ESPN: Baker Mayfield Missing Starts Could Doom Bucs
November 27th, 2025
“Baker, we need ya’ big guy.”
Joe hates to type the following but is always real with readers.
Right now the Bucs are a bad team. The Bucs have lost four of their last five games. The defense is playing horrendous football, reminding Joe of The Smiths, lousy Lovie and Mike. It’s that bad.
Sure, you say, Bucs coach Todd Bowles always has a midseason swoon and the Bucs bounce back. This time, however, it feels (and looks) different to “this Joe.”
Last year when the Bucs had their annual tailspin, sure they got blown out by Baltimore. But the Bucs lost a one-score game to Atlanta (Antoine Winfield was likely robbed of a forced fumble at the goal line because the NFL/FOX was too cheap to have a camera on the goal line), took the then-Super Bowl champion Chiefs to overtime on the road and lost to San Francisco at home on a last-second field goal.
In the past four losses this season, only the loss to Buffalo was sort of close until Bowles decided to punt on fourth-and-two from the Bucs-38 halfway through the fourth quarter.
The defense had zero answers for stopping Josh Allen in that game.
No, the Bucs are not playing the same sort of football they played during their losing stretch last year. This year feels and looks a lot worse.
When you have both Baker Mayfield and Lavonte David, in a span of three weeks, unload on teammates for half-assing it, you’ve got deeper problems than just not having Mike Evans, Bucky Irving, Calijah Kancey and Jalen McMillan.
And then you have a newly-paid starting corner who is bored.
Yes, the Bucs are still in first place. Barely. They’ve kept their heads above water (over .500 at 6-5) despite all the injuries.
But NFL insider Dan Graziano of ESPN thinks Mayfield losing starts — plural — due to his injured left shoulder may just push the Bucs’ under the surface.
I think an injury absence for Baker Mayfield would be a significant problem. The Bucs haven’t had their entire offensive line or wide receiver group at all and have been without starting running back Bucky Irving longer than expected. They’re still in first place in a division that doesn’t have a particularly strong challenger, and the schedule eases up a bit in December.
But if Mayfield sits out because of that left shoulder injury (we don’t know for sure whether he will), winning games will be tough in the short term. The Bucs expect Irving and receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan to return at some point, which would help, but Mayfield makes that offense go. His late-game toughness has been a big part of why they’re 6-5 despite the injuries.
The way the Bucs are playing, even with Mayfield playing at 60 percent, is not great. Mayfield adds juice to the offense when he is healthy enough to scramble for first downs. When he plays hurt, he doesn’t scramble.
So even if Mayfield starts, he’s going to be neutered.
As a result, no matter if it is Teddy Bridgewater or Mayfield, Joe suspects the Bucs will be a run-heavy offense Sunday against the Cardinals.
Recently, the best games the Bucs have played, they’ve been effective running the ball.
For “this Joe,” and this Joe only, this team (and season) just feels like it is on the brink of collapse.
November 27th, 2025 at 8:16 am
Wow. ESPN really cracked breaking news with this headline. No kidding.
In other breaking news, water is wet.
November 27th, 2025 at 8:24 am
The fact that we can’t put our finger on one specific problem, tells me maybe the sky is falling.
This team has more holes than Swiss cheese. There’s no “Dog” in this team. Maybe thermometer than one player that gets bored? Time will tell but time is running out.
November 27th, 2025 at 8:28 am
Teddy Bridgewater is a disaster. At least with Trask, no one would have known what to expect.
Teddy signing was a Bowles request, I bet.
November 27th, 2025 at 8:29 am
“Every game, in my eyes, is a must-win playoff scenario, but understanding that, you know, if I sit one game out … that provides me to be healthier for down the stretch,” Mayfield said, via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
“And that’s, that’s how I’m gonna look at it. And I have to, I have to be smart with that understanding that, you know, our sights are still set on the playoffs, but to get there, we have to win these games, especially the NFC matchups, and so gotta, gotta look at it that way. And it’s kind of a double-edged sword, but we’ll see how it goes.”
November 27th, 2025 at 8:44 am
Lol on the above coment. Well on a Thanksgiving morning, I think we have already witnessed the collapse. The Bucs main leaders, David and Mayfield telling the team to wake up, only to play worse. Yes, a bored corner, that is the best creative statement I have ever heard to explain bad play. I am still wondering where Winfield went, has he been seen latlely.
