Bruce Arians Comments On Baker Mayfield Injury Impact
January 26th, 2026
Baker Mayfield started all 17 games this season for the third consecutive Tampa Bay campaign.
Mayfield also was on the injured list at times for his non-throwing shoulder, his throwing shoulder, an oblique problem and a knee issue. Sometimes it was multiple problems at once.
Officially, he was listed as a full-go starter on the final injury report for 15 of 17 games. Mayfield was “questionable” entering Week 4 (Eagles) and in Week 13 (Cardinals). He certainly looked 100 percent in Week 18 against the Panthers, initiating contact (foolishly?) and moving well.
Bucco Bruce Arians is a paid senior advisor to Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht and he’s a great friend to Todd Bowles. So Joe assumes Arians knows a thing or two about the Bucs behind the scenes. Joe also assumes Arians has talked to his handpicked defensive coaches, Kevin Ross and Nick Rapone, guys removed from the Bucs’ payroll this month.
Last week, Arians was asked on FanDuel TV about the impact Mayfield’s injury.
Kay Adams: How much was the injury a factor in your eyes in how he played down the stretch?
Bruce Arians: Yeah, I think it mattered, that and we kept blowing leads. And I think he felt like he had to put it all on his shoulders. Early in the year, he had the magic and he pulled the games out. Later in the year he couldn’t quite get it done.”
How much was the offense limited because of Mayfield’s injuries? It’s a great mystery of the 2025 season. Still, the Bucs had more than enough offense — and talent — to avoid finishing 2-7 down the stretch.
January 26th, 2026 at 11:03 am
Doesn’t look like Mayfield is as tough as he thinks he is. If he had a healthy oline and a real defense and wasn’t so careless with his body we could compete. It’s a Bucs life.
January 26th, 2026 at 11:09 am
the resident high school experts will soon be here to tell us they know more about Baker’s injuries than people who work at One buc
I think its most likely a combination of injury and the Oline with a sprinkle of over confidence or thinking HE had to make something happen. Some throws were obviously bad decisions he thought he could pull of
January 26th, 2026 at 11:10 am
“And we kept blowing leads”
There you have it. Your boy Bowles couldn’t keep a lead. Our Oline was a mess this year – so I give the offense a bit of a pass. But our defense? Our scheme is too complicated and we lack playmakers. Fix it please!
January 26th, 2026 at 11:22 am
With a healthy O-line, a healthy Baker, hopefully an upgrade at OC, and all the skill weapons available, our offense should be just fine this year. It’s the defense that worries most of us. We’ve got to have a good draft and pick up a couple of decent defensive FAs to have a chance at clawing back the Division title and making the playoffs. I’m just not real optimistic about that happening. I hope I’m wrong!
January 26th, 2026 at 11:23 am
HopetheBucswin Says:
January 26th, 2026 at 11:03 am
Doesn’t look like Mayfield is as tough as he thinks he is.
^^^^^^^^^^^
You’re incorrect, IMHO. Baker showed great toughness.
January 26th, 2026 at 11:27 am
Another reason why I thought the BUCS would get a new head coach is the QB situation. They let Trask go, brought in Bridgewater who looked like he had no business on the field. I understand that we dont know what Trask can do or cannot ( I am not a fan of Trask by any means), but atleast he had the motivation to play hard. Why get an experienced Backup when there is no plan to use that experience
January 26th, 2026 at 11:29 am
He’s got to learn how to SLIDE and to just get outta bounds, and live to fight another day.
January 26th, 2026 at 11:33 am
I think the zone running scheme will help the offense.
I’m looking forward. JMac Tez E double. I need two more.
With Drew Lock or Justin Fields in the qb room right now.
Backups. There’s a high possibility that Zack Rob would be the next HC for the Buccaneers. Forward thinking Glazers. We will be talk about defense a lot when draft time comes around 🤙🏾👊🏾
January 26th, 2026 at 11:34 am
Bucs could have a good offense if they avoid the injuries and invest in some quality backups for the OL and qb as the guards and Bridgewater were definitely not NFL caliber last season. However, if the Bucs spend coin building depth on the offense, how are they going to deal with the D, which is in far worse shape Lavonte is probably done and SVD is not a starter plus there are holes on the DL and absolutely no edge rush? Throw in the fact that the team’s best CB is leaving via free agency and you can see a lot of holes to fill but only so much coin under the cap. having draft picks are nice, but usually if these dudes pan out, it is a couple of seasons down the road, not 2026 and even a great GM is not going to hit on all of his picks; some will be busts like Braswell, Trask, Aguayo, OJ Howard, MJ Stewart, etc…..
