minute each week.
With the comeback win against Houston last Monday, the Bucs are just the second team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to win of their first two games of the regular season when trailing in the final minute.
If you ask veteran Bucs offensive lineman Ben Bredeson, the Bucs were able to accomplish that feat because of one guy: Baker Mayfield.
“I think I have said it, but there is nobody else I would rather follow in a two-minute drill,” Bredeson said. “He goes in there with the utmost confidence, and then on fourth-and-10 is able to get out of something like that — scramble, get us a first down, pop up and just lead the troops right down the field.
“I think he plays some of his best ball when it is a huge pressure situation like that, and he brings the best out of all of us.”
And to think there are still creatures who lurk among us who think Kyle Trask, who to the best of Joe’s knowledge is still looking for work, should have been the Bucs’ starter in 2023 as opposed to Mayfield. Can you imagine?
Signing Mayfield ranks right up there with signing Tom Brady three years prior. Where would the Bucs be right now without Mayfield?
Joe has a hunch Todd Bowles might not be the Bucs’ head coach today if he hadn’t pushed Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to sign Mayfield.
September 21st, 2025 at 12:17 am
Baker is clutch. But it’s also a red flag that we need so many last second drives to win games. Would really love to see the bucs put some games away early and save my heart some stress..
September 21st, 2025 at 12:34 am
Naa, the Bucs did Trask dirty. LOL!
Trask is done in the NFL. Shame that draft pick couldn’t be retrieved from the lost and found.
September 21st, 2025 at 12:45 am
Baker has thrown it more in the final 2 minutes than all the other QB’s that you mentioned because they do not need to throw it in the final 2 minutes every game to bail themselves out. Solution, don’t play pedestrian ball for 3 1/2 quarters and you don’t have to be a hero at the end…..because it doesn’t always end well.
September 21st, 2025 at 12:46 am
Is it too late to sign Mike Glennon?
September 21st, 2025 at 1:23 am
Yeah that stat kind of suggests that they are behind a lot.
September 21st, 2025 at 1:41 am
You negative fans are amazing. They could give you a golden a$$hole and you would complain because it is not platinum
September 21st, 2025 at 3:43 am
what Robert Says Says!! X2
September 21st, 2025 at 5:05 am
Bowles and Licht are great when seeking talent. Bowles liked Baker when he coached the Jets, but didn’t get him as their QB. Can you imagine if they got Baker at that time, where they could have been if Baker was playing like he is now. The Jets, Browns, and others may be kicking their-selves now for letting Baker slide through their fingers. So glad he is in Tampa Bay!
September 21st, 2025 at 5:36 am
This is one of those distinctions or honors that at times, could be considered dubious at best.
Baker brings 100% to every single play, and even through the TV, you can pick up on the grit, determination, focus and attitude he brings in those two-minute situations. (And the rest of the game, to be fair).
Joe, I agree with your points about the importance of Baker’s signing and who the HC might be.
But… it would be nice to not be throwing so often in two-minute situations like that because we weren’t in them in the first place.
September 21st, 2025 at 6:00 am
Let’s beat the Jets and at the very least we are 3-1 after 4 ,, we all would have taken that before the season started considering the first half of the season is the tough part ,,, if we can get to the last 5 games (which are all winnable ) and get there with our guys back ,, 10 to 12 wins are very doable
September 21st, 2025 at 7:28 am
I always thought Craig Erickson would win 8 Super Bowls
September 21st, 2025 at 7:53 am
Mayfield’s clutch performance of escaping the pocket on 4th and 10 was remarkable but a steady diet of escaping sometimes has a way of catching up with you.
When Tristan Wirtz returns soon and the offensive line improves with his All Pro talent the Bucs won’t be having to pull out a rabbit 🙄 out of a hat nearly as much going forward 😳.
September 21st, 2025 at 8:14 am
It has to do with the no huddle or tempo he played in college. He’s he is clutch but you could go no huddle in the first and third quarters and he would have the same results. Grizzly should pick 2 non 2 minute drives per game to do the no huddle just to keep the defense off balance and pad the lead.
September 21st, 2025 at 8:16 am
Trask to the CFL
September 21st, 2025 at 8:23 am
Golden a$$hole…hahahaha! Yeah, I do think Trask should still be in Tampa, but he’s shown that he’s just a backup at best. Never really did anything too exciting the few times I’ve seen Baker go out. Even looked mediocre in preseason. Of course, he is better than Bridgewater, who is a prime example of knowing the right people gets you places, even if you suck.
But for those complaining about Baker, or the score being too close, think of it as great experience for bigger games down the line when we gotta be clutch and cool under pressure. Baker is about as cool under pressure as you can get right now, and I can’t imagine anyone else who’d be a better fit for this team. So, buckle up and enjoy the ride, or pick a different team.
September 21st, 2025 at 8:29 am
Well, gold is a soft metal and not suited to expelling Taco Bell meals
September 21st, 2025 at 8:34 am
All the above =
The defense should buy Baker a beer many games
OR
The defense pay the skinny Margarita tab… no matter how many.
So often bailing them out.
They’ve looked better so far, though.
O-line is the new worry.
September 21st, 2025 at 9:54 am
Feisty Bake has no problem hoisting the entire Bucs team on his shoulders, if that helps with the win. I admire his courage and faith, but I still wish he would kindly learn how to SLIDE more!
September 21st, 2025 at 12:42 pm
I like what you said there Joe. One of the best signings right up there with Brady. Baker could prove to be a better signing than Brady. He’s already given more time. I don’t count Brady’s last season. Baker has moxie and leadership skills that Brady just didn’t have. If we can come out of this injury plague Baker could get us to the promised land. I do believe!
September 21st, 2025 at 12:49 pm
I have spent many months reading people complain that Baker is no good in the final two minutes unless it’s garbage time. Now, after he leads two great comebacks, I have to read that he’s no good in the first fifty-eight minutes. It’s a sixty minute game, and if you’re ahead at the end, you must have played well in the first fifty-eight, the last two, or both.
BTW, I don’t think you can fault the Jets on Baker since he was the first player chosen and they didn’t have a shot.
September 21st, 2025 at 1:03 pm
Once we get everyone back we won’t need to have these last minute winning drives. But it’s awful good to know you have them if you need them. Just knowing you have the ability is a huge advantage.
September 21st, 2025 at 6:29 pm
We are just as LUCKY to have BAKER MAYFIELD as our leader as we were to get TOM BRADY. That’s 2 pretty good leaders there. BAKER has ICE WATER in his veins for sure