With that said, I don’t know if the Bucs are bouncing back after the Rams loss. The Cardinal game will tell for sure. With or without Baker the way this team is playing their is a solid chance that they lose this week. Yes losing this week would clearly put the fork in them.
Baker, I think they should rest him this week and not play. I would rather see a healthy Baker for the remainder of the season than one struggling the rest of the season nursing a bad shoulder. At least we may see the offense recover as they get people back. The defense on the other hand well, I think that horse has left the barn.
November 27th, 2025 at 8:46 am
Dump Teddy and bring back Trask. Bridgewater is a waste. I just have more confidence in Trask at this point.
November 27th, 2025 at 8:53 am
This is not exactly breaking news. It is entirely possible that an 8 or 9 win team wins the NFC South because the truth is that Carolina, New Orleans and the ATL are all capable of losing every game they play just like the Bucs, it is a bad division. I know the ATL and Cousins will beat the Bucs on TNF simply because it it a night game and Bowles’ D will allow Cousins to go ape on the Bucs’. That is a given. However, the ATL might not win any other games. Carolina has Bryce Young and he has had 2 good outings this year, both against the ATL, every other game he has failed to throw for 200 yards. Now he could light up the Bucs, we shall see. Like everyone else, I see that if the Bucs continue to implode and finish under 0.500 and miss the playoffs, it may be a blessing in disguise if it gets Bowles launched but there is a possibility that Bowles throws everyone else under the bus (his players and coached) to save his own skin and then we will have the same problem next year. If so, we as fans are cornholed. Happy Thanksgiving.
November 27th, 2025 at 8:53 am
Has there ever been a bigger “must win” situation for the Bucs?
Can you imagine what will happen if they lose to the Arizona Cardinals at home on Sunday?
The Bucs better find their “dues ex machina” ASAP…
Oh boy – things could get really ugly around here.
November 27th, 2025 at 8:54 am
Bucs are doomed either way. Baker, when “healthy”, has played like absolute crap since the bye week.
This team is rudderless right now. The offense is playing with way too many JV players on the field and the defense…well, the defense is still run by Toad Bowles, so the ceiling is very low.
The best chance this team has to finish this season strong is for this coaching staff to outcoach the opposing coaching staff, so don’t hold your breath.
The offensive and defensive tendencies so far this year are in neon signs. Every big play that the Bucs have faced in any game has been sniffed out by a mile by the opposing coordinator. That’s not good. When is the last time that the Bucs have faced a big 3rd or 4th down play on either side of the ball where they other team didn’t appear to already know the play call?
November 27th, 2025 at 8:56 am
deus not dues… lol.
November 27th, 2025 at 9:03 am
GM FAILED THIS TEAM. POOR FA AND LACK OF VISION TO SEE NEEDS. THIS TEAM HAS BEEN COMPROMISED BIG TIME DUE TO JL DECISION MAKING. UNACCEPTABLE. BOWLES AND GRIZZ DIDNT HELP.
November 27th, 2025 at 9:17 am
Buc fan since day one, this is a team in turmoil. Reminds me of perkins era vibes
With few exceptions ( vea, baker, smith, david) this is a team going thru the motions now, they are playing without Passion, discipline and intensity. They were completely exposed in the Detroit game and every opponent since has repeated the formula. The stubborn inability to adjust is its downfall. Bowles has lost the confidence of his locker room, too much wasted talent to be here. Sad times for the buccaneer faithful
November 27th, 2025 at 9:21 am
Well, well, did we fall off the wagon? Look, it’s no surprise the Bucs lost these last three games. Yes, they looked bad doing it, but sometimes you need a good beating down to recognize who you are and what you want to be, and I don’t believe any one of those players wants to be losers. They will fight back at some point, maybe even in this game!
November 27th, 2025 at 9:31 am
Joe … ‘ No matter if it is Teddy Bridgewater or Mayfield, Joe suspects the Bucs will be a run-heavy offense Sunday against the Cardinals.’
