Baker Mayfield Explains Game-Ending Pick
December 21st, 2025
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield.
Baker Mayfield appeared on the Buccaneers Radio Network after the game and explained what he thought happened on the game-ending (season-ending?) interception late in the loss to the Stinking Panthers.
You can see on the replay from the Bucs’ end zone angle that Mayfield had to avoid traffic and briefly moved before launching the pass off-balance.
He was trying to get the ball to Mike Evans. It was a classic not-on-the-same-page play. Mayfield threw left, Evans broke inside to the right of Mayfield.
Mayfield said he thought Evans was under the impression Mayfield was going to scramble. Apparently, when a quarterback scrambles, Evans was supposed to break off his route and run to a different spot.
Mayfield made it clear he could fully understand why Evans thought he was going to scramble.
That’s two straight games to division rivals, lesser teams, in which Mayfield has thrown an ugly interception in the fourth quarter.
Those two losses likely will cost the Bucs not just a playoff berth, but perhaps more important to the bean counters at One Buc Palace, cost the Bucs a home playoff game and the millions of dollars in revenue that comes with it.
That tends to get people’s attention rather quickly.
December 21st, 2025 at 5:35 pm
AT THIS POINT WHO CARES
December 21st, 2025 at 5:36 pm
Blessing that this team is not going to be in the playoffs
Bad football all year
Consistently inconsistent!
December 21st, 2025 at 5:37 pm
15 days until the firing
December 21st, 2025 at 5:38 pm
Evans deep down must be so pissed with bakers play. Not to mention baker ruining his 1000 yd season streak.
December 21st, 2025 at 5:38 pm
Baker is good for a turnover in the 4th quarter when the season is on the line.
Lions in the divisional round
Commanders in the wildcard round
Last week vs the Falcons
Today vs the Panthers
He doesn’t have it. You don’t get to your 4th team and be in your 30s and all of a sudden turn into a phenomenon.
Its time to move on.
December 21st, 2025 at 5:39 pm
I am so depressed, That I just Mayfild to shut up!
December 21st, 2025 at 5:39 pm
New offensive minded head coach. New defensive coordinator. A fresh start is badly needed.
December 21st, 2025 at 5:40 pm
I think this game was lost by coaching making a huge mistake with the game plan……this sounds like a Bowles idea….ground and pound….keep the ball away from Carolina because of his awful defense.
The last play was simply a bad ending for a bad plan.
December 21st, 2025 at 5:40 pm
First 3 points for the Panthers came back to bite us in the ass again.
December 21st, 2025 at 5:40 pm
The worst thing that could happen to this team is if we somehow still win the division and that’s enough to bring Bowles and his staff back next season.
Need to hope the Panthers win and keep us from the playoffs.
December 21st, 2025 at 5:40 pm
10 days off and this is the best you got??? This team ain’t going to the playoffs, and if they do, they’ll be blown out by the Seahawks or rams
December 21st, 2025 at 5:40 pm
Good News: Ducks won. They’ll beat. Texas Tech in Florida.
Feel free to hop on the bandwagon. I feel the Bucs will draft 1-4 players from this team.
December 21st, 2025 at 5:40 pm
Seattle vs Texans in Superbowl
December 21st, 2025 at 5:41 pm
The Yucs are back.
This season reminds me of 2011 that got Raheem fired.
We’re either the Yuccaneers right now or the Suckaneers. You choose
December 21st, 2025 at 5:41 pm
I’m tired of claiming that we are losing to ‘lesser’ teams. Sorry, but WE are the weaker team. At this point of the season we are the worst team of our division as far as I can see.
December 21st, 2025 at 5:41 pm
F this team until we have a new coach, QB, and OC.
Bye season.
Fall from grace to remember for a lifetime.
MVP talk and #1 in power rankings to worst in the worst division in football.
Losers. Clowns. Not pros. Sorry.
December 21st, 2025 at 5:42 pm
The Bucs are an extension of excuses, over his head, loser head coach. Clean house, include idiot Jason.
December 21st, 2025 at 5:42 pm
We done boys. Losing next week too.
December 21st, 2025 at 5:43 pm
Panthers lose to Seahawks(probably). Bucs beat Miami.
Then its a reset and we are back to where we were today.
Saying its over is just not true.
December 21st, 2025 at 5:44 pm
Anyone actually believe the Bucs are a playoff team?
December 21st, 2025 at 5:45 pm
wow, never saw this collapse happening even with terrible coaching.
December 21st, 2025 at 5:46 pm
It’s over. Have you watched this team? Anyone who says otherwise is in denial. Bucs SUCK
December 21st, 2025 at 5:48 pm
This team is like deer that jumped out in front of a car and got hit. We’re on the ground suffering in pain and can’t get up. We need someone to pullout their pistol and put us out of our misery. It’s really that bad
December 21st, 2025 at 5:48 pm
Not lesser teams Joe. They are equal or better
December 21st, 2025 at 5:50 pm
Everyone on the Fox pregame show was right. Guarantee nobody picks us to beat Miami.
