Blaming Baker Mayfield
December 8th, 2025
So two big names in NFL media pointed fingers at Baker Mayfield after yesterday’s ugly 24-20 loss to the miserable Saints.
One is Richard Sherman, whose “I know some things” comment about the Bucs is even more interesting now than it was a month ago. The former Buccaneer said on his podcast that the decline in Mayfield’s play over time, not just Sunday, “is the biggest concern for this [Bucs] team.”
Sherman noted Mayfield being able to carry the team without star receivers was why the Bucs were a contender. And now that’s gone.
Over at CBS Sports, NFL insider prickly Pete Prisco, who picked the Bucs to be the No. 1 seed in the NFC this season, also pointed at Mayfield as a major reason for the Bucs’ struggles.
Prisco, who had private time with Mayfield at One Buc Palace this summer, told his CBS audience that he believes Mayfield is much more injured than what is known publicly. Whether Prisco has intel on that is unclear.
Mayfield is struggling, so are his receivers and playcaller. But for the Bucs defense to allow the miserable Saints offense with a rookie quarterback to drop 24 points on the Bucs easily, with 8:26 remaining in the game, that’s more than Joe can stomach.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:10 am
Yep….Baker isn’t sharp…he lacks protection & his WRs don’t get open and drop passes…..
He’s not the reason we are losing but he’s not helping us win.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:13 am
Anything Richard Sherman says is a look at em hot take. Don’t care.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:16 am
Even when Baker is completely healthy he is not a top 5 QB , top 10 yes, but not top 5. When a QB sees a WR that has totally beaten his man by 5 yards or more that is the one time when a slight underthrow with some air under the ball is preferred to a rocket high , Baker does that a bunch .
December 8th, 2025 at 8:16 am
So the whole reason is that an injured Mayfield can’t carry Todd Bowles’ sorry ass unprepared and disinterested team by himself.
Got it.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:18 am
We were KILLING it until the Detroit game, when our D was unmasked. Baker hasn’t been the same either, some long term injury makes sense
December 8th, 2025 at 8:20 am
He’s been playing hurt and he won’t sit down and even give his body a chance to get healthy. That tells us a lot about the bucs back qb situation, you want us to believe Teddy couldn’t get the team past N.O. if that’s the case why is he even on the roster. As for Mayfield because the bucs qb play outside of D. Williams, B. Johnson and Winston 1 pro bowl year and Brady the qb situations here are always patch work. Mayfield plays reckless and he’s always going to play like that so the Bucs know that comes with his play style. I just don’t think it’s a recipe for success long term hence he’s been a journeyman QB, all that raw raw stuff etc ain’t helping now. Take his first read away and he struggles that’s always been the knock on him because he has to move around to make plays. The situation is what it is.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:20 am
I agree with Todd. Also, if we need 10 yards for a first down, why do our receivers constantly run 8 to 9 yard routes?
December 8th, 2025 at 8:21 am
Baker would probably have to have a ruptured spleen to take himself out of a game. He is dinged up, no doubt about that and if he was not playing at his best in the first half of the season, this team would be down there with the Falcons. Baker at 35% must be better than Bridgewater at 100%, else Baker would not have played in the Card game. Now he is going to have to keep pace with Cousins in a Thursday night shootout? Baker will give it 110% but the ATL D will outplay Bowles putrid schemes so it will be a long night for Buc fans. Get used to it unless changes happen at the top.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:21 am
Lack of a top tier TE is why.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:24 am
Nope…. Perhaps he didn’t play well on every snap
But his HEART was 100% in the game.
The rest of OBP is in question now!
There is something fundamentally wrong in the halls of OBP
Time for Bruce Arians to exit the building and go to his lake house and TV side hustles.
JL is OK but doesn’t need BA looking over his shoulder and whispering to the Glazers.
Everything below needs a shakeup and shake OUT!
Of course 💩 needs to go!
December 8th, 2025 at 8:24 am
Don’t be surprised if the Falcons whip us too.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:28 am
Nice try Joe. Quit running cover for clueless Todd. You’ve reached a new low.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:30 am
Baker has been off since the Lions game. He played his way out of a contract extension this off-aason imo. He should have to earn it in 2026. Very disappointing considering he was playing at an MVP level the first 5 weeks. He’s been MIA since
December 8th, 2025 at 8:30 am
TBBF, perfect take!
December 8th, 2025 at 8:31 am
Everyone stunk yesterday. Not just one guy. SMH.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:34 am
Well if his injuries are causing his bad play what the hell is he doing on the Field? How selfish of him if that’s true
December 8th, 2025 at 8:35 am
Yes the defense is awful and yes their is something definately wrong with Baker. He is off and has been for while. However, their are much more problems than him. Does he have injuries?, Well something is amiss that is foe sure.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:35 am
Baker actively tried and tried. When at the end, he was sitting on the bench with his head down, we could all relate. Not fully his fault at all. Unfortunately, he has been beat up along with others and they are not playing like they did. We know they have it in them. But yesterday, was sad. They should have won. Hopefully, they practice in the evening to get ready for Thursday night at home. Go Bucs!
December 8th, 2025 at 8:35 am
To blame Baker is nuts! Is he playing great, no, not when after every snap the defense line is in his face before he knows it, he is getting killed! The Offensive game plan is Awful, beyond Terrible! The Defensive coach needs to change the gameplan at halftime when its not going well and players need to play better. We should be getting better at this point and we are getting worse. Love Todd as a human but it is time to let him go! We should of never let Canales go then let Liam go without giving him the Head Coaching Job… Soul searching time fellows.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:38 am
Panthers & Jaguars in the Superbowl !!!!!!!
December 8th, 2025 at 8:39 am
Ive said this before and Ill keep saying it. When NOBODY is playing well, thats on the garbage HC.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:40 am
I want to vomit when I think about this team. We were out muscled at home against a two win team. The same team that stopped us 9 times in a row from punching it in from the one yard line. The defense is vulnerable over the middle ALL season long and the KO coverage unit smells like rotten eggs. I just tasted the puke in my mouth thinking about it.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:41 am
I’m waiting for someone today to blame the “water girls”.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:41 am
I like Baker – I agree he is probably a top 12 QB when healthy.
However – his downfield throw accuracy is hot garbage and has been since day one.
People wonder why the Bucs offense is “dink and dunk” – well the answer is very obvious to me…
December 8th, 2025 at 8:44 am
Excuses, excuses. Theres always excuses when Baker doesn’t play well. Injury seems to be the media’s favorite and if he is injured, so what, he still played in the games.
Baker has been off since he got here. He can’t throw deep at all, hes not accurate and he has streaks of games where he disappears. That last drive against the saints he threw a near pick on 2nd down. Couldn’t even get the team to midfield.
Its not all on Baker and hes far from a scrub but hes an average QB with flashes of brilliance. His golden opportunity to prove himself was in the wildcard game but he got outplayed by a rookie. Its time to try something new. Why pay $50 million a year for an often injured 30+ y/o inaccurate streaky QB?
December 8th, 2025 at 8:45 am
Fire Todd
December 8th, 2025 at 8:49 am
He constantly underthrows open receivers deep. But yesterday, Mayfield didn’t drop the TD pass to Egbuka. He didn’t drop the pass to Godwin on fourth down. He did throw the low, lame pass to Otton to end the game.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:51 am
I hope the Browns shop Sheduer Sanders this offseason.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:52 am
Baker was definitely not the problem yesterday.
Prisco might wanna sober up when he drops columns like that…
The route concepts are pedestrian, and there’s no creativity to this offense whatsoever.
Godwin & Ebuka both dropped important passes yesterday. One to score & the other to keep a good drive moving forward.
Otton seems to have constant focus breakdowns…
Everyone is making mistakes….
The team has ADHD from the lack of discipline that Bowles has provided.