Yeah verily Joe. All this team can do is focus on ONE GAME AT A TIME. Offensively this team can win Sunday if it just runs the ball effectively, controlling the clock in the process. Our Oline CAN run-block, and with Bucky/Rachaad/Tuck available to tote the rock, there’s no reason this team can’t put 30 points or more on the board. And if Grizz can’t make that happen, then find someone who can.
Defensively we’ve got some major problems obviously, but we are getting Reddick back, and the rest of the defense except for Dean is relatively healthy. Guys who have played crappy over these past 3 games need to sit on the bench & give someone else an opportunity. I just hope that Todd will light a fire under a few arses & let underperformers know that they need to re-earn the right to start. No more coddling the candy-asses.
November 27th, 2025 at 9:38 am
Mayfield plays, Bucs win this game and get back on track. No real dangerous weapons on Arizona’s offense.
November 27th, 2025 at 9:49 am
I’m with StPeteMatt!! Baker plays and Bucs win!! 7-5 !!
Let’s Go !!
November 27th, 2025 at 10:03 am
Baker wont bedoung much if any scrambling for a few games.
November 27th, 2025 at 10:15 am
If we had a coach with any stones, Zion would be bored while sitting his ass on the bench. It’s time to start benching some of these guys that are loading. Also I’d much rather have a 60% Baker playing then a 100% Teddy (if there is such a thing).
November 27th, 2025 at 10:36 am
Giving credit where credit is due. Glad to see that JBF is calling it like it is. In the past to me JBF has shown too much deference to Bowles and not being as critical as they should have been. Glad to see that they feel criticism is due. To that, I say welcome aboard.
As far as this week’s game? As “Marine Buc” asked “Can you imagine what will happen if they lose to the Arizona Cardinals at home on Sunday?” Obviously None of us want to see it but who really knows anymore? If it were to happen It would definitely signal the lowest point that this team has fallen in many seasons.
Yikes.
November 27th, 2025 at 10:41 am
Clueless Todd strikes again! Todd ends careers.
November 27th, 2025 at 10:50 am
Bridgeovertroubledwaters will not cut it. The CFL season is over. We need to grab a QB. Rypian and Bailey zapped are on practice squads. Find some help.
November 27th, 2025 at 10:50 am
As long as the Bucs continue to trot out a mediocre HC, I see them as nothing else but DOOMED!
So much of what “success” he has had is do to the misfortunes of the Bucs opponents at the time and so little to do with his coaching prowess…
Many fans have recognized this and could so easily foresee this coming down the trail from far away…. Once the other tams in the NFCS division START to improve, the Bucs will be in the bottom for years… employing a mediocre HC is NOT a winning teams equation..
November 27th, 2025 at 10:55 am
Let Mayfield sit the next 2 weeks. If we can’t beat the Cardinals and Aints without Baker, we don’t deserve to make the playoffs.
November 27th, 2025 at 11:08 am
I feel like we are on the brink of collapse as well. Another thing is Todd Bowles will have a losing season and yet he will be retained yet again as it is Baker’s injury that doomed him–it will be his excuse.
November 27th, 2025 at 11:13 am
This is the most important game Bowles has ever coached. Lose, and it likely cascades into either termination or last ditch chance with demands he change to a DC. Think it won’t happen? See Dungy and Clyde.
Win, and it could propel them to a 2-3 game winning streak, which will likely get them into the playoffs, where one and done is very likely. But he will get an injury-altered-season reprieve.
I have no clue what is going to happen. This makes it intriguing.
I read what you all write. I know a lot of you don’t think Bowles can get the job done, and so some may actually even be cheering for them to lose.
I can’t do that. As mad as I get, I really hope he is the next Bucs SB coach because I think he is a good man.
Monday anger has subsided, and Hopeful Ken is back.
November 27th, 2025 at 11:32 am
The teddy Bridgewater signing was a licht and Glazer thing. Remember, he was supposed to be here around Brady or around the radio I think they had an eye on Bridgewater for a long time that’s not a bowl’s idea that’s a licht and Glaser idea.
November 27th, 2025 at 11:43 am
WATCH OUT GUYS! If Budda gets on this thread he’s going to label you poor fans wanting to lose. Be careful with what you say. All is well.
