“Baker Hasn’t Proven That He Will Lift Up Everyone Around Him When Things Aren’t Going Well”
May 18th, 2026
There’s rancor within JoeBucsFan.com headquarters.
Good thing the only things being thrown around the office are empty beer cans and wadded-up used Jimmy John’s bags.
One of the Joes strongly advocates signing Baker Mayfield, 31, to an extension ASAP. As in yesterday.
The other Joe is like, “Whoa, hold up. Let’s see how this season plays out.”
It seems Pat Donovan is in the wait-and-see camp.
Donovan, who co-hosts “The Pat and Aaron Show” heard weekday mornings on WDAE-AM 620/WDAE-FM 95.7, stated he hasn’t seen enough from Mayfield to believe he can lead the Bucs to a Super Bowl.
Donovan wants to be a believer but he’s not there. Yet.
“To me, Baker hasn’t proven that he will lift everyone up around him when things aren’t going well, right?” Donovan began. “When things are going well, he’s damn near elite.
“But when they’re not, he makes mistakes, and he sometimes tries too hard to make plays and holds on to the ball too long and turns the ball over. And those are all things you can’t overcome if the things around you aren’t going that well.”
While the Joe typing here is lockstep with Donovan in favor of seeing how this season unfolds before putting a contract in front of Mayfield, Joe has a hard time agreeing that Mayfield can’t lift those around him.
Joe points to two wins last year.
Against San Francisco, Mayfield had little help. No Mike Evans. No Chris Godwin. No Emeka Egbuka for half the game. No Bucky Irving.
Mayfield put the Bucs on his back and absolutely willed that team to win. It wasn’t like Mayfield and the Bucs beat the sad sack Cardinals; it was the 49ers, one of the best teams in the league.
The prior week at Seattle was almost as impressive. The Bucs were also short-handed. No Evans. No Bucky. Down Luke Goedeke and Cody Mauch. Godwin limited. Mayfield had a sensational game.
Mayfield was 29 of 33 with a pair of touchdown throws, along with a sweet 27-yard pass rolling to his left to Cade Otton. Mayfield sliced up an excellent defense that became Super Bowl champs.
Problem was, the Bucs needed to see more of that after the bye and they did not. Just win one more game to get into the playoffs. It didn’t happen, which created a massive question mark for “this Joe.”
Top-shelf quarterbacks don’t lose seven of their final nine games to fall out of playoff contention, certainly not when an offense actually gets healthy. In December, the Bucs got quality stars like Evans, Godwin and Bucky back healthy.
And high-end quarterbacks certainly do not lose a critical game like the Bucs did to the tanking Dolphins with a seventh-round pick of a quarterback making his second NFL start. And that same rookie, Quinn Ewers, went toe-to-toe with Mayfield without a turnover; Mayfield had three, including two picks. (Imagine the outcry if that was America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston?)
After the season, Lavonte David claimed Mayfield was beat to hell. If that’s accurate, and Joe has zero reason to doubt David, then the Bucs did Mayfield (and the team) zero favors in not sitting him down to get him healthy.
If the team didn’t trust backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, then why the hell was he even on the roster?
But following that awful stretch after the bye, “this Joe” has to see if Mayfield bounces back. With the 2027 draft expected to be loaded with top-shelf quarterbacks, does the team really want to hitch its wagon to a quarterback who may have already peaked?
@957wdae Should the Bucs sign Baker right now or after the season? #Bucs #WeAreTheKrewe @PatandAaron @PatDonovanRadio ♬ original sound – 957wdae
May 18th, 2026 at 12:35 am
Oh boy… here comes the “We need to get rid of Baker Mayfield and draft a QB in 2027” crowd as if we’ll be drafting the reincarnation of Tom Brady next year only for us to end up pouring bleach in our eyes for 5 years at least along with resurrecting the Lost Decade…
You can do worse than Baker Mayfield as your QB. Heck, maybe if he had a Defense that could stop 3rd and 28 then he wouldn’t need to be as aggressive all the time. Oh, and if Mayfield’s NFL career didn’t consist of musical chairs of Offensive Coordinators every season, he’d be playing closer to how he did in 2024. Just saying…
May 18th, 2026 at 12:48 am
Like the majority of NFL QBs, Baker is OC dependent. We saw that Liam Koen. Not every franchise has a Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Burrow or Mahomes.