Bowles’s defense is a complex scheme that no longer works.
Grizzard as a playcaller is not ready for the role but he was handed a losing hand with all the injuries that’s piled up this year.
No more sugarcoating…..
Blow this coaching staff up!!
December 8th, 2025 at 8:52 am
Ive been saying for weeks, this is last season in Cleveland Baker. He is hurt. He was hurt during the Detroit game. You could see it in his face. He hasnt been the same since. This season is lost. The defense is not good enough to overcome the offense.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:53 am
Fire toilet Bowles and $hitzard 🗑️🗑️
December 8th, 2025 at 8:54 am
Baker is ranked near the bottom of starting NFL QB’s. He has been hurt I agree. But starting the game 8-8 and finishing 6-22 is ridiculous.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:54 am
Warren Brooks Lynch – I am with you on Sheduer and/or get someone in the draft from college. A young rising QB would do well with Baker mentoring them for when it’s their time to really play and to be able to play if Baker is hurt. I was hoping that Teddy may have been a help, but we really can’t count on it.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:55 am
the only thing close to being the reason for the bucs problems is consistency. whether it is offense or defense or special teams or coaching of any part, the problem is consistency. there isnt any, on any part of this team. up down up down. how do the bucs allow 3 points against the saints one game and then 6 weeks later allow 24?
the offense scored about as much in the two games. 23 in one and 20 in another. thats relatively consistent.
what happened to the defense yesterday?
December 8th, 2025 at 8:56 am
Blow it Up
December 8th, 2025 at 8:56 am
@ Warren
That would be interesting but I would be a little weary of the giant circus that would follow young “Prime” to Tampa…
But at least the kid can throw a decent deep ball.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:58 am
Talking about QB play after yesterday’s game is akin to rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:03 am
Baker is protecting himself because he cannot afford to take anymore hits
December 8th, 2025 at 9:04 am
We need him to play like he did with Dave Canales
December 8th, 2025 at 9:05 am
When we fix the coach issue then we can find other ppl to blame.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:07 am
So some of you are going to pretend that
1. Baker is not the singular reason why this team isn’t a 2-3 win team.
2. Baker didn’t singlehandedly carry this team on his back for 2 months and when he needed to be afforded a break (mainly due to injury), our defense turned back into a pumpkin
3. Our WR aren’t dropping critical catches in critical moments (EE has had a few costly drops, Godwin too, our TE being the worst culprit)
4. Our offensive coordinator is in way over his head
5. Our DC and HC is clueless and completely out of his depth (wth happened to early season Bowles who actually had some fire for once in his life?!).
Baker has not been great the past few weeks but you’d think the rest of the damn team would eventually step up but no, they are all sleepwalking. It starts and stops with coaching. I like Bowles as a person but he is not HC material
December 8th, 2025 at 9:10 am
“A young rising QB would do well with Baker mentoring them for when it’s their time to really play and to be able to play if Baker is hurt.”
1. Don’t think Baker would be much of a mentor to any young QB, tbh
2. We’ll have to do this whether we bring Baker back or not, as I don’t expect Bridgewater back next year. Meaning we, at some point this offseason, might not have a QB period.
3. Like that Bonnie Tyler song, whomever it is “he’s got to be strong, he’s got to be fast and he’s got to be fresh for the fight” 😂😂
4. Not much pickings in the project QB class for next season. There’s a few I personally wouldn’t mind, but they’re all project players and need work as pocket passers.
5. For those wanting Coach Bowles canned that’d almost be the end of Mayfields’ tenure here in TB should that happen.
LaNorris Sellers is probably my favorite athlete at QB collegiately, but as a QB he’s as polished as Anthony Richardson was so “eh”. Sellars needs to spend his entire draft process fine tuning hid mechanics and accumen as a pocket passer.
Arch Manning needs to incubate 1 more season at Texas, his name will get him drafted high but that’s the plot from a really good Eddie Murphy movie, that was based in Flordia called “Distinguished Gentlemen”(check it out, its’ still super relevant)
I like Mendoza(Indiana) & Moore(Oregon), but those two also aren’t guys I’d want starting year 1.
Maybe kick the tires on Trey Lance or Malik Willis in free agency, the one thing that’ll carry over into 2026 is we’ll still be pretty talented at the skill positions.
We should 100% be looking to upgrade our personnel at OG and push out some of the less talented depth at WR and/or TE.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:10 am
Change is coming, the Glazers are already behind the scenes contemplating a change. How deep those changes run we don’t know as of yet. Too much money is invested for the results that are being returned.
If no changes are made, imagine trying to renew or sell season tickets in the off season, the sales folks may starve..
If changes are made, it is time to pluck one of the up and coming OC ‘s from anther team rather than letting one walk out the door.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:10 am
The only damn reason the BUCS were ever in this season is because of the above average play of Baker Mayfield, who won games for us despite the really bad coaching, and the refusal to address team needs in the draft for 4 straight years, and the mistake of making Grizzard a play caller when he is clearlyvhe is in over his head. No pass rush, Todd’s schemes that don’t fool anybody but his own young players, a pathetic secondary, taking game momentum away with stupid decisions, tackling that my grandma could do a better job at because players know they will face no consequence no matter how bad they play. Baker told us what the problem is when he said there is no killer instinct, because Todd instills nothing in anybody, especially killer instinct. These are coaching issues. The Panthers and the Jags have greatly improved this season after hiring former bucks coaches. The BUCS have greatly regressed. That=? COACHING!!!!!
December 8th, 2025 at 9:12 am
The Egbuka drop was bad but so was the throw. An NFL QB needs to deliver a better ball to somone who is that wide open. The Godwin 4th down play was open earlier but Baker threw it late. Baker’s play is making everyone else’s job much more difficult. Perfect example was the low Cade Otton throw on 4th down. Baker is currently an inaccurate QB who is missing reads, and is skittish in the pocket. He plays with a lot of heart and guts but that means nothing if the overall play is bad
December 8th, 2025 at 9:12 am
Receivers aren’t separating and it is nonsense to think any QB always throws a perfect pass to high priced WR’s. Have said when Bucs picked EE in first round they got the 3rd best receiver at Ohio State. He is fine but he should have held on to that ball yesterday. Liked the fact that he owned the drop. CG bobbled an important 4th down ball on sideline yesterday. Football is not a game of perfect but all players are paid to make plays. Here is a well known football rule: If you get two hands on the ball, you ought to catch it.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:13 am
If you’re one of the ones who gave all the credit and praise to Baker during those first six games then you have to blame him for this one and several others. It’s the exact same thing. You cannot have it both ways, while continuing to make excuses for Baker. He had every opportunity to win that game yesterday, and came up short again. The throw to Otten was a straight up choke job. The pass to EE was typical Baker rushing it when he didn’t have to (when he had a clean pocket) and trying to throw it into a tight window when he didn’t have to. He threw it high and behind him like he consistently does. Instead of leading him towards the middle of the end zone where anyone would expect the ball to go and where EE was obviously heading to since there was literally no one there within 15-20 yards.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:14 am
Warren Brooks Lynch: Jason restructured/guaranteed Mayfield’s contract for next year at $30 million. I think that means a big cap hit if he gets launched so as Buc fans we know who will be under center in 2026 barring catastrophic injury.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:15 am
That would be interesting but I would be a little weary of the giant circus that would follow young “Prime” to Tampa…
@Marine
The only circus that follows him is the media, that turns his presence into a….circus. The kid really isn’t that eccentric or attention seeking, outside of the attention he gets for having an HOF dad. That’s also what people don’t like about him is that he’s kind of like his dad, w/o the generational athleticism.
