Todd Bowles’ Smartest Move
January 17th, 2026
“Get healthy, Baker.”
Joe has noticed some readers think Joe is on the take for Bucs coach Todd Bowles. Ha!
(Joe can assure you folks who have offices in the mid-to-high-level reaches of One Buc Palace sure don’t think that way.)
Heck yes, Joe’s been critical of Bowles. Anyone who thinks otherwise is dreaming. Almost weekly Joe has to reach for either sedatives or Pepto Bismol, or both, watching Bowles’ defenses.
But Joe also strives to be fair. For example, Joe thinks the criticism of Bowles’ calm demeanor is garbage. That has never been and never will be a tell if a guy is a good X’s and O’s dude. If anything, Joe admires stoicism on the sidelines as opposed to a cartoon character like Chucky.
However, where Joe will give Bowles props is his sales job on Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to sign Baker Mayfield prior to the 2023 season. It was one of the smartest moves in franchise history.
Where would this franchise be if it turned to Kyle Trask after Tom Brady retired for good? And before Mayfield fell off the map with his play this past season, he absolutely carried the Bucs to a 6-2 start.
The numbers released by the Bucs media relations department demonstrate what an impressive decision it was by Bowles to campaign to sign Mayfield. Only Jared Goff has more touchdown passes since the start of the 2023 season. And only Matt Stafford and Goff have more passing yards in the same time frame.
With the Bucs, Mayfield has become a top-shelf quarterback. Well, until the late-October bye week.
What happened to Mayfield in the second half of the season is unclear. If Joe were Team Glazer, Joe would have to wait to see how Mayfield bounces back in 2026 before Joe would drop a bag in his lap.
But damn, there is no quarterback in the league with the possible exception of Pat Mahomes with better intangibles than Mayfield.
And Joe maintains Bowles leading the charge on signing Mayfield might be the best thing Bowles has ever done for the franchise aside from his famous gameplan in February 2021, the one that shut down Mahomes and the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
Joe only wishes someone at One Buc Palace would do a sales job on Bowles about the joys of having a stud edge rusher the same way Bowles coerced Licht to sign Mayfield.
January 17th, 2026 at 12:06 am
well, how did the McDaniel interview go?
January 17th, 2026 at 12:08 am
Bucs4Ever…
Right?
Wassup with all the crickets?!
January 17th, 2026 at 12:11 am
How have the interviews been going? Been crickets around here..
January 17th, 2026 at 12:21 am
3rd & 28
January 17th, 2026 at 12:23 am
So in 2 years Baker has led the league in turning 3rd downs into first downs, nice.
January 17th, 2026 at 12:25 am
Chirp chirp, lol. Baker is what makes our team exciting. I’m hopeful Mike will come back and we sign a really good OC named McDaniel.
January 17th, 2026 at 12:26 am
If we fired Bowles right now, you’d think we’d be nearly guaranteed McDaniel as our next HC.
We have almost the same opportunity as last year, a shot at a young, top notch offensive mastermind to lead the team th next 7 years. We have the chance to redeem last year’s mistake.
January 17th, 2026 at 12:29 am
Where is Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson & Joe Burrow, you know the “great” quarterbacks? Yes, they all are less than BM6 in those top two qb stats. Let’s get rid of that guy because he plays hurt when he HAS to, for the team.
January 17th, 2026 at 12:31 am
3rd & 28 says 3rd & 28 lmao
January 17th, 2026 at 12:33 am
Hopefully we will get a very good quarterback coach as well.
January 17th, 2026 at 12:45 am
As “bad” as Baker played in the second half of the season when you take into account his stats on interception percentage, pass completions, passing touchdowns, interceptions, passing and rushing, completion percentage, longest pass, and quarterback rating this is where he ranked with the following quarterbacks:
1-Josh Allen
2-Baker Mayfield
3-Brock Purdy
4-Patrick Mahomes
5-Lamar Jackson
6-Joe Burrow
So maybe he wasn’t as bad as we thought he was.
I just wonder if he would have had a healthy offense how good he would have been….
January 17th, 2026 at 12:47 am
But what was done with it this year with all the injuries that defense needed to step up when they were the healthier unit but what we got to see was confusion from the entire team leading to embarrassing losses.
January 17th, 2026 at 12:54 am
Even with Mike and Chris and Tristan and Luke and Cody and Ben and Bucky and Jalen not able to do their jobs this year. They failed the offense. Without them Baker was voted by his peers as a pro bowl alternate. That’s an honor. 26 tds and 3700 yards with 11 picks. Carrying a bunch of rookies and practice squad stiffs and a rookie play caller with fear in his eyes. Yes sirree Joe. Be stupid to pay him early. But stupid for who would be the question to ask.