December 21st, 2025 at 5:51 pm
It’s a bad pass no matter what, never should have thrown it. If you are throwing to a spot you are expecting a receiver to break to, you shouldn’t be throwing it to an interception if they aren’t on the same page.
Well he shoulda armed himself…
December 21st, 2025 at 5:54 pm
Bucs haven’t been a playoff team since BA left we’re just in a trash division. It’s pretty freaking stupid to be afraid of being worse than mediocre. No one in the nfc south has an offense like us. Fix our front 7 with a new coach. This would be one of the top teams in the nfl without Bowles. We were already there this year with these same players
December 21st, 2025 at 5:56 pm
No beans!!!!! They planned on the beans. We are sposed to bring the beans every year with a 50/50 record….They deserve to lose the beans.
December 21st, 2025 at 5:56 pm
You can see it coming. The stage is being set for the fans to turn on Baker thus giving him the “opportunity” to ask for a trade. This keeps Jason in the clear. Now the owners are set for the tear down and rebuild and big salary purge. After that comes hopeium.
December 21st, 2025 at 5:58 pm
Baker’s back doing commercials and back throwing gaming losing INT’s! And toilet bowls still floating in in the toilet.
December 21st, 2025 at 5:59 pm
Don’t know what Mayfield is talking about. He had the ball in his hands with Evan’s back to him and Evans was trying to break right, not left. There is no chance Evans was going to be anywhere near that pass, even if he saw what was happening. There was no one within 15 yards of the DB he thew it too. I mean if you didn’t know any better, you’d think Mayfield threw the game on that pass. And it was every bit as bad as any interception ever thrown by Winston in his time with the Bucs. Talk about a full on regression. I think Grizzard has quite a bit to do with it too. No downfield over the top throws, no complementary use of play action in the first half when the Bucs were moving the ball on the ground. Just an offensive debacle.
December 21st, 2025 at 6:02 pm
Bucs lose next week again….so does Carolina. Meet final week for division at home. Crowd of 35k show up as we lose and Panthers celebrate on our home field. It’s sooo clear.
And to be honest….imagine the beating we’d take on national tv in playoffs against anyone. Losing is a blessing. Panthers deserve it – we can’t beat our way out of a bubble.
December 21st, 2025 at 6:03 pm
Might just be fate at this point we don’t want excuses either you win or you lose baker is turning out to be a loser
December 21st, 2025 at 6:07 pm
Bowels has had players the last 4 or 5 years that were able to win the division in spite of of no coaching! When actual coaching is required he fails miserably! That’s why we don’t make it past the first round!
FIRE BOWELS! OC, DEFENSIVE COACHES!
December 21st, 2025 at 6:08 pm
Nobody cares bro
……you’re not baking anymore either
December 21st, 2025 at 6:19 pm
Winston would throw for 370 yards, 4 TDs, but throw a pick in the second quarter and people would blame him for the 35-31 loss. Baker literally loses three division games in a row when he had the ball in his hands and a chance to win the game or put it away and he fails – and nothing is his fault.
December 21st, 2025 at 6:20 pm
Maybe less commercials and more time on the practice field for Baker.
December 21st, 2025 at 6:24 pm
The gods of Vegas running through Baker’s mind!! if you watch that play , he threw it right to the corner?? Some things fishy
December 21st, 2025 at 6:24 pm
At age 31 Baker will be back to bake. If he’s baking for someone else….. Well on to the next forum!
Anyone blaming the whole spiral this year is making a mistake. Period.
December 21st, 2025 at 6:27 pm
Yes, Baker blew it. It is his fault.
And yes, you are only as good as your last deed. Does not matter that he won 3-4 earlier this season. Baker cannot win the big game.
It’s time to move on again. From Bowles. From most of the Defense starters. From Baker.
Otherwise, they are just delaying the inevitable.
December 21st, 2025 at 6:30 pm
Baker is not playing well enough to earn the bag, nor win. His last 6plus weeks are bad. He’s had the ball at the end of games with a chance to win it and hasn’t gotten it done. I’d still see what next year holds.
December 21st, 2025 at 6:39 pm
Munch. 90% of what you call Baker Bois put this on him. What are you crying about now. Or are you crying just to come here to cry? You got your wish. He threw the interception and it is being acknowledged.
December 21st, 2025 at 6:43 pm
Joe,,, WTH you talking about writing “Lesser Teams.” You have no clue if you make that outrageous statement. Panthers and Falcons have more athletes all over the field. Especially defensively, and significantly better head coach Let Lee handle the writing.
December 21st, 2025 at 6:45 pm
ANybody who thinks that last interception was on Mayfield is nuts. Obviously Mike Evans broke off his route without looking back at his quarterback. None of these teams in the NFC South deserve to be in the playoffs. If this was soccer they would be in Divion III. The real tragedy is these games give oxygen to Mike S. and Rod Monk’s dementia issues.
December 21st, 2025 at 6:46 pm
`OK you Baker haters. Who is replacing Mayfield? Rod Munch?