I watched him throw a TD pass yesterday to Njoku, throwing off the back of his right foot(fading away) with perfect outside and away placement on the left side of the endzone and I squealed to myself “damn!” and fwiw, I think he’s much better from the pocket than our guy.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:23 am
Every other team has figure out both sides of the ball on this team it’s over there isn’t any saving this dumpster fire of a team and don’t even get started on the special teams it’s over. Can not wait for a clean slate next season and start to rebuild this team properly.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:23 am
I hope I am never in a battle for my life with you fair-weather fans who would now be happy to stick a knife in Baker’s back for Shadeur Sanders, who has not proven a damn thing in this league, from the same douchebag organization that screwed a Baker over so that he eventually ended up with the Bucs to begin with. SMDH. Baker might be able to complete a pass downfield if Grizzard ever allowed him to throw one, or if he had someone who could actually catch it, instead of dropping it.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:26 am
If you ever had any doubt about how much impact coaching has on players compare Baker under Coen vs Baker under Grizzard. The coaching on this team is so bad even Tristan Wirfs has struggled. That tells you all you need to know.
The Glazers are on the clock.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:28 am
First Last Says: “We need him to play like he did with Dave Canales.” Agreed. He, Mike and others helped Canales and Coen get HC jobs.
Warren Brooks Lynch – Agreed, Bridgewater won’t be back and there are slim pickings. However, remember Brady and some others, they were late in the draft. And Brady came in because of the lead QB being injured. As we get closer, we should see more names. Unsure about Archie. Thinking he is going to the Saints, maybe Cowboys if they don’t get there this season.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:28 am
Of course Mayfield is injured. Everybody saw it live. He is playing with a bum shoulder that affects his accuracy. He did the same thing in Cleveland.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:28 am
You need somebody better than Teddy Bongwater. I like the Saskatchewan rough riders QB. CFL contracts have,an out clause fit the NFL.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:29 am
Regardless of the Bowles debate, one thing is painfully, painfully obvious, which is that Grizzard is a JOKE. Whatever smoke and mirrors he wielded as an apprentice in previous years ain’t cutting it in the big boy shoes. Grizzard starts with a strategy each game that lasts about 2 drives, and then just freelances without experience. His play calling wobbles between predictable to nonsensical, and never captures the moment of what’s working. I’ve seen all I need to see from Grizzard. Or as one other poster said, $hitzard.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:29 am
The Bucs are averaging 13 points per game the last 7 games (since the Lions game).
Other than a 2nd half vs Rams, the QB has been Mayfield.
Injured or not, he has been hesitant, inaccurate and his decision making hasn’t been sharp.
Is some of that coaching? receiver routes? scheme? Probably, but scoring 20 points or less in todays NFL is not going to get you many wins.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:31 am
He looks super jittery in the pocket almost like he’s wanting to run every time. His feet are all over the place. It’s likely just him not trusting the backups to protect.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:32 am
The Panthers and the Jags have greatly improved this season after hiring former BUCS coaches, and the BUCS have greatly regressed. That=? COACHING!!! Baker is the only reason we were ever in this season, and he kept us in it with his above average play, despite bad coaching and the refusal to address team needs in the draft for the past 4 years. Blaming Baker for the loss is like blaming the scoreboard keeper when you lose. This team did not suddenly become bad. Nope. They are the same team we had in the first half of the season. This is a result of a poorly coached team who will not address team needs. They look poorly coached because they are! Bakery told what us wrong. They have no killer instinct because they are not coached to have killer instinct.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:35 am
Bucs will lose last four games as I said last week defense loses games n Bucs r toast season over mucho changes coming disPpointing ending
December 8th, 2025 at 9:37 am
Sick and tired of all of these Baker apologists who will never criticize him and are always making excuses. He has heart. Well lots of players have heart. And your point? So what. Get out.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:37 am
Durango 95 Says:
December 8th, 2025 at 8:58 am
Talking about QB play after yesterday’s game is akin to rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic
Exactly…well put.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:47 am
BM6 is playing hurt, we know that. Sure he could have done more… If EE2 catches the TD pass. And other very catchable balls thrown his way. If CG13 doesn’t bobble the ball at the sidelines during that late drive. If CO88 runs his routes a couple yards further up field especially during the late drive. If TJ15 continues to complete his routes especially the one that was intercepted.
Yes, BM6 could have done more! Then there’s the ST kick coverage…and the D!!!!
A complete TEAM effort in this loss, not unlike the past 3 games. Another poor performance from an unprepared team with skill players that don’t make plays when needed, fielding a defense and special teams that are poor at tackling and can’t contain the edges. And led by a HC that plays such a soft defense that all opposing QBs look like Heisman winners.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:47 am
After yesterday’s loss I was definitely heartbroken. But I’m not jumping ship, ever. I still love my Bucs and believe they can win the division.
This situation the Buccaneers are in right now is tough. The Thursday night game against Atlanta is a must win for sure. Can the Bucs win ? Absolutely.
The Dirty Birds are spiraling downward after the Seahawks cleaned their clock yesterday. Raheem Morris may not have a job much longer after the Falcons are now facing their 8th consecutive losing season.
At this point all the Bucs can do is come to work, practice hard on execution and hope that their incredible offensive talent will prevail against Cousins and the Dirty Birds.
Short week !! Let’s Go !!
Go Bucs !! Beat the Falcons !!
December 8th, 2025 at 9:49 am
No one is fooled by the unimaginative play design, running game and routes. The Saints and nearly everyone else we’ve played during this stretch know what’s coming on virtually every single snap.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:50 am
Firmly in the Baker is playing injured camp.
Didn’t he tell CBS at some point during the byweek that is was at 50% before the by? That stuff doesn’t fix itself in a couple of weeks. Bakers a gamer but he needs a supporting cast when he’s healthy.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:51 am
Bartow Bucs – Right on, go Bucs! Raheem is on the hot seat so this will be a battle game.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:51 am
All this contract extension talk from people does not make any sense at all but they continue to talk about it. You do know that he just signed one last off-season right? For 3 years and this one is still only year number one of it. There is no hurry or worry at the moment. That is the very least of our concerns at the moment. Talk to me at the end of next season at least about a potential contract extension for Baker. When he still has a whole other season yet to play out. Probably the worst thing we could possibly do for the franchise is to hand out a constantly banged up 33 year old QB to a 4 year contract extension worth over $200 million dollars. There has to be a complete reset to begin with. So we will see what happens with that first. There’s still a long ways to go before having to worry about Baker’s contract. That is one of the few things that is of no concern.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:02 am
“Talking about QB play after yesterday’s game is akin to rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic”
And not talking about is like rushing to catch a ride on the Hindenburg. Maybe we sign D.B Cooper as OC next year.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:04 am
I watched the Bears/Packers game. Those teams look like potential Super Bowl teams! They are prepared, well coached, and execute rather well! The Bucs …not so much! Glazers take note!!!
December 8th, 2025 at 10:05 am
The reset comes when Bucs draft Diego Pavia-the most underrated player in the upcoming draft.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:08 am
It may be time to consider all options. A complete rebuild. New coaching staff. Is Baker tradeable? Is there a better QB we could get for the future?
December 8th, 2025 at 10:10 am
Lickt and Bowles canNOT evaluate talent. Nor can they develop it. They draft safe on finished products. Not guys with huge upsides. They can’t develop it anyways, so I guess, then why draft it!? Am I the only one who never sees players improve while they are here!? They are stagnant and it is a stagnant operation and franchise. They’ve only just barely gotten by in a weak division with just ridiculously weak second half schedules, every year. I really loved the 2024 draft, but outside of that, I don’t know what the hell they’re thinking or doing. And, neither do they. But, just forget about free agency though… It’s been SO BAD there, even WORSE. So, I’m not even going to talking about that. Scared to make a move.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:14 am
We’ve been sold a ‘bill of goods’ concerning the overall talent level of this football team. EVEN, friggin’ T-Krass admitted THAT on WDAE last night! But, then as usual, only said that Bowles just had a bad day LoL.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:15 am
Unfortunately, this is on Baker. Just like our collapses in the playoffs the past couple of years. He is showing that when it matters, he can’t make plays.