January 17th, 2026 at 1:09 am
Oh yeah. And all you Baker bashers. Those 4 games that Baker singlehanded lost? With any other QB in the league our team of offensive scrubs would not even have been in the game except for Baker getting us in the position to win. I was on vacation Joe but I’m hooked on reading JBF. And I figured when you tired of smacking Bowles while he was down Baker would be next. But that’s how it should be. Head Coach and QB. Those 2 Have to be the responsible party. And they have this year to fix it.
January 17th, 2026 at 1:19 am
Yes Mayfield is our first quarterback in franchise history to have multiple pro bowls invitations. When he has a healthy team and isn’t injured himself he is definitely a top 5 quarterback. Heal up BM6.
January 17th, 2026 at 1:38 am
The words Bowels and smart don’t go together in any way.
January 17th, 2026 at 2:02 am
The only thing signing baker has done is delayed his firing and prolonged the mediocrity thanks to his defense. If that’s the issue with the team you’d think that would be an easy fix for him huh
January 17th, 2026 at 2:10 am
I agree with the “cartoonish” thing with head coaches. It can really wear and get off FAST. It just becomes all about THEM, like they’re putting on a show. Ya know, it’s all fine and dandy, as long as they are WINNING. But, I still like a head coach who actually “COACHES,” and can at least TRY to coach some guys up every once in a while, like, Saban and Dan Lanning.
January 17th, 2026 at 2:11 am
*old – get “old” FAST.
January 17th, 2026 at 2:20 am
Why is a Pat’s Pod cast on a Bucs site?
January 17th, 2026 at 2:23 am
Better turn those comments off, that guy is THE worst smh, definitely on the take for that steaming pile of pod cast.
January 17th, 2026 at 2:27 am
I wouldn’t be all that concerned with the “interview” right now. I mean, WHO CARES. It’s going to be whoever it is! There are STILL ‘EIGHT’ Head Coaching Jobs left to FILL. McDaniel has already taken SEVERAL Interviews, including for HC. So, come on. There’s just NOT going to be any “news” for AWHILE. So, chill. We’re not even to the Conference Championship Games yet!!!! I mean, the odds we even come CLOSE to getting McDaniel, are not much better than what the Bucs Futures SUPER BOWL Odds for next season would be. Lmao. I would not waste ONE-SECOND even thinking about that, much less worrying over it. It’s an Adult Bucs Fantasyland, I tell you LoL.
January 17th, 2026 at 2:28 am
Bowles sucks !
January 17th, 2026 at 2:29 am
“ I’m hopeful Mike will come back and we sign a really good OC named McDaniel.”
I mean, get it outta your head. Geez. It’s NOT happenin.
January 17th, 2026 at 2:35 am
Attaboy Says: “So maybe he wasn’t as bad as we thought he was.
I just wonder if he would have had a healthy offense how good he would have been….”
Ummmm… But, Yeah HE WAS. Delusional, or just a Troll. Everyone else has EYES.
January 17th, 2026 at 2:46 am
KS Says: “Baker was voted by his peers as a pro bowl alternate. That’s an honor.”
Yeah, because he was only one of the very few non Playoffs QB’s, who was still left standing. And, wasn’t Jameis an alternate once, when he was a ROOKIE!? A Pro-Bowl alternate isn’t SH!T nowadays. Just look at some of the JAG’s that have played in that game over the past 10-years, or so. Hell, it’s all they can do to get guys to even play in it! And, it hasn’t meant anything in a long time, & most guys would prefer not playing in it anyway… Hence the reason so many opt-out.
January 17th, 2026 at 3:00 am
Joe on the take or not wanting what’s best for the Bucs is the most ridiculous statement ever lol.
Before JoeBucsFan started we had basically nothing. Bucs site, tbo and pewter. Scott Reynolds has always done a good job. I miss the Big Dog on radio. I miss Steve White. I miss Roy perfect hair and he was fair. But no one since the internet came about has covered our team more fairly and completely than JBF. Why would Ira be here if not. The Joes are more diehard fans than all of us put together. I know they had dreams when it started but neither one of them thought it would blow up like it did. They live the Bucs, breathe the Bucs, Gambled everything including their careers on this site. If that’s not the Biggest Bucs Fans there are, then I’m just stupid and blind. This is the only one place I get Bucs news, because my time is ever so valuable and little of it is free. I’m thankful since day 2 or 3 whenever I got here. But the Glazers owe JBF more thanks and gratitude than anyone. Who has done more to promote this team in the last close to 20 years? What was it 2008???