May 18th, 2026 at 1:47 am
Why not bring up how decimated the Seattle and SF defenses were? Baker has lost the last game of the season (the Evans wrong way INT vs MIA qualifies last year) with an error each of his years here. I like him but I’m in “wait and see”.
May 18th, 2026 at 1:52 am
Absolutely wait and see. Nothing motivates Baker more than a prove it year. If he can’t deal with the mental toughness of that, you don’t want him anyway.
This team shouldn’t tie itself to Baker, when there is an excellent chance the GM and HC/DC won’t be here next season.
May 18th, 2026 at 1:55 am
With Jalon Daniels on our team now, we potentially have another guy who could possibly maybe end up being a Franchise QB someday during his rookie contract, so I’d let Baker play out this season on a prove it basis before re-signing him and see how Daniels develops this year in practice etc.
I’m telling you, Daniels has that It Factor. Brock Purdy was only one pick from being undrafted, so don’t think Daniels can’t be great just because he wasn’t drafted.
Anytime Baker has gone too hollywood with a bunch of endorsements and tv spots/features etc, he has choked and gone into the tank for awhile, so I think that’s what hurt him last year mentally and then obviously he was physically injured too.
Let’s see how he performs this year before signing him.
May 18th, 2026 at 1:58 am
Baker carr has already proven to be a below average qb he straight up sucks bucs gonna be wasting money on that fool can’t even win the sorry ass nfc south with a winning record he’s just a little itty bitty bit better than jameis
May 18th, 2026 at 2:48 am
It’s business, not personal. Baker isn’t Kirk but we don’t need a 50 mil QB we regret signing. It could be an insanely fast rebuild if you get the right rookie.
May 18th, 2026 at 3:04 am
The Joe writing above made actually made the case for extending Baker now if the price is right, and I would try to load the deal with incentives.
Short of several years of tanking and rebuilding, the Bucs team not going to get significantly closer to being able to win through great adversity.
But, if the OL, Baker, and Godwin return to their best form of 2024, if Hurst and Sharp are legitimate contributors, if Bain, Trotter and Scott are the real deal, and if some combination of Parrish and McCollum and Morrison deliver solid CB play all season, the Bucs could win the Super Bowl with the relatively great luck that they had in the 2020-2021 season. That is about as good as it is ever going to get.
And, that should be true for another few years if the Bucs restocking the DL, OL and DBs.
So, yes, if there are savings to be had, resign Baker now.
May 18th, 2026 at 3:55 am
Until the Bucs get discipline and structure within the organization from top to bottom, short of finding that diamond in the ruff, the Bucs will always be that 8-10 win team. For the 2026 season, those responsible for the QB of the future have finalized their plan. One, Baker’s contract will not be extended before the season starts, two, Baker will start every game until the Bucs are eliminated from the playoffs and three, once the Bucs are eliminated, the Bucs will play to play to be to get a top five pick in the draft! Perhaps the QB of the future will be available.
May 18th, 2026 at 4:13 am
There are people afraid to draft a QB because the last drafted QB didn’t work out. Thats the type of losing mentality a lot of fans have. They would rather stay with what’s not working than risk for something better. KC, Philly, SF aren’t afraid. When the QB is playing average they move on quick which is why they go further in the playoffs.
Baker will do what he’s always done and thats lose. Healthy or “injured” Baker lead teams lose. The past 3 years have gotten worse and worse. When he starts the season playing like he did post-bye 2025, what excuses will you have for him then?