Fact remains that we kept the saints to minimal scoring, and this offense could not produce. I expect baker to be a better play caller at the line on fourth down. You get some junk play from Griz? Can it and call the right play. You’re a vet and you know what to call
December 8th, 2025 at 10:19 am
“The reset comes when Bucs draft Diego Pavia-the most underrated player in the upcoming draft.”
Absolutely not, no more pipsqueak-ish QBs please. Paivia is a hell of a college QB, but so was Johnny Manziel. I’d rather take a flier on Nico Iamaleava or Sam Leavitt, we need a QB that can see over the OL and not throwing from a squat that turns 6’0″ to 5’9-10″. That and we need a QB coach and/or OC that can help a young QB refine their game.
Paivia isn’t underrated, he’s undersized
December 8th, 2025 at 10:21 am
Baker was not good. The connection with the WR and TE has disintegrated. Baker now is hurried and frantic and perhaps that is the offensive line fault. It needs to be figured out if he can be saved. The team is in need of rebuild.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:21 am
I remember a while ago someone saying on this site that you are not a true fan if you root for the team to lose. And on the surface that sounds like a logical comment. However I think a true fan looks at the big picture and the long-term picture.
Even if we went out and make the playoffs it is quite evident that this current roster and this current coaching staff is not a Super bowl contender. Another year of one and done in the playoffs all it will do is secure us the number one Division position giving us another extremely difficult schedule and a worse draft pick. Additionally and more importantly it likely secures at least another season of coaching by Todd “game has passed me by ” Bowles.
I think a real fan sees the real picture and knows that the only way this team will get better is with a real shake up. That starts with unfortunately blowing up this team to some degree:
1. Fire the coaches- special teams is a disaster. Defense is a disaster. While I am a bit disappointed with Josh grizzard I do give him a bit of a pass for the following reasons. He has been playing with a makeshift offensive line for nearly every game of the season. Baker Mayfield has been playing hurt for a good portion of the season, we have missed Bucky Irving for more than half the season. And we have missed the core trio of wide receivers that were expected to be large contributors for most of the season. Now yes I know other teams have done more with less, but for a rookie offensive coordinator not having an offensive line and missing all of your weapons and having an injured quarterback really limits what you can do. I am okay keeping him for another season. I would also keep the offensive line coaches because I think they have done a fairly good job given what they have had to work with.
2. Time to say goodbye to some beloved vets- I am quite certain that this was David’s last season. I think he chose to stick around because he saw a personnel that he thought could really contend for a super bowl. But after him bolting out of the locker room at the end of last game I think that signals the writing is on the wall and he will not be back. Mike Evans who I love and who I expect will retire as a buccaneer likely has at most one season more in him but I think the way injuries caught up with him this year it wouldn’t surprise me if he decides to hang it up as well.
3. Time to trade, cut, or not resign underperformers. I expect that unless he takes a cheap deal that Cade Otton, Logan Hall, Rachaad White will all be gone. Dean likely will be gone because he has been one of our only shining players on defense and like fools we rejigged his contract in a way that guarantees he will sign somewhere else for a lot of money when we could have had him for another season at a bargain. Reddick was a a13 million dollar gamble and will be gone.
Now this may be unpopular to say but I think we should look at trading Antoine Winfield Jr next season. He is not worth what he is being paid and is not look like the same guy from 2 years ago. If we can get a first round pick for him or a high second round pick I would jump on it. Same thing with Zion McCollum I think somewhere somebody might see his athletic skills and feel that his performance has been suboptimal because of the scheme he is in and might be willing to give us a third round pick. If we can get a third I would let him go as well.
4. Use off season and draft to fill voids-
Top 4 rounds should be:
1. Evans replacement (Big Body WR1) or Edge rusher if a top one is available
2. Interior DT to both pair with and eventually replace Vea ( Kansey Vea Roberts and new
DT sounds not bad up front)
3. ILB we need David replacement. We all hate on Dennis but I think he was used wrong.
He can Blitz and stuff the run but we need a coverage backer
4.Tight End
The order of those pics certainly could change depending on what talent is available in each round. If there really is a game changer at linebacker or the tackle then yes I would take them in an earlier round if possible but I think these are all positions where you can get value in the draft rather than overdrafting since linebacker tight ant and detachable are not typically as popular positions as quarterback wide receiver and CBS.
Free agency should be for getting a veteran lineman in the interior at guard or center and consider moving Barton to guard. Safeties tend not to be overly expensive in free agency and would get Winfield replacement if traded to pair with Tykee and Izien. Running back to replace white or re sign him cheap as well. I would also use free agency to try to sign and established Edge rusher given that we have not really developed one in many years though a new coaching staff might be different. This is the one place I would consider spending some money to do so. I would also use free agency to find another depth piece at corner with the expectation that Morrison will take over one position and if we lose McCallum then I would go for a high price corner in free agency as our other major signing.
I think should we not make the playoffs and draft somewhere around the 14th spot we could probably reload certain positions on the roster get the team younger and more aggressive mindset for a new coach that would be able to turn this team around probably within a season or two.
Finally and the last thing that I have not said but that could be the most important is while I love Baker Mayfield and the moxie that he has I am really not sure if he is a championship level quarterback. So while I would want to extend him I would make it a contract that had incentives in it to get it to the numbers that we would normally give to a championship quarterback and with ways of getting out of it should he not reach those performance measures so that we are not stuck with a heavyweight around the neck of the franchise because of a massive contract.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:24 am
I gotta say this is on griz for the reason that Cohen and canales both made baker look great because they knew what his strengths were and played him to them. Griz has no idea how to play with baker and the whole team is suffering because of it.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:31 am
Baker is probably injured. But Teddy is GARBAGE so a 50% Baker is better than a 100% Teddy. Teddy won’t be on any team next year. That’s on Licht. Licht has done a horrible job since Brady(the real GM) left.
The rest of the division is 71-121 since Todd took over. By far the worst in the NFL. We are just best of the crappiest division. Fools gold.
PLEASE GLAZERS, dump Arians, Jason and Todd. Bring in new blood. These guys suck and the game has passed them by. Jason Licht is a joke. Career loser. Todd is also a career loser.
DINOSAURS. FIRE THEM ALL!
December 8th, 2025 at 10:49 am
Baker looks like a top 10-15 QB and that type of QB needs a good D .. Baker is actually looking like his last season in Cleveland… No way give this guy a huge extension let him play out next year and franchise him ..He is always banged up and will be 32.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:52 am
Anyone with two eyes that could see, who was being honest, and who could think for themselves, KNEW that Cohen was the easy and obvious choice. That it had to HAPPEN. And, that it had to happen from the FO and ownership. It was 💯 all up to them. But, they were WEAK and thought that they could try holding him off for at least one more season by just offering him that weak-ass ‘top paid’ OC position. When, I said THEN, that they HAVE TO do ‘whatever’ it takes including up to replacing Todd Bowles if need be. They seriously, ‘thought’ that offer was going to be good enough LoL. It was up to THEM todo it. Cohen was in an impossible position… Hell, HE was never going to DEMAND the Bucs HC job, by stepping all over on Todd, the guy who only hired HIM and who he deeply respects. And, then the Bucs FO freaks the hell OUT when finding-out that Cohen was already talking to JAX. Desperately, trying to get ahold of him LoL. TOO LATE. They blew-it! And, we will be haunted by this one, what should’ve been an EASY and OBVIOUS move, for many years to come (also as I said then, at the time it happened). I was FURIOUS. So, they BETTER BE calling Jimmy Freakin SEXTON on Dan Lanning RIGHT NOW!!!! Cause, they CANNOT screw this up AGAIN. They MUST get-it right. After that one ‘magical’ season with BAKER, too (minus the turnovers of course, but Baker has put a special emphasis on that this season and there’s no reason to believe that he wouldn’t have under Cohen, as well)!? It was by far the best Baker has ever looked. They had something very special together, that will be awfully hard to duplicate. Just Mind-Boggling.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:56 am
They are in desperate need of a real Head COACH. Go look at Dan Lanning’s YouTube videos while at practice, during games, and pre (and post) game press conferences. He is VERY impressive. You would run through a WALL FOR HIM. 💯
December 8th, 2025 at 10:57 am
Keep Licht or you will be very, very sorry. We need to dramatically improve our ROSTER. Licht is the best guy to do that. As far as Bowles- don’t even think of getting rid of him unless you have a top 5-10 coach to replace him with.