January 17th, 2026 at 3:10 am
With this ownership one thing is certain – Last place in the division/2026
January 17th, 2026 at 3:15 am
MJ, you can try to diminish it all you want but it’s on the books and you can’t take it away regardless of the fact that it doesn’t mean what it used to mean.😉
January 17th, 2026 at 3:18 am
He didn’t have a Baker year like his last two but neither did the qb’s I listed. Even with his bad year he did better than the 4 below him. He most definitely did better than Mahomes in every category, so…there’s that.
January 17th, 2026 at 3:27 am
I still like watching Bakers MVP series of plays in the 49ers game when it was 3rd & 14 and Baker got by 5 tackles and ran 20 yards for the first down and then threw a 50 yard td. That will never get old. 😋
January 17th, 2026 at 4:39 am
Right on, Joe. Baker was the perfect QB after Brady. Fans in Cleveland still loved him too. He is that kind of guy. Baker is the guy that has been through several OCs and still keeps going. Three of them with the Bucs. We do need a strong edge-rusher too. More protection for him too. In my opinion, we need a strong back-up QB too. We could never trust Kyle or Teddy to take the reigns.
Bucblind II -Agreed. I also watched the pro-bowl and Baker is a hoot. Players and everyone else love him. He even sat at the big table with the hosts, and won MVP. In his future and after playing, I could see him as a sports analyst.
Kenton – Good to see you back. Enjoy your vacation!
January 17th, 2026 at 4:54 am
3rd & 28 full stop 🛑
January 17th, 2026 at 4:57 am
Have we heard from the family or the Gm after the season?
January 17th, 2026 at 4:58 am
Get in the podium like the owner from the colts
January 17th, 2026 at 4:59 am
Tell the fans why 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤙🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
January 17th, 2026 at 5:37 am
On the take?! Wow! They must take you literlly when you write about the sprawling world headquarters of joebucsfan.com LOL Geez! The conspiracy theorists are alive and well. Maybe they should be looking at one or two of the other sites and get a clue… Not to mention the slap in the face of Ira! That kinda ticks this fan off as well. Keep up the good work Joe!
Go Bucs!
January 17th, 2026 at 6:23 am
Unfortunately, Bucs QBs fall into two categories: Forgettable and Hard to Remember, the exceptions being Brady, Williams and Johnson (who is almost in the hard-to-remember class).
Forgettable: Testaverde, Dilfer, Freeman, Winston and Leftwich.
Hard-to-Remember: Young, King, Griese, Sims, Gradkowski, Garcia, McCown(s), Glennon, Trask and Leftwich.
I hope Baker makes it to the exception class — thought 2025 was his year 🙁
Maybe we should have kept Josh Johnson — he could a been a Forgettable!
January 17th, 2026 at 6:24 am
Agree, one plays with Baker’s heart. We need more of that. And you Joes have been critical this year, but not enough last when we should have canned him. I disagree about Todd’s demeanor. He couldn’t motivate a monkey to swing or eat a banana. He’s so boring.
January 17th, 2026 at 6:26 am
Websites that are both informative and entertaining are few and far between! Where most only present a biased opinion, the Joes on this site present the good, the bad and the ugly leaving those who read and post to voice their opinions. Whether it be decade or next, the Bucs will be back!
January 17th, 2026 at 6:48 am
Yes, Baker is a stud QB; I only wish he would take better care of himself. I get it, I’m a certain type of competitor too. A little bit of maturity will hopefully temper his recklessness. (I’m quite “mature” these days, having been a fan since the Buc’s inaugural season, when I was 12). Of course, the O-line needs to return to form to protect him from himself.
I’m with you on the edge rush too, Joe. Damnit Bowles, learn to develop an edge rusher!! I’m a beat-up 62 year old ex-soldier and sometimes I feel like I could do a better job than some of the clowns we’ve had on the edge since Shaq and JPP departed!
January 17th, 2026 at 6:48 am
todd’s list of dumb moves is much larger than smart moves. thats the problem and why a post like this is pointless. todd’s positives arent ever going to outweigh his negatives.
ever.
January 17th, 2026 at 6:56 am
Passer Rating — Mayfield was 21st in 2025.
QBR — Baker was 14th.
Both stats have some flaws/biases in them.
However, they tend to have a little better relationship to quarterback success than total yards or TDs.
I’m not sure what stat that Attaboy is pointing to when he says that Baker was better — but that’s why we have opinion blogs.
January 17th, 2026 at 6:59 am
Lots of people stuck on 3 and 28 Good lord. One play does NOT make a season successful or a failure. Baker is middle of the road quarterback just like most of the others in the league without O.Line protection. Every quarterback in the league will pick any defense apart if they have time to throw the ball. Always have and always will, the special quarterbacks make the exceptional plays from time to time. Baker is that guy, I do feel like he regressed later in the season for whatever reason. Maybe he was hurt the office of coordinator lack of protection. Even with that said, as the leader of this team, he has to step up.