January 26th, 2026 at 11:39 am
The truth about Baker’s injuries is “the truth will never be known! Why, it would only be assumptions\conjectures to post meaningless what “ifs”. So, with Baker himself, hopefully he will learn to adapt his style of play to his age. If he cannot adapt, he will be that washed-up has been quarterback that a third of the folks who post on this site think he is!
January 26th, 2026 at 11:43 am
Mayfail needs to learn how to slide. He’s not worth a pee hole in the snow when he’s injured, he got ran out of CLE because he refused to be benched. The Christmas game at Green Bay was particularly embarrassing, absolutely no velocity on the ball and I think it was a 4 interception game.
January 26th, 2026 at 11:43 am
Pathetic defense!!! did not help
January 26th, 2026 at 11:45 am
Most of Baker’s injuries occur by the way he plays the game! So, with Baker himself, hopefully he will learn to adapt his style of play to his age. If he cannot adapt, he will be that washed-up has been quarterback that a third of the folks who post on this site think he is!
January 26th, 2026 at 11:46 am
“Bruce Arians: Yeah, I think it mattered, that and we kept blowing leads.”
And who pray tell would be the one blowing those leads I wonder???
Oh, that’s right. Never mind. We aren’t allowed to go there.
It was the OC and defensive assistants that caused the Hindenburg style collapse.
Problem solved folks! We brought in a run first OC to go with a run first HC\DC.
Good thing we have high paid, high drafted WRs to block for those run plays!
With this defense we can win every game 13-3!!!!!
January 26th, 2026 at 11:54 am
BA, thanks for 2020 and 2021.
Unfortunately the gift of Bsowel is like a wet turd in a box with a bow on it. It stinks and ages poorly.
January 26th, 2026 at 11:56 am
The Curse of Ariens…..his legacy is Bowzo
January 26th, 2026 at 11:57 am
“that and we kept blowing leads. And I think he felt like he had to put it all on his shoulders.”
Bingo. It appears Bruce hasn’t completely lost it.
This is exactly what I said in that TJ Housh article about Baker. Anyone watching the Bucs consistently, could see this.
January 26th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
For as great of a coach that he is, sometimes I really am amazed by what comes out of his mouth.
The offense wasn’t so good that there were a ton of great leads to blow in the back half, but he’s correct in that there were some, and one that was significant against atlanta is what ended up killing the season.
But the only coach left on his tree, his legacy, has the most answering to do for bowling that lead.
I would just answer generically from now on Bruce. You’re not doing Todd any more favors with those types of answers.
January 26th, 2026 at 12:18 pm
There’s one thing that I’d like to clarify better.
I watched every game and if memory serves me correctly, Baker didn’t get hurt running the ball. He got hurt in those twisting, turning, multiple defender pocket-collapse sacks! Those types of sacks are the most dangerous to a QB’s health.
Baker’s actually adopted a more shoulder-down impact setup in a lot of his running plays. Hitting an an off-balance opponent like that can be much safer when the opponent is not squared-off in some way against the runner.
Please tell me if my memory was not correct pertaining to injuries resulting from runs.
January 26th, 2026 at 12:23 pm
I blame Bowles because he insisted on giving a job to a backup QB who couldn’t play, simply because he wanted to help a fellow minority.
Jobs should be earned, and Teddy did not earn his.
January 26th, 2026 at 12:24 pm
HC Grover Says:
“The Curse of Ariens…..his legacy is Bowzo”
Arians is not a curse.
January 26th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
Love how we gloss over the blowing leads part. Bowles and his defense are the problem.
January 26th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
We need 2 CBs, 2 ILBs and 2 Edge Rushers but let’s keep talking about Baker and his injuries.
Have we hired a DC yet?
Yawn!!!
January 26th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
Drunk Uncle Bruce still talking.
January 26th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
ExBrown – good point about Mayfield’s injuries being potentially tied to sacks as apposed to scrambling for first downs.
Let’s face it, losing both our starting guards AND their backups crushed our offense this year – as it should. But still put up enough points for any decent defense to keep us in games and pull out more wins.
It’s not the O that’s the problem, it’s the D. With that, I’m glad we moved to Zac instead of Grizz.
January 26th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
Arians doesn’t know what he is talking about. We all have it on the good authority of RodMuncher that Baker was faking those injuries, much like he faked the torn abrum shoulder surgery in 2021. Munch’s wife, DavidBigBucsFan99, agrees with her husband.
January 26th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
Go away BA !
Leftwich
Bowels
Sheet sandwich crammed down our throats!
You have failed at your job!
January 26th, 2026 at 1:08 pm
It’s evident we didn’t have the players at the end of the season.Injuries kept backups playing more often than not. I’ve watched the Bucs from the 70’s and never remember seeing so many first team players on the sidelines. Glad 2025 is behind us. It’s got to be better in 2026. GO BUCS.