November 27th, 2025 at 11:55 am
There’s nothing wrong with Baker’s legs so he can and as a matter of fact, should use them to avoid getting destroyed in the pocket. He can also run when there is an opening, he just needs to slide so he doesn’t get hit. He just cannot try to bull doze people. Using his legs is the best protection he has for that shoulder. I am not saying that Baker should play but Jordan Love played last week with the same injury designation that Baker has. Joe Flacco had the same injury to his throwing shoulder and he played last week. I don’t know how he did that but he did, even though he didn’t play well.
November 27th, 2025 at 11:55 am
baker tryfield needs to play or we are doomed like doomers
#DoctorDoom #MFdoom
November 27th, 2025 at 12:08 pm
Say Joe, Lets see what Bridgewater really has this week. I think he had not played for so long, he was shocked he had to go into The game last week. He’s had a weeks practice with the ones. Something tell me he will be better come Sunday. We shall see.
November 27th, 2025 at 12:48 pm
I’m a huge Mayfield fan but the facts are he ranks in the bottom five in almost all categories among all staring QB’s the past 5 or 6 games, whereas he ranked among the top the first 5 games of the season. Some categories he is almost dead last. So whether Bridgewater or Mayfield is starting I don’t think makes much difference until we shore up the middle of the oline and Mayfiled starts playing better.
November 27th, 2025 at 12:54 pm
Jason Licht signing Teddy is another HORRIBLE signing. Reddick…Godwin…on and on. Please stop giving Licht credit and start blaming him for this crap fest. That SB was a half decade ago…LONG TIME AGO.
Dude is living off of Brady. Stop the Brady gravy train. FIRE LICHT!
November 27th, 2025 at 1:16 pm
Baker playing at 60% has held the offense back. He did the same thing last year when we went through our annual midseason slump. It’s the coaches’ fault for not holding him out of games until he can get healthy. Why even have backup quarterbacks if you don’t use them?
Hopefully we will lose the rest of our games and draft a real franchise quarterback cause this one ain’t it
November 27th, 2025 at 2:49 pm
If Baker misses games, it will doom the team. Bum Bridgewater is a bum, he stinks, he’s washed up, he gives you no chance to win. Could the running game perhaps bail out the team vs the Cards and Saints? Well, I seem to remember the run game vs the Saints doing jack squat vs the Saints a few weeks ago. Even if Bucky is back, you need your QB to at least show up.
With all that said, the Bucs made no move at QB, so I assume that means they expect Baker back.
November 27th, 2025 at 2:54 pm
Baker has no problem sitting out another game with Bridgewater as starter he knows he will not loose his position as starter
When trask was back up Baker played when he could hardly walk, he knew trask was better than most of you want to admit. Alot of you worship Baker and praised Bridgewater when they cut trask
Congratulations
November 27th, 2025 at 4:43 pm
I’m sorry, Joe, but this entry is a nothingburger. The headline led me to believe it was about some news (or at least opinion) about Baker’s availability for the next few games. Instead, it’s just regurgitated negativity about the Bucs. Since it’s a holiday, you get a pass. Happy Thanksgiving!
November 27th, 2025 at 4:48 pm
I read everything. A few weeks ago, Baker was “MVP”. Now he is looked at as being mediocre.
Look, he’s injured. As Baker says, Don’t get “too high or too low”. RIght now, we are getting too low.
This is a game of mentality as well as physicality. Be strong, Bucs fans! We can and will do this! We will win.
Baker is LEADER. Tough guy, mentally and physically. Let’s stand behind him and the team. LETS! GOOOOOOOOO!
November 27th, 2025 at 5:16 pm
CyberDilemma Says:
November 27th, 2025 at 12:48 pm
I’m a huge Mayfield fan but the facts are he ranks in the bottom five in almost all categories among all staring QB’s the past 5 or 6 games, whereas he ranked among the top the first 5 games of the season. Some categories he is almost dead last. So whether Bridgewater or Mayfield is starting I don’t think makes much difference until we shore up the middle of the oline and Mayfiled starts playing better.
The schedule for the last 6 games were very difficult, somehow we won two of those games, and we have been playing without the #1 running back, #1-4 wide receivers and several starting offensive linemen. No time to pass and no one to pass to. What were you expecting Baker to do?
November 27th, 2025 at 6:01 pm
Correction…WILL doom Bucs.