January 17th, 2026 at 7:09 am
Where would this franchise be if it didn’t get Baker? I don’t know Joe, and neither do you. Maybe Trask would’ve surprised us. Maybe he would’ve been so bad we would’ve been in line to draft Drake Maye? Hard to predict. Could’ve went bad, turned good, visa versa? What we do know is we have Baker, and Bowles. We’ve hovered around .500, 1-3 playoffs, 3 division titles till this season. That’s good enough for the Glazers, and apparently Joe. I’d like us to do better.
January 17th, 2026 at 7:16 am
The Beatings will continue until morale improves….
January 17th, 2026 at 7:28 am
3rd and Bowles
January 17th, 2026 at 7:28 am
I,ll agree with Joe ,that getting Baker was a smart move. Baker has to play with
more control to protect himself. The punishment he receives during the regular has to be limited, but the intensity and punishment received is greater in the playoffs. That said Bowles decision to make Bridgewater the backup negates much of the
the Baker decision effectiveness.
January 17th, 2026 at 7:56 am
Bucblind II Says:
January 17th, 2026 at 1:19 am
Yes Mayfield is our first quarterback in franchise history to have multiple pro bowls invitations
________
I’m a Baker fan but didn’t a guy named Tom Brady play for us?
I think he might have had a couple of Pro Bowl invitations too.
January 17th, 2026 at 7:59 am
Have we hired any coaches yet? This is scary?
January 17th, 2026 at 8:19 am
Agree with Joe that TB deserved credit for wanting Baker and getting him here.
But Todd had long ago used up that credit. The Teddy move seemed like a personal favor more than a good move for the team. “IF” Baker was hurt that bad then the Teddy move was even more concerning. We need a backup whose game is somewhat similar to Bakers. Baker set the expectations high in the first half of the season and that’s why the collapse felt even worse for fans. He definitely was pressing those last for or five games in part because we all know Todd’s defense always gives up the lead. I am holding on to a glimmer of hope that Glazer’s still considering a HC change this year. No public comments about Todd yet. Todd has not been interviewing for his defensive openings.
January 17th, 2026 at 8:24 am
The numbers scare impressive. But everyone has bad days. Even Cy young winning pitchers,have bad,days. That is why i think Qbs should be treated like starting pitchers. There should be at least 2 good QBs in the bullpen just in case the starter has,a nagging injury or his wife us having a baby or something. That does not mean they are demoted. They get the next start.
January 17th, 2026 at 8:27 am
Baker is not a franchise quarterback and I don’t care how many excuses y’all give him just go look at the past 6 games. That’s why he’s on his 4th team the bucs will not win or go to a Superbowl with Baker Mayfield.
January 17th, 2026 at 8:27 am
Baker bashers must have forgotten about the string of QB’s we’ve had here not named Brady of Winston. Remember when Lovie rose from the basement and presented us with McClown? Let’s appreciate what we have, and continue to build around him (like decent OL back-ups).
January 17th, 2026 at 8:34 am
Baker is the reason why no good coach wants to come here . The Glazers sales y’all names and y’all fall for it every time 😆. They know they ain’t winning a Superbowl or even going to a Superbowl with Baker Mayfield. The team around him on offense with a average defense and playing in a trash division you can win 8-9 and the bucs has never dominated the division not even one time with Baker Mayfield lol 🤣🤣. The Glazers know they have the dumbest fan base in the NFL that loves meadicory.
January 17th, 2026 at 8:43 am
Yes as a Buc fan it gets really annoying watching these “cartoonish” head coaches like Vrabel, Johnson, Coen, etc” hype it up with their players and watching players play with excitement and passion…give me the guy with his arms crossed all game, clueless as to situational football..the guy who runs soft walk thru practices, who let’s his coaches off the hook instead holding them accountable.
You can be stoic like Dungy and Billichek, as long as you have have the attention and respect (by respect I dont mean you’re a “players” coach, meaning the players do whatever they want), can manage a game and your staff.
January 17th, 2026 at 8:46 am
Don’t mind those readers that attended the Learing Center, JBF. Some folks just like to hear themselves talk.
But I am certain that they would immensely benefit from spending some quality time with a bipolar Mafioso. Over/under of the time they would flush is 30.5 seconds. Take the under…
Best,
J
January 17th, 2026 at 8:47 am
3rd and 28!
January 17th, 2026 at 8:54 am
So now we know O’Neil is a member of the dumbest fan base. He also knows the only reason a coach would come here is because of Baker. Couldn’t possibly be because of Bowles.