May 18th, 2026 at 4:18 am
Ask yourself over Baker’s 3 years in Tampa, where do you rank him as a QB? You have to consider all 3 years because you are signing him to a multi-yearvdeal and there will be ups and downs due to injuries, change in coaches, defensive play and Baker himself.
1) Is he a top 50% QB? Yes without a doubt. There are not 16 better QBs in the NFL today.
2) Is a top 5 QB. No. He’s not elite by the numbers statistically or by winning.
3) So where does he fall? Some say top 10 (maybe as high as 8 and others say closer to 15. Let’s split the difference and say somewhere around 10-12.
4) Can you win a SB with a QB at that level? Absolutely, but you need a pretty good defense – at least top 10 or better. In other words, a complete team that is top 10 in both O and D.
5) I’m not including ST here, but they have to be at least average. The Bucs kicking is above average, but their coverage is bad. Hoping the Bucs can be average on coverage this year with a new ST coach.
6) What are your options for the future if you are a .500 team this year?
– Take a chance on Daniels? You have to see something in practice and then play him for at least 4 or 5 games. That means benching Baker (or he’s hurt).
– Can the Bucs new QB coach develop a QB? We’ll see with Daniels.
– Are there any potential FA QBs in 2027 better than Baker? Doubtful.
– As a .500 team you are probably picking around 15th again in the 2027 draft. There will be lots of teams looking for a QB in the draft probably drafting ahead of the Bucs (or trading in front of them). Maybe you get the 4th or 5th QB in the draft, Bo Nix or JJ McCarthy equivalent.
So what do you do? You wait – some. Around the time of the bye week you make a decision on your season and your future. Are you in with Baker or are you moving on with your Kansas rookie/drafting a 2027 QB? That’s a team Glazer and Jason Licht call. If it’s anything other than re-signing Baker, the Bucs aren’t doing well and Todd Bowles is gone.
May 18th, 2026 at 4:23 am
I know making a decision at the bye week can be dangerous, The Bucs looked like SB contenders at the bye in 2025 and then we saw what happened due to injuries and a bad defense.
May 18th, 2026 at 4:33 am
I was a Trask guy when he was here but after he was gifted the starting position I pulled for Baker. That writer definitely does not watch Bucs games. The only things that stops Baker is himself, when he gets injured. When he’s healthy, there’s no other quarterback I want under my center. Sign him now! If you wait until after the season and he stays healthy, he’s going to cost 50M.
May 18th, 2026 at 4:56 am
What other teams will draft a QB in 2027?
Definitely and will pick ahead of the Bucs – Dolphins (lots of draft capital), Jets (lots of draft capital), Cardinals
Definitely and will pick around the same range as the Bucs – Steelers
May go QB depending upon how their 2026 season goes – Browns (lots of draft capital), Colts, Eagles (GM always willing to tade up), Saints, Panthers, Falcons, Vikings
Will jason Licht be willing to trade up, sacrificing a #1 pick from 2028 or both a #1 and #2 pick to get the #3 QB? if the 2027 draft is going to be QB heavy, then teams in the top 10 not drafting a QB will ask for a premium price if the Bucs want to trade up and we know how much JL values his picks.
May 18th, 2026 at 5:54 am
Sadly, Donovan’s sentiment has been mine since the 2024 season. When other fans challenge me on who should we bring in here instead, realistically available, I don’t have an answer, it’s the state of the QB position, it’s full of mediocrity. What I do know is Baker isn’t going to win us anything. I’m rooting for him and as a fan, I hope I’m wrong, but he’s a version of Sam Darnold with more swagger. This team has to be loaded where we simply can’t ask too much from Baker. There are so many offensive series that define Baker. It’s the stiff arm of Bosa in 2024, followed by not being able to get 6 on a first goal at the 6, we get 6 we mostly likely win it. It’s last season’s Falcons’ game where the 3rd and 28 is all anyone talks about, and yet Baker in 2 of the last series, could have put the game away, instead he throws a terrible INT, and then in our final possession he couldn’t shoulder one more first down to salt the game away. We don’t need gaudy numbers from Baker, we need him to be a closer. When the lights are the brightest, it’s simply not his strength.
