“Is The Window Over?”
March 19th, 2026
Kay Adams asks.
Look out NFC South. A p!ssed off Baker Mayfield is a dangerous quarterback.
Kay Adams, speaking on her weekday show “Up and Adams” yesterday seen on FanDuel TV, noted with the departure of Mike Evans, the narrative around the Bucs will be their Super Bowl window was slammed shut with the exodus of Jamel Dean, Evans and Logan Hall. And maybe Lavonte David, too, Adams noted.
However, Adams also said that’s too easy. For when people are ready to count Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield dead and buried, that’s when he’s most dangerous.
Adams noted it happened when Mayfield walked on at Texas Tech. Happened when he transferred to Oklahoma. Happened in Cleveland. Happened in Los Angeles when folks were shoveling dirt in his face.
And it happened with the Bucs when he replaced Tom Brady in 2023 and folks picked the Bucs to win two games.
“It does feel like that’s going to be a narrative,” Adams said of folks thinking the Bucs will crumble this fall. “Like things are maybe starting to come apart in Tampa. … Like, who’s going to win the NFC South?
“All that that means for me is that Baker is about to have a monster year. If you track Baker, this is perfect for him. He does his best work when he’s put into a corner and people start doubting him. It was almost too perfect for him.”
Adams said Mayfield’s “Disneyland ride” of a career peaks when folks have him counted out.
“[When] his back’s against the wall, that’s how I like my Baker,” Adams said.
She certainly does have an interesting point. Also throw in the face that the Bucs’ offensive line shouldn’t get beat up like it was last year and that Mayfield has the offensive coordinator he wanted, maybe it’s a smart play to put some cash down on Mayfield with some personal overs?
So in the end, no, Adams confessed, she doesn’t think the Bucs’ window of success is shut. On the contrary, the NFC South should brace for a savage Mayfield this fall.
Baker Mayfield has everyone RIGHT where he wants them…
Here's why he's about to have a monster year đ@heykayadams | @bakermayfield | @Buccaneers pic.twitter.com/OpEbQJzR8S
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) March 18, 2026
March 19th, 2026 at 3:55 am
ZzzzzzzzzzzâŚâŚ
March 19th, 2026 at 4:14 am
2026 MVP Baker Mayfield.
Don’t count the Bucs out just yet. Many fans want Bowles gone so they are predicting worst case scenario, but I think there is a strong chance the Bucs have a great year.
No splash moves, no…just solid moves.
Losing Evans won’t hurt us. I love the guy and wish he only played in Tampa, but we have a very strong WR room.
OL will be stronger. RBs will be stronger.
Secondary will be better because of development…and I suspect we’ll add another veteran there.
Draft should be pretty good, but those players will take time to develop as well…though usually at least two do good in their rookie year.
March 19th, 2026 at 4:40 am
Chip on the shoulder nonsense.
March 19th, 2026 at 5:05 am
Surreal
March 19th, 2026 at 5:08 am
Yawn! More fluff, more nonsense. Baker was counted out during the 2-7 slide after the bye, how did that work out? Baker isnt dangerous, no defense is scared of him. Why would they be when he gives them the ball late in games.
This is the issues with Baker, his fans pump him up but when the season is on the line he chokes. The chip on the shoulder, me against the world narrative is getting old, especially when you lose. Bake will do what he always done, have a few good games with a lot of bad games. The OL injury excuse, Baker injury excuse, the OC excuse will all fall away this season.
March 19th, 2026 at 5:42 am
Dracaris!
March 19th, 2026 at 6:12 am
Crazy.
March 19th, 2026 at 6:32 am
âWhen his backâs against the wall, thatâs how I like my Bakerâ. Oh, Kay! Naughty girl! Man alive Kay Adams has a great perspective on things and I ainât whistling Dixie.
March 19th, 2026 at 6:43 am
A healthy baker Mayfield is good. A pissed off and hurt Baker Mayfield would be a problem. It leads to poor decisions. We donât want to change who he is and let him use his legs, but we do need to teach him how to slide.
March 19th, 2026 at 6:53 am
Offense will be fine. Defense? Hope we have a great draft.
March 19th, 2026 at 7:05 am
I am with Bojim on this. A healthy OL, a new OC and a healthy Baker = a decent offense. However, despite the additions on D which are an improvement, we still have Bowles calling plays and if the Bucs do draft an edge at 15, I hope that he isn’t asked to cover RBs and TEs in the flat instead of putting the QB on the turf and that the Buc CBs do not become a weakness with Zyon becoming the next Vernon Hargreaves. Todd is stubborn and if his D falls off a cliff, the O might bail him out like in 2024 but if it is closer to the 2023 and 2025 versions the Bucs will probably just win enough games to let other teams like the ATL Falcons get the top shelf QBs in the 2027 for a new HC.
March 19th, 2026 at 7:06 am
^^^^ in the 2027 draft for a new head coach and possibly GM.