January 17th, 2026 at 8:59 am
Onielbuc, what would you have done instead of bringing Baker in after Tom Brady? My opinion is that of all the options he was the best available. I believe if Coen had stayed on Bakers 2025 would have been way better. Do you think Trevor Lawrence is / was better over the last 3 seasons? Elite coaching makes a big difference. If you want to say there’s a problem you should also propose some solutions.
January 17th, 2026 at 9:02 am
No one is criticizing Mayfield’s Quarterback skills. His Quarterback skills have been criticized when he was injured. Todd Bowles, as HC, needs to sit Mayfield until he’s sufficiently healed to resume play.
He’s in charge and needs to act like a leader. Shanahan sat Purdy on San Francisco until he was ready to play. What does that say about leadership styles- EVERYTHING!!!
January 17th, 2026 at 9:09 am
“What happened to Mayfield in the second half of the season is unclear. If Joe were Team Glazer, Joe would have to wait to see how Mayfield bounces back in 2026 before Joe would drop a bag in his lap.
But damn, there is no quarterback in the league with the possible exception of Pat Mahomes with better intangibles than Mayfield.
Which Joes is this that keeps throwing the word “intangibles” around and not naming exactly what they are. Are we talking marketability? I believe Mayfield had some of the best PR in football, former 1st overall QB almost a decade into his career, but still viewed as the underdog? Why so?
January 17th, 2026 at 9:12 am
Mahome’s mom HATES it when people call him “Pat”, so WATCH it Joe!
January 17th, 2026 at 9:21 am
Turd & 28
January 17th, 2026 at 9:35 am
McDaniel update?
January 17th, 2026 at 9:37 am
What if Bowles made Baker not play and recover after the bye week? Hmmmm Isn’t that part of his job?
2026 is RINSE AND REPEAT
SMH
January 17th, 2026 at 9:38 am
I agree Bake was a good pickup by Bowles and Bowles/Baker did a good job bringing in Coen (not so good with Griz).
Baker can be a great QB if he has a good OC and line. He struggles, like many QB’s, when he doesn’t trust the interior line’s pass pro and he gets pressure in his face. He also doesn’t look off defenders consistently and doesn’t throw a great touch pass or deep ball with air under it.
Still, I think Baker is a really tough competitor and hates to lose. The Bucs just need to keep him healthy.
January 17th, 2026 at 9:51 am
Its so interesting…
For Baker fans to be Baker fans they have to ignore the giant elephants in the room. They only show a few cherry picked stats while ignoring the stats that lead to winning a chip.
So they post stats like Joe did with total TDs and yards within the last 3 years. Well what about total turnovers over the last 3 years, especially in the playoffs? What about total playoff TDs and yards? Playoffs wins? Conference championship appearances? SB appearances? SB wins? Baker fans ignore the playoffs completely, I wonder why?
Notice how the other QBs on that list are SB winners or have made a SB appearance or have made the Conference Championship multiple times. But that doesn’t matter to Baker fans, they just want to see their mancrush play regardless of the outcome.
So Joe, what intangibles are you specifically talking about? And why didn’t we see them during the 2-7 stretch when Baker said he was healthy?
If hes as good as people say he is then well see that consistently the entire season this upcoming season right?
January 17th, 2026 at 9:51 am
Can we stop using the “fans are upset because Bowles isn’t jumping around on the sidelines” argument? That is not the criticism. It’s not Todd’s sdemeanor that is an issue, it’s the fact that he literally stands there and does not coach during a game. Watch the playoff games this weekend, you will see coaches talking to their players in-game if the player makes a mistake or is out of position or misses an assignment. Those coaches help keep their players accountable in the moment so mistakes aren’t repeated. It’s a much more effective teaching tactic and it is what effective coaches do.
January 17th, 2026 at 10:08 am
Yep and in typical Tampa Bay fashion they let the guy responsible walk right out the door TODD TOILET BOWELS SUCKS AND SO DOES JADON LICHT
January 17th, 2026 at 10:26 am
Old school. I would have played Kyle Trask and let him sink or swim and if he sinks I draft me a quarterback in the first round. With these weapons and this playbook this team is set up perfectly for a rookie quarterback to develop.
January 17th, 2026 at 10:41 am
Yet another fine indictment on the ineptitude of Jason Licht. Just like BA led him to Suh, JPP, and Brady (with Spytsk closing the deal). Meanwhile, the passive bull just waits for his coach to lead him to pasture by his nose ring. Seriously, ask yourself, shouldn’t a GM be bringing talent option to the coach to discuss fit, leading the way in personnel decision-making/FA? Nope, not Licht, out head draft scout. He’s too busy figuring out a way to re-sign his damaged homegrown tomatoes. Licht is NOT a leader, he is a follower, which is a sad GM quality
January 17th, 2026 at 10:43 am
@DanielZ, excellent point
January 17th, 2026 at 10:46 am
Vancouver Buc:
Bowles and smart are words that DO go together. He is mediocre, right? But he is the coach, wealthy guy, and managed to keep HIS job when his assistants lost theirs.