May 18th, 2026 at 6:32 am
You have to resign Baker for 3 years and look for an upgrade in the meantime.
You can’t just say he’s not the answer if you don’t have a better solution. At some point you have to spend high draft pick or picks and develop a young QB. Bowles is not the guy to develop one, he never has. If you want Baker gone who is it that you think will be better that you can actually get? Do not want to be like Jets, Steelers and Raiders going years with no QB solutions. Sam Darnold proved coaching matters.
May 18th, 2026 at 6:33 am
Because the Bucs have such a stellar record of drafting top-notch franchise QBs …
May 18th, 2026 at 6:34 am
I’ve been saying for the past few seasons – If the Bucs are going to win a Super Bowl with Baker they will need a top 5 defense, top 5 running game and a top 5 special teams unit…
I don’t believe Sam Darnold is that much better than Baker and he just won a SB with Seattle…
May 18th, 2026 at 6:36 am
Success for Baker depends on STRUCTURE and DISCIPLINE! From top to bottom, the Bucs have neither! Both of these combined with Baker’s lack of at times, self-discipline, compounds negative game decisions he makes! If the new OC can bring a little structure and discipline to the offense and Baker makes less boneheaded decisions, the Bucs will have success. If not, Baker watches the last have if season from the bench.
May 18th, 2026 at 6:44 am
so true… Baker is not Tom Brady with laser accuracy and great at every aspect of the game. that with a great defense is what won a sb. trent dilfer won a sb bc he had a great defense good running game and he didn’t turn the ball over. Baker had turned the ball over in critical moments, when his career is over what will people say about him? good qb who couldn’t win the big game consistently? to do anything this year the o line has to stay healthy baker needs help
May 18th, 2026 at 6:58 am
One in the hand!
May 18th, 2026 at 7:19 am
Anyone who thinks Baker was responsible for how last season ended did not watch the games. It was painfully obvious having both guards out completely shut down our offense. There was no time for anything and Baker couldn’t step into a single pass. The pass rush was getting to him on any down he didn’t immediately dump off the ball like a hot potato!
May 18th, 2026 at 7:52 am
In Brady’s last season with the Patriots he lost badly and didn’t play well. If he was washed up like Bilechick said, how did he win the Super Bowl the following year with the Bucs? Well, he didn’t have a good surrounding cast of players in Boston, but Tampa did. Gronk said it was the best team he ever played on.
Baker didn’t have a good team as the season progressed because of injuries to both him and his offensive line.
2025 is in the rear view mirror ? The coaching staff was purged of poor coaches. It’s a new season. There will be growing pains, but the Bucs can win the NFC SOUTH. The Super bowl is a daunting task, but nevertheless possible. Look at what happened to the Patriots. They made it to the Super Bowl ?.
The Sports world is littered with lazy and poor analysts. Tampa is building a Super bowl run team. It may not be this year. Another good draft and lookout NFL!
May 18th, 2026 at 8:20 am
@Scottymack: Bucs have drafted just 4 QBs since 2009.
Josh Freeman J. Winston Mike Glennon and Trask. So in 17 years they used 2 firsts a second and third round picks. They need to draft more QBs in mid late rounds every year until they find a guy because JL can’t and won’t draft a qb in first round. There are guys every year to take a flyer on in rounds 4-7. This year was Cole Payton and Drew Allar. SF didn’t need Purdy when they spent a 7th round pick on him. Turned out pretty good .
May 18th, 2026 at 8:31 am
What a load of BS. The guy has put the team on his back multiple times. Is he tom brady and instant super bowl ….no….but really who else is? TB was a once in a generation talent and we got him for a couple years.
