Gerald McCoy: “I Believe In Baker. I Believe In This Team.”
October 22nd, 2025
Has his team’s back.
Yeah, Gerald McCoy agrees, losing Mike Evans really, really stinks.
However, the former Bucs All-Pro defensive tackle isn’t bailing on his old team. In fact, GMC thinks the Bucs can remain a powerhouse in the NFC and maybe regain their best-in-the-conference ranking prior to the loss to the Lions.
GMC noted on “The Arena” podcast that despite his former teammate, future Hall of Famer receiver Evans, possibly being down for the season, the Bucs can still win games because they did so when he was previously out with a bum hamstring.
Why can’t that continue? GMC asked in so many words.
“I still believe they can be 13-4,” GMC said. “Sure, because here is the reason why: The schedule is favorable, still. Mike hasn’t been there [playing in all the previous games this year]. And they still [won games].”
For GMC, Emeka Egbuka not being 100 percent killed the Bucs on Monday night.
But it was the Bucs defense that impressed GMC. They rose up when the Bucs needed them the most.
“The Lions had multiple chances to blow the Bucs out,” GMC said. “They could have put up 40. … If we can do that against that team on the road, I think we will be OK.”
In short, GMC said there is no reason to jump off the Bucs’ pirate ship over Monday night. You have to believe.
“I believe in Baker,” GMC said. “I believe in this team. It’s was just a tough day at the office.”
"The schedule is favorable. Mike Evans hasn't been there and they are still playing well. The bigger issue was Emeka Egbuka wasn't healthy."@Geraldini93 still believes his Bucs and Baker Mayfield can keep winning games. pic.twitter.com/BW7rPsVGtj
— The Arena: Gridiron (@ArenaGridiron) October 21, 2025
October 22nd, 2025 at 7:13 am
They have a few things to figure out. They need someone to lock down the RG spot. I didn’t think Jordan looked good there, thought Klien looked better. Stick with one though. You’re not doing Heck any favors either. He’s lined up with 4 different RGs this year. They need to think about giving opportunities to Bullock, Jackson, and Jones at MLB. Dennis needs to be replaced. Wouldn’t hurt giving David some plays off either. He’s wearing out. I noticed he was wearing the green dot again. That’s further proof Dennis is a failure at MLB. The bye is coming at the right time. Hopefully we get J Mac, Goedeke back soon after. Some tweaks, and reavaluations need to be made.
October 22nd, 2025 at 7:19 am
it stinks that everyone immediately says he should retire
have some empathy, did you see him laying on the ground unable to get up?
i was worried for him personally, what about his life? his wife and kids and all he has done for the Tampa Bay area…
i would hate to see him go… if he goes to another team after he’s fully recovered he could still be great if he wants to…. 32 is nothing, he was just getting better in training camp
i think he was trying too hard and Baker was throwing him hospital balls, really high, overthrown, out of bounds balls… get well Mike! take all the time you need man and thanks for all you do!!
October 22nd, 2025 at 7:20 am
I think Gerald is spot on. D looked good. Held a potent Lions offense, at home, with a LOUD crowd, and super motivated team, to 24 points. 7 points UNDER what they usually score at home.
I can’t wait for the NFC championship game, Bucs vs Lions2. Bring it biotch!!
October 22nd, 2025 at 7:24 am
I agree with Hodad, but unfortunately we won’t know if Bullock/Jackson will be any good without injury. But seriously we need someone who can attack at a better angle or that is faster. There was one play in particular that I had no problem with SVD chasing down Gibbs, but the way he attacked allow for Gibbs to easily juke him out if I recall correctly. I was very excited but then disappointed when he didn’t make the tackle. He has to run at an angle to push them out of bound or to wrap them up.
Now, John Bullock has a slightly better 40 time, according to google, than SVD so he may be able to make some of those tackles. But we just won’t know since he is untested. At this point even Jones would be better as a MLB. But if anything we need an edge rusher.
@MJ – you are dumb if you think that was a Baker hospital ball. That ball was on the money, but Rock Ya-Sin was hanging on Mike before the ball was even in his hands. If Rock Ya-Sin didn’t commit an egregious penalty, Mike would have had that ball and taken it for a touchdown. Instead, he killed our number 1 WR.
October 22nd, 2025 at 7:27 am
“It’s was just a tough day at the office.” Agreed. Just a hiccup and not the annual mid season swoon me thinks. This team is different from past teams. Time to shine Tez!
October 22nd, 2025 at 7:29 am
We need a new ILB before trade deadline. Come on Jason!!
October 22nd, 2025 at 7:45 am
Mr Softie has spoken
October 22nd, 2025 at 8:09 am
Go get Bonito from CLE, gotta come cheap and he’s on expiring deal. One year rental to help secure that spot since Mauch is gone till next year anyways.
October 22nd, 2025 at 8:10 am
i agree with GMC…
GO BUCS!!!!
October 22nd, 2025 at 8:20 am
It’s only a flesh wound.