This guy is a genius.
January 17th, 2026 at 10:46 am
I gotta admit Baker grew on me as a competitor. But, his decision making and 4th quarter turnovers leave a lot to be desired
January 17th, 2026 at 10:50 am
The most important stat omitted….number of rings in that time period
January 17th, 2026 at 11:12 am
Personally, I would take Josh Allen as my QB.
Oh, that’s right — we could have had Josh Allen. We traded the draft pick that Buffalo used for Josh Allen for Vita Vea, Carlton Davis and Jordan Whitehead.
Whether Baker Mayfield’s intangibles are slightly better than Josh Allen’s — His overall play is not as good.
It was there for the taking — we knew Winston was not the answer — a huge swing and a miss.
January 17th, 2026 at 11:17 am
ChiBuc — I read that full Spytek article on Brady and he. To suggest that Licht had nothing to do with Brady coming here is a false narrative.
Hate on him for other reasons — But let’s not take a partial narrative of Brady’s move to Tampa and make a ridiculous assumption that Brady made the move based upon the assistant general manager over and above everything else.
BTW — I think Licht deserves more credit than Arians for Suh and JPP — just curious what your inside information might be to diss him for those signings.
January 17th, 2026 at 11:26 am
Need to have Munch remind us how well the defense played the last 3 years. While he is at it, he could also tell us how well the Oline played in 2025. Finally, Munch is past due on his other slogan that Baker was faking injuries in the second half or the season. Have been reading Munch’s comments for a number of years and believe he is a “middling” commentator on these pages.
January 17th, 2026 at 11:37 am
Bee as usual you say things that have no resemblance to reality. We don’t ignore the playoffs at all. We mention how Baker has played better than anyone in the playoffs with a 105.9 passer rating every time you haters force us to with your bs. The NFL says Baker Mayfield has played better than anyone else when it matters most. Sorry the NFL thinks that but it’s a fact. So you can say this or say that it doesn’t mean anything. When the big money is on the line BM6 plays better than anyone. Someone just needs to put a team on the field where the other 21 players play at his level. Not just a couple, the whole team. Quarterbacks have had passer ratings in the 40’s in a superbowl and still won because the other teammates where playing superbowl level football. So you football ignorant people that like to say stupid things like, Mayfield can never win a superbowl with his 105.9 PR can go take a flying leap.
January 17th, 2026 at 11:39 am
I love Baker and the intangibles he brings. However, Baker willing the Bucs to a 6-2 start took a toll on his body. It seems like when Mayfield scrambles and takes on dudes downfield always fires the rest of the team up and they seem to play much better. There were many reasons for the downfall after that. Baker can’t take that kind of punishment and still be an effective passer. We need an Offensive Coordinator who can get the most out of the other 10 guys on offense without Baker having to run downfield and getting hit by 4 or 5 guys in the process. I think the Baker we saw in 2024 is the Baker that we have, but the O-line needs to stay healthy and we need better O-line backups.
January 17th, 2026 at 11:54 am
WarrenB Lynch says why is Mayfield still considered an underdog? Not sure who thinks that but if it’s true I would think it’s twofold. 1-most qb sit when hurt. Baker plays hurt and his stats show that, so people that can’t see the forest for the trees say oh he’s inconsistent. Its why most qb’s wont play hurt, it hurts their stats. 2-he has never had great coaches. All his coaches have been fired. If you were looking for the truth you could take his career year by year and he has experienced things few if any quarterbacks have. If you disagree with that you don’t know much about quarterbacks in the NFL. EXAMPLE-he has had 8, will be 9 OC’s next year in 7 years. No one has had to play under those conditions. There is plenty more about his career that hasn’t been ideal. Where quarterbacks like Allen and Mahomes have had a pretty good career in those regards.
January 17th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
I’ll give you a McDaniel update. Mike is up for several head coaching positions. He’s either going to get hired at one of those or he’s not. However, he’s not going to consider an OC job until he’s shut out of a HC job. Simple as that!
January 17th, 2026 at 12:23 pm
I’m glad the Bucs got Baker, but it was a little bit of dumb luck. BOWLES should be fired.