November 27th, 2025 at 8:10 pm
Baker is awesome and a great leader, maybe if he plays hurt we will finally commit to the run game for real. that means on third and two or third and four you blast through the line and get the first down running not throwing crappy ball’s to receivers who are not open or a tight end who refuses to wear glove…
happens once it was an accident, twice and it’s just bad play cade
November 27th, 2025 at 8:17 pm
If Bucs don’t win division they don’t make playoffs two games behind all others in wildcard
IF BUCS MISS PLAYOFF DO THE BOWLES FANS FINALLY CALL HIM OUT
November 27th, 2025 at 11:09 pm
Funny. 2023 Godwin,Evans, White( ran for 990 yards far more yards the. any Buc ran for with Brady in TB) and Otton all played ALL 17 games. The offense got hot and finished 20th in total offense lol. After a 4-7 start, got hit and finished 9-8. 4-2 in the division and 5-6 outside the division. Putrid record vs winning teams too. Baker was 19th in completion percentage. PFF ranked him as the 19-20 best QB that year. The defense allowed their lowest PPG in over a decade and the defense finished 7-8 in points allowed. For one season Winfeild turned into prime Ed Reed. Baker was not a top 12 QB that year even with Burrow missing 40% of the year and Cousins being hurt. In 2023 Cousins was still highly productive this the 180M contract he signed that off season. So what’s the excuse now? Health,OL was above average, defense was good. I mean the defense wasn’t that good if you need them to be the 85 Beras but 7/8 out of 32 teams is good. First year excuse right? Well, Sam Darnold has been on a new team 3 straight years. Maybe, just maybe this guy isn’t the guy and the sooner you all realize it the better we will be. Guess what? It will be all pro/MVP/Hof QBs coming out in these drafts. It’s not some magical place. All 32 teams have the same access. I’m sick of this scrappy, Rocky Balboa underdog BS with this guy. He stinks! He is a impediment. We will ever jack 💩 with him but the NFC. South and that’s coming to a end buddy. I’m sick of the moral victories and other BS. If I hear one more excuse I’m going to barf for this guy. Bring him and Grizz and Bowlers back for 26. So when he/we implode we can start over too to bottom. I’m sick of the Glazers. Retain a mediocre coach, settle for a short, journeyman WB who has been bounced around more then a trampoline. The guy clearly CANT win. If we had a very good QB we would be winning 12-15 games a year with no excuses. SF is 8-4 in the freaking NFC West with thwri#1 wr not playing all year, a backup QB playing most of the year and all pro te,edge and lb missing most of the year. I glance at their site and nobody making excuses. In 2019, Carson Wentz was 27. Just signed a 130M extension that summer. Won a weak division at 9-7. He passed for 4000 yards in 16 games. 27 Rd/7 int. He did not have ONE wide out with 500 yards. His leading rusher had 800 yards. Did Philly any, coddle and make a ton of excuses for him? Nope. 3 months after the season ended they drafted Jalen Hurts kn the second Rd. I bet they glad they did too. That’s the difference between them and us. Now we about to sign this sorry, retread midget to a extension and sabatohe this team. We are already old,slow.and expensive. Get rid of this bum. If his name was Jason Lewis everybody would agree we should be looking for a younger,cheaper upgrade. When Atlanta, or the saints or Carolina find a QB they will e kicking a hole on our rear. And we will be stuck with Temu Drew Brees who won’t play nearly as long. Baker is going to be a grandfather and you guys will be saying ” if we give him a line” he can throw out of his rocking chair. I have HATED this 3 year stretch. Bum Baker better sign that extension. The real him coming out
November 27th, 2025 at 11:21 pm
ESPN is what is wrong with sports.
November 27th, 2025 at 11:46 pm
When Baker is healthy he is a top 5 quarterback, Easy, even without a great OL. With a great OL Baker is top 3 quarterback. The first 4 games proves it. He was on fire putting the team on his back. But playing like he did is dangerous for any quarterback. Just need the line healthy and we are going all the way.
November 27th, 2025 at 11:49 pm
I agree, when healthy and just a good line, not a great line, Baker is one of the best. He is by far capable of winning us a superbowl.
November 27th, 2025 at 11:54 pm
I love how some on here who aren’t smart enough to comprehend what it takes to win in this league. One position can’t do it by themselves no matter who you are. It takes everybody to win and if there is a missing link your chances of winning drop considerably.