December 21st, 2025 at 6:46 pm
Winston had 5 years to prove him self and never made the playoffs. Don’t play the pity card Munch. It probably was Evans going to the scramble option prematurely. Baker made the playoffs each of his first two years and destroyed the Eagles in one playoff game. if the issue was Winston being unfairly blamed in Tampa why has,he not thrived verses here? Baker had success in Cleveland and was unfairly blamed by Stefanski who needed a scapegoat. But he went on to succeed 2 years elsewhere. Winston has not.
December 21st, 2025 at 6:57 pm
Baker has done a masterful job playing himself out of a contract extension. I’m grateful we’re not on the hook for BIG $ over the long term right now.
December 21st, 2025 at 7:14 pm
With a good system and O-line, Baker threw for 41 TD’s and 4k yards last year. He’s SOMEhow lost his skill? Don’t be stupid
December 21st, 2025 at 7:16 pm
DBS Says:
December 21st, 2025 at 6:39 pm
Munch. 90% of what you call Baker Bois put this on him.
———
LOL!
Literally fake news – every single Baker Boi is blaming Bowles, the line and Evans. If you’re blaming Baker and admitting he lost the game – then you’re not a Baker Boi. So congrats on not being a sycophant.
December 21st, 2025 at 7:20 pm
Marky mark Says:
December 21st, 2025 at 6:46 pm
Winston had 5 years to prove him self and never made the playoffs.
———
Playing HOF Brees, HOF Ryan and MVP Newton while literally having the worst defense and worst kicking game from 2015-2019 while playing the hardest schedule from 2015-2019 is quite a bit different than winning the NFC South by just showing up.
Also the point was the hypocrisy of the “fans” now claiming nothing is ever Bakers fault – where as with Winston it was always his fault no matter what happened.
Also the same people early this season repeatedly saying Baker won the games all by himself now claim he’s a victim of everyone else and he can’t do it alone.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:05 pm
There is only one team in the NFL right now that we are capable of beating and that’s the Raiders.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:07 pm
clean house draft qb
December 21st, 2025 at 8:10 pm
Rod Munch: In your opinion, as of right now, is it worse to be Baker, or a Baker fan? (Got my helmet out for this one!)
December 21st, 2025 at 8:13 pm
winning has a lot to do with the qb- you could argue he has lost us a lot of games- we probably need to keep him 1 more year while we draft a qb
he misses open wr’s on 3rd down he’s taking sacks- after playing good for 2.5yrs hes really inconsistent, his low passes in the dirt are kiling us! I like Baker but he’s not winning games for us like franchise qb’s do!!
December 21st, 2025 at 8:14 pm
Baker is TRASH!!!
December 21st, 2025 at 8:16 pm
Blah, blah, blah…the entire coaching staff needs to be fired!
December 21st, 2025 at 8:18 pm
Hate-Baker guys: Don’t you remember last year? Coen & Mayfield? Duh?
December 21st, 2025 at 8:21 pm
were like the 2-14 80’s teams we dont win again this year
December 21st, 2025 at 8:38 pm
Yeah Coen, is doing so well because he has a QB….
December 21st, 2025 at 9:17 pm
Mayfield will always take the blame and give the credit to others, He’s a QB’s, QB.
Evan’s F’d up, pure and simple. Stupidity is infectuous on this team.
December 21st, 2025 at 9:26 pm
A video on ESPN from behind Baker on that interception shows that it was solely the fault of Baker. Evans had already changed direction back to the center of the field before Baker started to throe the INT. Baker could have run or just thrown the ball out of bounds. Baker threw it straight to the DB.
December 21st, 2025 at 9:26 pm
For starters, let’s not act like drafting a QB is that simple. We had THE #1 PICK and both Winston and Mariota have flamed out. Where is Trask? Mayfield was a top pick as was Bridgewater. I’d rather see if we can find someone to get Mayfield back on track until we’ve got a proven commodity on the bench. Mayfield reminds me of Alex Smith….hes a capable game manager with the right system but he’s got a ceiling.
December 21st, 2025 at 9:45 pm
Bobby. When we had Winston it was Mike Evans and nothing else and he never had a real running game after his rookie year. Jamies never had a game where we ran the ball 30 times like Baker and Brady had . Jamies was asked to throw 45 to 50 times a game up the field and we were ranked top 5 offense with a 32 ranked rushing game. With these weapons a rookie would be in a good situation to develop. Baker ain’t it at this point of his career he chokes late in big games. He’s 1-9 in prime time games that’s not a franchise quarterback.
December 21st, 2025 at 9:51 pm
Drd . You Baker fan boys just need to give it up it’s a reason why he’s on his 4th team and it showed today again just like the playoff game against Washington he fumble the ball and put the defense on the 12 yard line . Just like against the Lions he threw a pick and lost that game. The cowboys game he fumble the ball late in the 4th quarter this year against the eagles he threw pick and lost that game. Against the falcons he done the same thing and he couldn’t close out the saints. Baker is not a franchise quarterback rather y’all like or not.