January 17th, 2026 at 12:24 pm
@Geno, you are right. I do not have any access to information beyond what everyone can access and read. No more in the organization, no hidden mics. I simply look at Licht’s body of DL work (FA) before and after BA. Sure Licht had some intel inside NE’s organization revealing Brady’s status, but we see in “Raise the Flags” who is on the phone greasing the path.
Look, I get it. Licht is a good ol boy who has had some draft success picking early with bad teams. Yes he’s a likeable glad hand guy cut from the same cloth as Goodell, but he passively chases trends and does not appear to proactively address his team’s need without the coach’s impetus. Just look at the coaches he has hired, and don’t tell me BA. Does BA strike you as the type of guy that can be convinced of something he’s not interested in? BA wanted back, looked for his best option, and convenient fell in Licht’s maliable lap (again, this is my own personal conjecture). Sure the Glazers drive the coach hiring ship, but a good Captain would steer them into better waters than Lovie (ok, hindsight, but let’s get ahead of the OC trend when budding McVays were still swimming in those waters). He chased by resigning the entire superbowl team, allowed Brady to bring the AB cancer into the locker room, had zero voice in promoting Bowles, is doing a poor job evaluating players (QB, OLB, ILB…actually the entire DL other than Vea) and depth, and he throws sick money at unproven-one hit wonders/injury prone (AWJ. McC, Goedeke, even our beloved Godwin–why pay him top dollar for a partial 2025 season). In short, I don’t see him as a trendsetter on the edge of a new horizon. I see him more comfortably plopped in the middle of circle passively waiting for a coach to lead him to greener pastures. Im sorry you don’t like my “narrative,” and see how you might think you have greater insight because you “read that full Spytek article on Brady,” but just like all the othe a-holes in here, I’m sharing and standing by my opinion
And truth be told, we never know the whole story, because this GM (org) never tells the whole truth
January 17th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
I took someone else’s advice and just stopped reading the comments on here and just taking the article for what it is. I recommend it to all of you
January 17th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
They came and they left to do more interviews elsewhere.
Joe is not a college football recruiting writer (which is basically a romance novel writer where the only things that change are the names and the places).
January 17th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
Onielbuc, we picked 20th in 2023. Bryce Young, CJ Stroud and Anthony Richardson went 1.2,4.
2024 Caleb Williams, Jaden Daniel’s, Drake Maye went 1,2,3. We picked 26.
I don’t see any reality in your solution. The Kyle Trask comment pretty much clarified your Baker bias.
If a team tanks to get a qb, you have to have a top 4 pick. Remember the year we took Winston it was him and Mariota, nothing else.
January 17th, 2026 at 1:14 pm
What it is
Lol…explain to me how passer ratings help win games and specifically playoff games. How does that stat or any stat help win games?
If Baker plays better than any other QB in the playoffs then why did he lose to a rookie in the WC last year…at home? Why hasn’t he been to a SB yet?
Ohhh…other players aren’t on Bakers level. Well the Bucs won a chip recently without Baker. Some of his teammates have a SB ring and they’re not on Bakers level and he’s never been?
Lol…sir, put the phone down and check into rehab immediately.
January 17th, 2026 at 1:48 pm
Another stat from the same time period 2023-25… The top three QB’s Darnold, Goff and Allen won 36 games each. Baker came in ninth with 27 wins.
January 17th, 2026 at 1:49 pm
Todd Bowles’ Smartest Move = Getting a bigger belt and pants sizes
I wasn’t aware Bowles could sign players????
Thought that was the job of the GM????
Is this Joe angling for Bowles to take on a third role and get Licht fired???
Bowles is an absolute genius he is,
3rd and 28
January 17th, 2026 at 2:14 pm
Where would this franchise be if it turned to Kyle Trask after Tom Brady retired for good?
——–
I’d say +/- one playoff win difference.
January 17th, 2026 at 2:34 pm
Passer ratings are the biggest joke in football. Am shocked it wasn’t something hatched by the PFF tribe.
January 17th, 2026 at 3:09 pm
I’d have to agree Joe. Skip the stupid passer ratings. Suffice it to say Baker has thrown 12 tds and 3 picks in his playoff career. 5 games. About as elite as any QB in history. And those silly passer ratings had him at 14th place in one of those useless ranks for the 2025 season. When in reality he was 7th and 10th in tds and throwing yards. Everyone already knows he’s a stud who lead the league in yards per rush. In 2025. A “bad” year.
January 17th, 2026 at 3:13 pm
And another thing. We need a better backup QB. I’m positive we could do worse than Jameis Winston.
January 17th, 2026 at 3:21 pm
Imagine where Baker would have ended those three years were it not for a poor last half of the 2025 season? Watching the laser shots that Baker threw in the first ATL game to Egbuka for long TD’s, it was apparent that he was really injured in the latter half of the season. He is a tough guy but wish he woud have sat out for 3-4 games to get patched up.