December 8th, 2025 at 11:05 am
Warren Brooks Lynch Says: “A young rising QB would do well with Baker mentoring them for when it’s their time to really play and to be able to play if Baker is hurt.”
1. Don’t think Baker would be much of a mentor to any young QB, tbh
I was gonna say WBL, after reading that first sentence LoL… But, you got-it right! Yeah, Baker isn’t “mentoring” ANYONE to take HIS JOB. EVER. Cause, that is just NOT Baker. At all. And, that’s fine. It’s not his job.
December 8th, 2025 at 11:07 am
Licht is garbage. Overpaid Godwin. Signed Teddy. Signed Reddick. Drafted TERRIBLE. This team lack talent everywhere. Dline, LB, DBs, TE, etc etc etc
Lic ht sucks out loud and he is a career loser under .500 GM. And that’s with Brady being gifted to him(SF turned Brady down…we weren’t his 1st choice). Brady brought in a bunch of studs. They gone. Looks what’s left…a bunch of losers.
FIRE JASON LOSER LICHT!
December 8th, 2025 at 11:12 am
I DONT BLAME BAKER ONE BIT!!!!
i blame the coaching!!!!
if baker is struggling(or injured), why continue to have him throw the ball….
RUN THE FREAKIN BALL!!!!…
GO BUCS!!!!
December 8th, 2025 at 11:18 am
There are just soooo many people on here, with such ‘delusions’ when it come to Baker Mayfield. It is really mind-blowing, especially coming from ADULTS. It is some type of fantasy they are living inside of their own heads. He can do no wrong. EVER. Heeeee isssss puuuurrrfectttt, in EVERY single way. So, you SHUT UP about him. They want to accuse everyone and anyone of being a “Baker-Hater” and attack them over even the smallest little things!? When, you’re only trying to be level-headed, fair and honest about the guy! While, only treating HIM the very same way, that you do with literally everyone else on the team. But, it is NEVER Baker’s fault, and HE can never do ANY wrong. It is all SO strange. He is JUST a ‘professional’ ATHLETE. Nothing more. Nothing less.
December 8th, 2025 at 11:19 am
Tampa Bay Bucs Fan
I don’t understand! You said that although Baker is not the reason we are losing, he’s not helping us win. You then point out that he’s not being protected, the receivers are not separating and they drop passes. If true, then how can he help the team win?The only thing left that he can do on the field is scramble and run which he is doing at a high level. If anyone watched the Chiefs/ Texans game last night, the same things happened to Mahomes. The Texans completely neutered him, pressured him all night, sacked him, receivers were not getting separation and when they did either the pass was off due to the pressure or the dbacks separated them from the ball. The only thing he could do was scramble and run which he did multiple times. He probably had the worst game of his career. 3 picks, 0 td’s 160 yards and less than 50% completions.
December 8th, 2025 at 11:24 am
I’ve always been about context, and that this is a team game, and one guy can’t fix everything, but let me just say this, rarely do teams who claim to have a top 10 or even top 5 QB don’t allow their team to lose to inferior opponents, no matter the context, it just doesn’t happen that way, I just don’t care that Baker can only control one side of the ball. He can control and dictate that side of the ball, and sometimes it’s just about moving the sticks. Is this team that horrible around him?
I mean, this isn’t Pat Mahomes struggles in the bloodbath that is the AFC, Tampa is either barely squeaking buy inferior opponents, or are losing to them, Oh, who btw ALSO have injuries and stars out, AND those teams either have rookie QBs or Veteran backup QBs at the helm. It’s just unacceptable.
Is Baker really going to command $50M per season, are really going to pay that? This guy obviously needs a loaded roster or he can’t seem to beat teams that are playing for nothing. Fire Bowles won’t fix any of it, but if you want to fire him, take Licht with him. He’s overrated as a GM. No player accountability. No Alphas that can carry this team through it’s worst times. This has been the case post-Brady.
December 8th, 2025 at 11:38 am
Is Mahomes washed? Did he forget how to play the game? Did he lose his desire to play? I think the answer to all of those questions is no.Yet the Chiefs are in the same situation as the Bucs as far as possibly missing the playoffs. Maybe the talent level has dropped off a bit. Maybe Andy Reid is getting too long in the tooth. Maybe all the success has made them lose focus. So things right now are not perfect around Mahomes. But I always thought that there were some QB’s who could win championships even when things weren’t perfect around them. That is so much bs that people buy into. No QB can do it on his own. It takes everything to fall into place. Coaching, drafting, motivation, skill and some luck.
December 8th, 2025 at 11:46 am
I have liked Baker since Oklahoma and am still over the top that he is our QB. He was the perfect QB after Brady. And to think he has been through several HC and OCs in his career. Patrick Mahomes hasn’t. He’s been on one team with pretty much the same people. So what is the reason there?
If Baker goes, the coaches and GM would need to go too. A lot of staff would leave too. What about the training and medical staff?
Baker does seem to be having a hard time for awhile. Not just being injured, but maybe some other things are going on. There were some family issues about money. But in the end, it’s not just him. And like many fans, we have concerns and what happens when he is really hurt? Baker has been really lucky the way he zigs and zags. And on top of it; the other injuries, and bad ref calls or lack of ref calls on other teams. Rooting for Baker! So many other factors going on besides him. However, there does need to be some planning, what-ifs, and preparations for the future.
December 8th, 2025 at 11:46 am
Zoocomics,
So top 5 QB’s don’t allow their teams to lose to inferior opponents? What happened to the Rams against the Panthers. Stafford is the best QB right now they say and he was the sole reason they lost that game. And as constituted presently, with all things considered, the Saints right now are not inferior to the Bucs.
December 8th, 2025 at 11:49 am
Please, for the love of everything stop comparing Mayfield to Mahomes just because they both play QB. Two totally different sets of capabilities and styles of play, their track record in terms of their individual success translating to teams success isn’t even close and one was a first overall pick while the other has played like you EXPECT a 1st picked QB to play.
Stop this nonsense. If anybody had to start an expansion team in todays’ NFL, nobody is going to grapple/waste time choosing between those two QBs.
December 8th, 2025 at 11:51 am
Baker is allowed to have a bad game and not take the blame because his above average play was the the only reason this team was ever in it this season at all, and because he has pulled everybody else’s weight on this team all season. One bad game for Baker and you want to blame the whole season of crap coaching, not drafting team needs, , lousy play calling, zero pass rush, a terrible secondary, abysmal tackling, schemes that don’t fool anybody but our own young players, an overwhelming amount of injuries and dropped passes at critical moments, on him. Why not just be Cleveland Brown fans?
December 8th, 2025 at 11:52 am
Ask yourself this Bucs fans: do you want to Mayfield 50 million/yr and do you think Mayfield can win a Super Bowl?