October 22nd, 2025 at 8:28 am
For me ME needs to be used sparely like maybe just in redzone plays you have to know your players. We all love ME but we love this team more. My wife is a Commanders fan and they looking old and depleted at the WD spot. I feel our GM has done a great job in the depth of this team. If anything needs to change it getting a top tier head coach in here I have no faith in Bowles style of play and coaching.
October 22nd, 2025 at 8:31 am
Do whatever it takes to get out of N.O. with a W then they’ll have 2 weeks to figure out who’s available to play moving forward. Right now it’s just a mess.
Are we taking bets yet to see if Todd’s defense will give up a TD on the Saint’s opening drive?
October 22nd, 2025 at 8:36 am
Gerald still can’t believe Dominik gave him 100 plus million. I’d be a homer too
October 22nd, 2025 at 8:59 am
You ever think its the system here thats the issue.
Devin is fine in la
Players regress defensively here. Alot.
Maybe it’s too much movement and like Tony used to do.
He simplified it so they played fast. How is it dan Campbell gets four losers off the street and they shut down a team avg 30 points per game.
Let me tell you itd never in 100 outta 100 times happen in a todd bowles defense. Never.
October 22nd, 2025 at 9:10 am
I believe too.
October 22nd, 2025 at 9:51 am
Big blow, but we still have enough weapons to make this season work. Get well Mike. We can use you in the playoffs
October 22nd, 2025 at 9:53 am
Y’all need to realize that Dennis is practically a rookie. His mental errors are completely on him, since he’s had access to the playbook for a few years now, but when it comes to this year’s tweaks and building on-field and game awareness, he’s still a rookie. If he’s still making this many mistakes at Thanksgiving, then we have an actual problem.
October 22nd, 2025 at 9:55 am
Buccnasty, Bitonio from Cleveland to play guard would be nice but while we’re at it , Nick Bonitto would be nice for the pass rush!
October 22nd, 2025 at 9:57 am
The Patriots and Panthers games are suddenly not looking like the easy outs people thought they’d be back in August.
October 22nd, 2025 at 10:48 am
I agree with GMC. Bucs had a bad offensive day. It happens. Bucs lost to Philly earlier this season. Oh man, it was ‘off with their/Bowles’ head around here. Following week, they beat the Seahawks in Seattle. Similar pattern now. So, Bucs will beat the Saints in NOLA. EE2 and a few more defensive players are back. If Grizzard doesn’t call up more plays for Tez, I’ll behead him. Getting out my obeah beads for the cajun luck. I can’t believe NOLA is doing so bad. Loved reading about Russell Wilson telling cheating Payton to screw off. Payton shouldn’t be coaching at all. Good thing Denver has got him on a short leash. Anywho, go Bucs!! 6-2 at the Bye!! Thank god!
October 22nd, 2025 at 10:50 am
UFCguy, maybe you should just stick to the UFC. Devin flamed out not only in TB but also Philly and Houston, maybe he figures if he didn’t play well in LV then he would be out of the league. Detroits front destroyed our center and right side of the line which got in Baker’s head. There were receivers open Baker just missed them. It’s like people watch these games from a biased lense and it’s very frustrating.
October 22nd, 2025 at 11:56 am
Love ya, Gerald. Here’s the thing. A team can’t win consistently over the course of a long season with three unconnected coordinators including one who drives a short bus, and no head coach. That fact was never more evident than on Monday night against the Lions. Bucs were less prepared for that than the 2022 Cowboys playoff game, which remains one of Todd’s top atrocities.
October 22nd, 2025 at 1:08 pm
You guys are so down on everything. We already won the week 6 power poll and the week 6 MVP voting. That’s worth celebrating!
October 22nd, 2025 at 1:15 pm
GMC’s opinion is worthless.
October 22nd, 2025 at 1:23 pm
I agree with Gerald. Let’s go!!!!
Poor Aqualung. You are dying to pound your chest with facts but JBF is not helping you with their information. Just keep trying buddy. You almost have us convinced with your efforts. lol
October 22nd, 2025 at 1:42 pm
Eric Says:
October 22nd, 2025 at 8:36 am
Gerald still can’t believe Dominik gave him 100 plus million. I’d be a homer too
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GMC was a 6x pro-bowler, and an ALL-PRO, on a terrible team and yet you retards still endless repeat this stupid crap about him not being good because some idiot on radio said he was ‘soft’, and you dopes just endless repeat it like it’s true. You guys are such boring morons, get some new material already.
God bless.
October 22nd, 2025 at 1:51 pm
Rod they could have let McCoy walk and not pay him all that money…and still suck just as much.
October 22nd, 2025 at 2:32 pm
Buc1987 Says:
October 22nd, 2025 at 1:51 pm
Rod they could have let McCoy walk and not pay him all that money…and still suck just as much.
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And the Dolphins could have cut Marino and also never won a SB during that era.
October 22nd, 2025 at 3:07 pm
The Bucs need Bucky back on the field. They also need an upgrade at RB3. Tucker has been indecisive and looks worse than Rachaad ever did at his worst.
October 22nd, 2025 at 3:50 pm
Rod, the Bucs could go undefeated and these yahoos will still be complaining, esp AguaLung and Grover