January 17th, 2026 at 3:26 pm
People talking about America’s turn over machine being brought back? You worry about Baker? Look at Jay-miss record. Just in 2025 he threw 12 interceptions. 3 in one game . Two of them returned for Touchdowns. The Browns BENCHED him.
But sure great idea to bring him back. And the excuse I know is coming. He had no good defense around him. So where’s the good defense around Baker?
Where does anybody think there’s going to be One With Bowles?
January 17th, 2026 at 3:54 pm
2024.
January 17th, 2026 at 3:57 pm
“It was one of the smartest moves in franchise history.
I don’t know if we can go that far. Results are what matters, and right now that ‘smart decision’ has netted us 1 playoff win. And we’re now exiting the bargain basement years of Baker’s salary. So it’s not like we took advantage of that extra cap space and won a SB. That ship has sailed.
January 17th, 2026 at 4:20 pm
Once Stefanski is hired in Atlanta we’ll have the worst coach in the worst division in the league.
Let that sit in
January 17th, 2026 at 4:41 pm
Buffalo kicking off. Remember we played them this year? Lost 44-32. We went for 2 twice. Baker dove into the end zone and landed on the side of his head. Despite Josh Allen going nuts Baker drove us down the field in the 4th quarter to take the lead with a great little flat pass to Tucker for a touchdown. Of course when we kicked off they got past midfield and scored on our defense fast. Really fast. You all know what I mean. Stupid fast. We get the ball back down 6 now and somehow Baker is pulled on 4th and 2 with five minutes to play. Baker never got the ball back and we lost by 2 tds. Defense sucked out loud entire game. Special teams sucked out loud the entire game. Coaching sucked out loud the entire game. Mayfield looked like a future Hall of Famer. But many of you long time Tampa fans and football fans “experts” had no trouble explaining why we lost. Baker Mayfield. Bunch of idiots.
January 17th, 2026 at 6:27 pm
Oh Bee, if I have to explain to you how a passer rating wins games you are worse than even I thought you are.
I noticed the great Josh Allen has thrown an interception and fumbled and thrown 81 yards just in the first half. I think Buffalo should get rid of him and maybe he could be a back up or a journeyman qb somewhere because that proves he’s a middling quarterback. Huh guys?
January 17th, 2026 at 6:31 pm
Josh completely missed his receiver 10 yards away. Baker never missed a receiver that close.🤣
January 17th, 2026 at 7:01 pm
Looking at Josh Allen man this is why you need a quarterback. If they had Baker the game would have been over. This is why we have to draft a quarterback and now even the Joe’s are questioning Baker Mayfield after this season.
January 17th, 2026 at 10:16 pm
So Josh Allen turned the ball over 3 times and lost the game-2 interceptions and a fumble. I guess when even the best quarterbacks are pressured enough they make mistakes, interesting…
January 17th, 2026 at 10:35 pm
Looks like the team we beat ,Seattle, is going to walk off into the night and play in the NFC Championships game. That was before Bakers injuries and he played like the MVP that he is with a 135 passer rating. So the reality is IF we had not had all the injuries that we had we could have been in Seattle’s position playing in the NFC Championship because we also beat the 49ers, when Baker had a 140 passer rating. Oh the fortunes of the NFL. Baker had us there with replacement players. IF this team can put it all together we will go all the way. Maybe in 2026.
January 17th, 2026 at 11:00 pm
If we could get a HC like Denvers Sean Payton or Buffalos Sean McDermott we would be in the hunt every year with this teams talent. I like Bowles but I just think he is a little out of his depth as HC. He has a lot of skills and talent but not as a HC in the NFL. I could be wrong. If everyone stays healthy next year we will find out just where Todd Bowles talent level is. I do think that they kept him because of all the injuries this year. He has actually put together a really good team. They just have to STAY HEALTHY!!!
January 17th, 2026 at 11:25 pm
Bee, I just read your whole post. Particularly about why hasn’t Baker been to a superbowl. Wow Bee you just showed your ignorance with that comment. You are saying since Baker hasn’t been to a superbowl he isn’t any good. So…why hasn’t the great Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Dan Marino been? Those 3 are some of the very best in the history of the game so why haven’t they been there. I’ll tell you Bee since the point completely flew over your little head. First it’s a team sport and the “team” all has to play at a very high level TOGETHER to get there. How do they play at such a high level? It’s called coaching. Coaching matters. When we play healthy and make few mistakes there won’t be anybody that we can’t beat. When Baker is protected there is no one that plays the position better.
January 18th, 2026 at 11:31 am
This is a game of what have you done for me lately? Apparently numbers do lie.