December 8th, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Baker is allowed to have a bad game without taking the blame because his above average play is the only reason we were ever in this season at all. He has pulled the weight for this whole team, all season. One bad game for Baker and you want to blame the whole season of lousy coaching, not drafting for team needs, abysmal tackling, questionable play calling, zero pass rush, an awful secondary, schemes that don’t fool anybody but our own young players, dropped passes at critical moments, and an overwhelming amount of injuries, on him. Why not just be Cleveland Brown fans?
December 8th, 2025 at 12:06 pm
Baker has been playing hurt, and he’s not the one who makes that call. If you think he shouldn’t be playing, that’s on the coaching staff. Otherwise, unless you expect him to heal himself, I’m not sure what the grievance is. The critique that his style of play exposes him to injury is fair, but nobody seemed to mind when he was carrying the Bucs by putting his body on the line. If you’re going to criticize a player, that’s fine, but be consistent.
December 8th, 2025 at 12:09 pm
Timon,
Yes, I think that Mayfield can win a Super Bowl +if+ he can stay healthy. Whether he can do that with his style of play, I don’t know. If he can’t, as much as I love his play when healthy, I wouldn’t pay him $50M. The best ability is availability, right? Most of all in a QB.
December 8th, 2025 at 12:14 pm
The above average play of Baker Mayfield is the only reason the BUCS were ever in it this season. He has more than pulled his weight. Now after Baker himself had one bad game, some of you are blaming him for another lost season, but not the poor coaching, refusal to address team needs in the draft, abysmal tackling, bad play calling, zero pass rush, schemes that don’t fool anybody but our own young players, an awful secondary, dropped passes at critical moments, and overwhelming injuries, on him. Why not just be Cleveland Brown fans?
December 8th, 2025 at 12:17 pm
Hurt or not, the Baker Mayfield train is slowing down. We have to trust that hurt BM is better than any of our other options. But he is definitely underperforming. I’ll be there Thursday night cheering the Buc’s on….but I’m not expecting it to go well. Nothing over the past 4 weeks has shown us that the Buc’s are prepared. Maybe too many injuries, I get that. Much more disappointed in the defense. But this is why I think Bowles keeps his job at least one more year. Injuries and he does not have the defensive talent to run whatever his type of defense is…and unfortunately, he does not seem to ever adjust. Just keeps on expecting the players to be better.
December 8th, 2025 at 12:22 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch,
My post has nothing to do with comparing Mayfield to Mahomes as far as their respective talents are concerned. Everyone should know that there has never been anyone like Mahomes and that includes Tom Brady for sure. He’s the best ever imo. If you were to be honest with yourself, you know that I wasn’t doing that. I was simply stating that under certain circumstances, any QB will look mortal and that includes Mahomes!
December 8th, 2025 at 12:23 pm
Baker pulled this teams weight all season, and after he has one bad game, some of you want to blame another lost season on him, instead of the poor coaching, the refusal to address team needs in the draft, questionable play calling, abysmal tackling, schemes that don’t fool anybody but our own young players, an awful secondary, ZERO PASS RUSH, dropped passes at critical moments, game momentum taken away with stupid decisions, and an overwhelming amount of injuries. Yeah that makes sense sense 🙄
December 8th, 2025 at 12:27 pm
GUYS….he sucks ok. He is a sub.500 QB for his career and barely .500 here. I’m so sick of hearing about 2024. Yes, the offense was good and he had a ” good” year. It wasn’t not magical. You guys talk about it like it was 2007 Tom Brady. We went 10-7 and didn’t clinch the division/playoff spot until the last game of the season like we did before. Dak Prescott has had MULTIPLE seasons better then that with little to no fanfare. Even guys like Kirk Cousins have had seasons in that realm. I think that was the only year of his career he was good tbh. But it was nothing special. Like I’ve been saying, ANY veteran QB with 75,100 starts that play 17 games will put up stats, especially throwing 35 times a game. Look at Joe Flacco or Brissett. Brissett has 2500 yards with 4 games to go and didn’t start the season. Even last year, Baker got AlOT of garbage time yards when we played better team s when the game was out of hand like the Baltimore game where Godwin got hurt. There are too many excuses for him. I have Lamar,Burrow,Maye,Mahomes,Allen,Stafford,Goff,Hurts,Love,Darnold,Dak,Herbert. That’s 12 right there. Id bet you that any GM would take Purdy (5 years younger, SB QB) , Stroud,Nix,Caleb,Jaiden Daniels and even the much younger,bigger Trevor Lawrence over Baker. Hey,Lawrence has 3 winning seasons, same as Baker but Baker will be at 4 by the end of the year. So if you had a QB draft Baker at the earliest would go#19 and I’m giving him the nod over any guys from the class of 2025 and rookies from 2026. You hall have to remember Baker cannot play out of the pocket,he has to play ” chaos ball”. Since he entered the league he is absolutely one of the most inaccurate full time starters in the league. Last year he was 3rd in completion percentage, fluke, the year before that 19th. His rookie year he was 24th. Those are his TOP 3 years. The other years including this one, he is 26th OR LOWER. And Baker still is below.500 outside the NFC South since he got here. Nice guy and I know he has ingratiated himself in the community but to give him a suicide will sink this team like the Titanic. HE.NOT.HURT!!! He’s playing like who he is. He’s a journeyman. He has trouble seeing I er the line and can’t play out the pocket,hence so many times he has a clean pocket. He suffers from drops but what you all don’t speak of is he also misses guys that are WIDE open. 2024(overrated as it was) is the fluke, the outlier. This guy doesn’t have it. The guy is Sir choke AlOT. Playoff game in Cleveland,team has a chance to beat KC he throw 3 straight incompletions after throwing a BAD pick earlier on the game. A 5 point game. Our 2 playoff runs ended with him and his turnovers. In 2023 when the defense was solid and everyone was healthy he wasnt💩 really, even after a much better finish. PFF had him rated as the 19th best QB. I can’t believe he has a cult like following here. Like I said, last year the Commanders defense gave up MORE points than ours and a rookie QB LED them to 12 wins in a rough division and a NFC title game while the defense gave up over 35 PPG in the playoffs. I’m sick of excuses. Finding a younger, cheaper QB in the 2026 draft needs to be the TOP priority. If Baker name was Jason Smith it would be a no brianer
December 8th, 2025 at 12:58 pm
Its obvious baker hasn’t been healthy for several weeks. Was one of the worries I had coming into the season with his style of play. First if was the oblique and I think something with his wheels and then that other shoulder has to be in his mind. I don’t think he will feel himself until the off season. Losing his starting Lt didn’t help. It also doesn’t help that intermediate throws (his best throws) have basically been off the table for a while as well
December 8th, 2025 at 1:09 pm
All hands on deck Thur ,,, This game is crucial Fortnite breaker ,,,, of course if we don’t make playoffs there are some good OCs to pick from for HC ,,,, Griizzz play calls are so predictable ,, first down up the middle ,,, I want Bucs to make playoffs but ,,,, Bowles needs a DC ,,, a high strung rah rah guy,,, Bowles would be considered low stung like check his pulse to make sure he’s still alive ,,,,
That said ,, let’s get Big Mike back , JMac back and do some 4 wide sets
December 8th, 2025 at 1:11 pm
So if Mayfield is hurt RUN THE DANG BALL!!!! Yesterdays game against a bad team was screaming for a simple game plan even before it started raining. Run the ball, don’t do anything dumb, and wait for the Saints to beat themselves. The game plan and playcalling was atrocious yesterday.