January 26th, 2026 at 1:09 pm
One thing about running QB’s is they don’t wear the same kind of shoulder pads running backs do, hinders throwing the ball
January 26th, 2026 at 1:09 pm
Pretty sure Baker doesn’t play defense. Maybe we should ask why Bowles defense gave up so many leads. Or how you convert 3 and 28. Why you got DE running 40 yards down the field with a running back.
January 26th, 2026 at 1:12 pm
The REAL MYSTERY is how Bucs Brass has not sat down Mayfield and told him ” Listen Son we all know how tough you are so you do not need to try to prove it every time you scramble by taking on LB’s and DB’s straight on, because we need you healthy not beat up”.
January 26th, 2026 at 1:14 pm
exBrowns02 Says: “I watched every game and if memory serves me correctly, Baker didn’t get hurt running the ball. He got hurt in those twisting, turning, multiple defender pocket-collapse sacks! Those types of sacks are the most dangerous to a QB’s health.”
This was another part of the reason why I’ve been saying that he needs to just get the hell outta there, as soon as it starts to breakdown. Abandon Ship, IMMEDIATELY. Just get the hell out so you can SEE open receivers, and find a good clean throwing lane. It also, helps prevent you from constantly getting nicked-up, and bent-up like a fricking pretzel, all the damn time. Get outside the pocket, and extend the play out on the perimeter, and then sling-it to the open receiver. Or, just get outta bounds, throw-it away, and SLIDE whenever you decide to run-it up field.
January 26th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
We need a Tight end, a RB to replace White and another guard who is more capable than our backups or a center to replace Barton who could move to guard.
Defense we need ILB and edge in FA.
Draft ILB, Corner ILB and guard in draft. Trade up in 1st to get Styles if need be as he is a difference maker. If not make sure you get Hill Jr. who I think is also a beast and can maybe be had on a trade down.
January 26th, 2026 at 1:18 pm
Baker has been learning to slide more instead of lowering his shoulders or stiff arming defenders like a RB. He needs to keep that up.
January 26th, 2026 at 1:20 pm
Don’t know about you all, but it sure didn’t sound like such a glowing endorsement of Good Ol’ Bake Bake. I suppose that would be a real hard thing to handout right now!!!!
January 26th, 2026 at 1:20 pm
It’s like Arians said “he had the magic”. And that’s all that matters, that the folks that know Baker has the magic even when he is playing with a banged up offensive line. The only thing that slows him down is being hurt multiple times. He’s got the magic says the superbowl winning coach. Pretty good stuff.
January 26th, 2026 at 1:21 pm
Whose idea was it to have Bridgewater as a backup with no confidence or plan to put him in if your starter gets injuried. He looked like the hs coach he was before the bucs decided to sign him to back up Mayfield so many mistakes but yeah let’s run that back 🫠
January 26th, 2026 at 1:28 pm
Of course Melvy and the rest hears ” it sure didn’t sound like such a glowing endorsement”. Normal people not full of hate would hear, the injuries mattered and the defense kept blowing the lead Baker would get us. So he, Baker, felt pressed to do more but he couldn’t at the end because the “injuries mattered”. But the crew, all 5, heard Baker suckes. Mental, they say hate will do that…
January 26th, 2026 at 1:30 pm
@ Canabuc Says: “or a center to replace Barton who could move to guard.”
Yeah, I was thinking about this just the other day! It’s a thought. But, seems-like he really struggled there too, last season. Maybe, a full offseason and training camp at the ‘position’ would do the trick!? Has to be on the table for consideration. If it had been myself, I would’ve traded up just a couple of spots for Linderbaum though, instead of trading back for fricken Hall. So, there’s that! LoL
January 26th, 2026 at 1:36 pm
Darnold is going to the SB winning two games with what’s probably a torn oblique. Stop the injury BS with Baker. There were picks that were poor decisions, not injury related. Baker played bad down the stretch, as did the team. Let’s not sugar coat it with the injury excuses. Hopefully he bounces back under Robinson, but Baker was part of the problem after the bye.
January 26th, 2026 at 1:37 pm
I am almost as sick of Bruce Arians’ comments as of Todd Bowles’, to be honest.
January 26th, 2026 at 1:46 pm
Is anyone going to mention that having Teddy Bridgewater at backup QB was criminal negligence? This is not a pro-Trask comment. But it is a pro “someone currently playing pro football at least” comment.
With a better backup QB maybe you get a win out of a game Baker was 100%.
January 26th, 2026 at 1:46 pm
Wasn’t *
January 26th, 2026 at 1:52 pm
He took a pretty good pop in the rams game while scrambling .. that’s what brouugt teddy in. On sliding, I remember years back he said he didn’t prefer sliding, as that exposed his ankles and knees to year ending injuries. He’ll slide if he sees he’s got room to land , apart from a missle heading to his legs.