December 8th, 2025 at 1:11 pm
Coburn: what makes you say he’s hurt? He’s one of if not the leading QB rusher in the NFL? You can go to pro football reference and see he is one of the most inaccurate QBs since he entered the league. You watch him play and see he not the stand tall(lol) stay in the pocket type. It’s more difficult on your body to run then it is to throw. This guy literally leads the league in excuses every year. Maybe,just maybe he’s ass juice and has held back yet ANOTHER team. You do know sometimes he has to avoid the sack because he STILL can’t read a defense and it seems to me he doesn’t have a quick release. 🚛Juice of a QB. Would have been nice to a stud QB on this team after old man Brady fell off that last year.
December 8th, 2025 at 1:30 pm
Well we know at the bare minimum he has a sprained Ac joint. That doesn’t heal within a few days. Its at bare minimum 2-3 weeks if very mild and that’s if you do nothing to aggravate it, which is a tall order for a qb. I’m not convinced his previous issues are 100% healed (oblique and something with his foot/leg) because their typically don’t heal too well when you take lots of hits every week either. A lot of guys in this league play banged up. He was far more accurate early in the year and last year. Of course protection and having your best receiver’s help.
People always underestimate what guys play through. Brady played his entire last season here injured. He injured his rotator cuff at he beginning of the year and didn’t complain about it so everyone just forgot about it and wondered why he struggled that year. I can tell you 100% a rotator cuff will not heal if you’re starting at qb every week in the NFL
December 8th, 2025 at 2:14 pm
Coburn: after the first 3 games against Atlanta,Texans and the Jets when YOU GUYS were hyping him for MVP,he was completing 61% of his passes when they got off to the 3-0 start. He had strong games against the Seahawks and 49ers. SF especially defensively was exponentially more impacted by injuries then us and 3/4 of Seattle dbs were out. But me,others and they fans don’t make excuses. That’s just our fan base. A loss is a loss. Aside from those 2 games Baker has been terrible. Remember the Eagles game when everyone was pretty healthy? He was 12/21 for 65 yards with 1 int at the half. We were down 24-6 at the half. Game over. He got some garbage time yards and TD passes to make the game look closer then it was. Detroit, he had under 50 yards at the half. He finished 28/50 for 228 yards on a 24-9 loss. Rams game. 9/19 41 yards,1 TD/2 int at the half. Seems to me gets exposed against better teams. Even those first 3 games he was BARELY passing for 200 yards a game. This is just who he is. In 2022 in Carolina he was the LOWEST rated QB in the league. He went 1-5 and that was with McCaffery at RB and DJ Moore at WR. The team was 7-10, but 6-5 in the games he didn’t play and 1-5 when he started. He’s inaccurate, not a winner and can’t play out the pocket. That’s never going to change. Whether you guys want to admit it or not he is on his last legs as a starter in this league. In 2-3 years he will not be a opening day starter in the NFL. Mark my words.
December 8th, 2025 at 2:29 pm
I blame the injuries on the O- line for some of Bakers play. Since the Detroit game I think the O-line probably caught up with him as well as injuries. Not many guys could do what Baker has done. Without Baker’s magic you could make an argument that we don’t win any of those first few games. Certainly the defense hasn’t helped at all either. When you feel like every game you play in is going to be a shootout there is a lot of extra pressure on Baker and the offense. Baker has some of the blame but there is plenty of blame to go around the rest of the team and coaching staff.
December 8th, 2025 at 2:30 pm
The reason the Saints dropped 24 on the Bucs was because of the Bucs’ giving them the ball the entire game at midfield thanks to inept special teams, Mayfield’s interception and 5 unsuccessful 4th down attempts. You can’t pin that entirely on the defense.
December 8th, 2025 at 2:38 pm
Cyber dilemma agree: the defense gave up 260 yards. Not all interceptions are created equal. We were up 10-7 when Baker threw that horrid pick and they took over at midfield. Sure,the defense could have held but damn! They score and changed the momentum of the game. A FG definitely put them away or even a good punt. Buffalo game. Had the lead Baker threw a pick next play and Josh Allen got a 25 yard field. Next play TD, BALLGAME.
December 8th, 2025 at 2:42 pm
BucfanDMV Says:
December 8th, 2025 at 8:20 am
“He’s been playing hurt and he won’t sit down and even give his body a chance to get healthy. That tells us a lot about the bucs back qb situation, you want us to believe Teddy couldn’t get the team past N.O. if that’s the case why is he even on the roster. As for Mayfield because the bucs qb play outside of D. Williams, B. Johnson and Winston 1 pro bowl year and Brady the qb situations here are always patch work. Mayfield plays reckless and he’s always going to play like that so the Bucs know that comes with his play style. I just don’t think it’s a recipe for success long term hence he’s been a journeyman QB, all that raw raw stuff etc ain’t helping now. Take his first read away and he struggles that’s always been the knock on him because he has to move around to make plays. The situation is what it is.”
Baker has played behind a very bad offensive line his whole NFL career. Everyone thought he was MVP material the first half of the season. So what happened? Look no further than that injury riddled offensive line that can’t stop a rush and can’t open holes for a running back. Id Baker hurt? Hell yes. He’s getting body slammed every time he tries to pass. Now he has a sprained ac joint in his throwing shoulder. They should let Teddy play now. I’m sure he will do well behind the crippled offensive line.
December 8th, 2025 at 3:05 pm
Bad OL in Cleveland: Joel Bitonio,perennial pro bowler. Future HOF. Jack Conklin made all pro first team in 2020 as did Wyatt Teller multiple time pro bowler and I think the center JC Tretter made all pro. I know he was there 4 years but his 3rd year PFF rated Cleveland OL#1 in the league in 2020 and I think they had some minor injuries and slipped down to #4 his last year there,2021. I have to disagree. They have been running the ball very well the last 5 games averaging 150 ypg/120 without his scrambling. See that’s what you Baker ppl do,just drum up narratives. When we got off to a 3-0 start he was barely average 200 yards per game and completing 61% of his passes. Remember,week 1 vs Atlanta he was 17/32 for 167 yards. He was garbage against Philly,12/21 for 65 yards on the first half with a pick as we were down 24-6 at the half. Even worse against Detroit where he had under 50 yards at the half. He needs 50 pass attempts to get 228 yards in 24-9 loss. I don’t WTF the MVP talk was. Popularity contest. Baker being a MVP is like Bronny James getting voted in as a all star. Stop being so disingenuous.
December 8th, 2025 at 3:24 pm
You’re not doing yourself any favors using the PFF tribe’s misinformation on offensive linemen. LOL
Much, much, much better to reference Brandon Thorn’s data.
December 8th, 2025 at 3:34 pm
The defense gave up TDs when the Saints started at… the Saints 47, the Bucs 48 and the Bucs 46. Only one drive, all day, did the Bucs defense give up points when starting from what would be considered a normal starting position, and that was still the Saints 39.
The defense gave up 260 yards, got a TO in Saints territory and made a stop to give the ball back to the offense with 2 minutes left and a chance to win the game.
The idea that defense was the issue yesterday is nonsense.
December 8th, 2025 at 3:47 pm
Rod Munch: if your defense gives up 260 yards total offense, gets a turnover and 3 sacks you will win most of the time. If you take that and add in running for 179 yards as a team, your win probability has to be like 95%. Your QB play was most likely putrid….and it was. Bucky, Godwin played and this dude was 14/30 for 122 yards. That’s intolerable. He had like 50 yards the last 3 quarters and we still had a chance to win. I’m angry and excited at the same time. This 💩era coming to a end. Hope is a great feeling
December 8th, 2025 at 4:06 pm
Erickson: Mayfield played very well most of last year and early this year. I would love to think it’s his injuries and lack of weapons but you might be right. I’d be very curious specifically to see what he looks like when Evans is out. That guy has a habit of making every qb he plays with look better. I know he had a nice game with Tez and Kam, but that is an outlier. It does make me worry about a future without Evans and outside of a couple Brady years his talent was so often wasted. It was him just making everyone look better
December 8th, 2025 at 4:12 pm
I blame Baker for all of it! The reason why? Baker if You don’t like the call,change it, Baker never audibles….Baker said he had more control of the offense, this year, I can’t tell……& this is the same quarterback to question Tom Brady’s tactics…..Gimme a Break!!! Let’s Go Bucs!!!!
December 8th, 2025 at 4:19 pm
Munch you are Batsh!tcrazy if you think you can not point a finger at this defense. This defense can be blame for all the losses. They give up big play after big play and with the middle of the defense on passing always open all the time and even rookie QBs can run around the edge untouched for 40 yard TD’s. What is more infuriating is the lack of hustle and tackling is pathetic. But go ahead and live in your dream world.
December 8th, 2025 at 4:20 pm
Coburn: his 2024 was good but Bradys 20&21 absolutely 💩on Bakers 2024. Jared Goff 2024 and even Sam Darnold 2024💩on Baker 2024. It was Baker best season but it was a 10 win season. That’s why Goff and DArnold places higher then Baker in MVP votes last year. They had monster numbers on 15 and 14 win teams in a monster division. Justin Herbert second year he threw for 5000 yards and 38td passes. Nobody talks about it because it was on a 9-10 win team and Her ert was in his second year. Baker got bitch slapped by a rookie QB in the playoffs who was playing on the road with a inferior team and worse defense. Yet he wikked then to 12 wins in n a rougher div and the title game. 2024 was Bakers lighting in a bottle. His ceiling is to back into the playoffs in n a weak division and every 3 or so years win a wildcard game. And that’s at his prime with AlOT of support. Hes trash bro. Liam just covered up the stench better then ANYBODY. All he can do is throw bombs and dumps. The best QBs carve you up with the intermediate stuff.
December 8th, 2025 at 5:02 pm
Erickson Cobb Carrier Says:
December 8th, 2025 at 3:05 pm
“Bad OL in Cleveland: Joel Bitonio,perennial pro bowler. Future HOF. Jack Conklin made all pro first team in 2020 as did Wyatt Teller multiple time pro bowler and I think the center JC Tretter made all pro. I know he was there 4 years but his 3rd year PFF rated Cleveland OL#1 in the league in 2020 and I think they had some minor injuries and slipped down to #4 his last year there,2021. I have to disagree. They have been running the ball very well the last 5 games averaging 150 ypg/120 without his scrambling. See that’s what you Baker ppl do,just drum up narratives. When we got off to a 3-0 start he was barely average 200 yards per game and completing 61% of his passes. Remember,week 1 vs Atlanta he was 17/32 for 167 yards. He was garbage against Philly,12/21 for 65 yards on the first half with a pick as we were down 24-6 at the half. Even worse against Detroit where he had under 50 yards at the half. He needs 50 pass attempts to get 228 yards in 24-9 loss. I don’t WTF the MVP talk was. Popularity contest. Baker being a MVP is like Bronny James getting voted in as a all star. Stop being so disingenuous.”
Why is it they are the doormat of the NFL every year regardless of who is the QB. The Browns have a history of injured quarterbacks so regardless of what their ranking is they don;t protect the QB.
December 8th, 2025 at 5:42 pm
The people who post here are idiots. Mayfield has been down anywhere from 40% to 60% of his starting Oline all season; he has been playing injured the last 6 weeks; and he gets to pass to a bunch of smurfs most of whom couldn’t make most other NFL teams. Even all everything WR CG dropped a perfectly thrown TD in end zone the week prior. The anti Baker fools would probably say he threw it to hard. When Mayfield scrambles it is because his receivers can’t get separation. Through it all he has 6 INT’S even though at least two of them were passes wrestled out of Otton grasp. This team and its coaching are a joke. Baker at least has made it entertaining. Don’t hear much from the INT grievance crowd these days. They just move on to some other complaint.
December 8th, 2025 at 5:57 pm
This mid-season slump happened with Tom Brady too. The only constant in every mid season slump has been Todd Bowles and his “culture.”
December 8th, 2025 at 5:58 pm
Canabuc… well written thoughts, thanks. And, thanks for not typing in caps everywhere.
December 8th, 2025 at 6:25 pm
So tired of reading moronic takes about how Baker is not a top five QB and things to that effect. No duh! Who said he was? You don’t need a top five QB to win a Superbowl.
What I’d LOVE to hear from all of these haters is which QB they would replace him with – you know, the “top 5” QB that they can just steal from some other team or draft out of thin air from one of the worst draft pick slots year after year.
Chances are, these are the same people who advocate tanking a season, or two or three in order to move up in the draft. Yeah, that’s a team I’m going to want to watch!
What you need to win a Superbowl is an offense and defense that, when combined, are within the top 10 in the NFL (e.g. #8 in defense,#12 in offense). More important, you need a VERY healthy team when the playoffs roll around.
December 8th, 2025 at 7:21 pm
Scotty Mack Says:
December 8th, 2025 at 6:25 pm
So tired of reading moronic takes about how Baker is not a top five QB and things to that effect. No duh! Who said he was?
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Are you new here?
December 8th, 2025 at 8:24 pm
Scotty Mack: I’m not a scout. I would know if a Andrew Luck or Joe Burrow is available #1 and you got the top picks you take him. I can’t really tell the difference between a QB that’s viewed as a top 5 or top 15 pick. What I do know is they all come from the same place…. The draft. Philly drafted Hurts when Wentz was 26 and coming off a pro bowl, 4000 yard,27td/7int division winning season. Alex Smith was 32 and successful when. kC moved up for Mahomes. Flacco was 33 when Baltimore moved up for Lamar. 5 years after a historic post season runs and a SB title, Baltimore drafted his replacement. It’s forward thinking. Rogers was 36 when Green Bay traded up for Jordan Love. You have to be a forward thinker.That should be THE top priority of the off season. A young guy will be cheaper for 2027 and by not keeping Baker you free up cap money. The experiment to see if Baker can succeed with the holdovers from the Brady era has FAILED.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:25 pm
Waste of ink. Baker is not the problem. Everything around him from his line, receivers, coaches, and support from special teams and defense sucks. He’s playing hurt and doing a marvelous job. Stop this nonsense.
December 8th, 2025 at 8:33 pm
Told you so: if your Bakers mom just say that. He’s marvelous and everyone else sucks…….really??? So lemme guess, ” another” franchise is screwing him over#4 right? Well maybe his 5th/6th team will “get it right”. I’d tell him don’t let the door hit you. Good MF riddance!
December 8th, 2025 at 8:34 pm
The excuses for Baker is crazy. Two weeks ago maybe three, Baker had a shot to win versus Buffalo despite the defense performance. I watched multiple times that game and others where Baker threw behind Cade Otten that cause the drive to end. Once cause Cade to turn around mid route to almost catch it, but ended up being a pick. Baker accuracy and ball placement are an issue in important drives. Plus, missing or not seeing wide open receivers as well. Not to mention holding the ball too long on short curls routes.
Points wins games no matter what the defense does. Injuries are a poor excuse because every team has injuries issues now.
December 9th, 2025 at 8:02 am
Not really expecting this to happen but how will the folks react should Baker and the Bucs score 35+ against Atlanta and still lose or score 21 and win? As for injuries, key members of this “potential “ SB team were not available and as the season progressed others have been hobbled with injuries leading to winning depending on second/third level players carrying the load for team success! Where expectations for success to high? A win against Atlanta will keep the door ajar, but a loss will have send fans and coaches alike heading for the nearest exit!
December 9th, 2025 at 3:11 pm
My guess is it’s his oblique that’s still bothering him. Having trouble pulling down on the ball in his follow-through on the top /side of the ball causing the front tip to be tilted high which makes passes float deeper than intended. Hope it clears up soon and all his stud targets come back this coming game to give us a chance against Atlanta!