May 18th, 2026 at 8:41 am
Baker Mayfield isn’t the leader that TB12 was
The players were overjoyed with Brady departure and Mayfield arrival.
They said that Brady stressed them out, said he was too demanding
Brady demanded perfection, Mayfield laugh and joke with them
The QB is the team leader, and the most important player
You can say that Baker rose to the occasion for two games
But, you have to do it for 17 games in the NFL
May 18th, 2026 at 8:50 am
The Bucs have never drafted a quarterback or developed one. Not even one that has taken them to a Super Bowl. Both that have won It all were from other teams. Other teams that signed our drafted quarterbacks had to develop and put teams around them won with them. It will not change.
May 18th, 2026 at 9:00 am
Purdy isn’t that great, made his name as a rookie and what has he done since? Yeah he’s been hurt too but what is he. He’s a MEH! Josh Allen is probably the most talented QB in the league right now. He play’s just like Baker but is built like a big linebacker and stronger, yet he gets hurt too. He was the only guy the Bills had and still beat us last year, had nobody else to help him but that is a testament to how bad our defense was to let 1 guy beat us. And what has he done for Buffalo, how far have they gone? Sam Darnold I don’t think is near as good as Mayfield but had a team around him and stayed healthy and made good decisions. Point is any QB is 1 guy and it takes more than just him to get the team to win. Even Brady had weapons around him, he was the one lobbying for other players to be brought in and who was that? Offensive help. He knew he needed playmakers around him and he was the best. It’s not rocket surgery. Mayfield is fine if #1 he stays healthy and #2 has help. But he needs #2 to stay #1
May 18th, 2026 at 9:03 am
They were so decimated Seattle won the toughest division in the NFL (and later the Super Bowl) and San Francisco made the playoffs) playing in the same division.
May 18th, 2026 at 9:20 am
SF was without Brock lol…Seattle was banged up defensively when we played them lol….c’mon joe lol…you gotta do better…those QBs/teams got better in the month of NOV& DEC…..baker choked
happy you mentioned the MIA game tho lol….
with that said, Baker has a ton to prove…fail to win a playoff game this year and he’s holding a clipboard in 2027
GO BUCS!!!!
May 18th, 2026 at 10:03 am
If the Bucs drop a bag on Mayfield and Bowles gets launched, how many really good coaches are going to want Mayfield over a really good rookie QB they can develop?
May 18th, 2026 at 10:08 am
“Purdy isn’t that great, made his name as a rookie and what has he done since?”
Year 2 he went to a Super Bowl and finished 4th in MVP voting.
Career completion % of 67.9%, with a high 69.4% in 2 different season and a low of 65.9%. Purdy has more seasons completing >64% of his passes only being in the league 4 years compare to Bakers 2 seasons completing >64% of his passes in 8 years. I could make an argument Purdy is more accurate and efficient than Mayfield.
Signed a $265M extension and not many in the 49ers fansphere are questioning if he’s worth it.
May 18th, 2026 at 10:28 am
Baker played the entire season in panic mode. Second half of the season even more so. He got rid of the ball in 2.5 seconds because he had to, not by design. Routes weren’t coming open, but he had to get rid of the ball with the collapsed pocket. By the end of the season, he was looking for the pocket to collapse instead of receivers. It was bad play by Baker. He had lost all confidence in the offensive line and it affected his play decisively. It can be blamed on the offensive line, but Baker has to shoulder a lot of the blame too. He looked very much like Brady did in his last year with the Bucs. Duck and cover is a bad look for any QB. Not even Brady could overcome the decimated line the Bucs trotted out for him to play with. Baker was the same.
The extension signing is only a matter of when and how much. Waiting will only cost more. Good season and way more. If you dump Baker after a mediocre season without a contract, you get nothing in trade unless you can trade him with the franchise tag. The indication is the Bucs like Baker and intend to sign him. There is no reason to wait out the season if that is true. Only if Baker totally implodes would that be the correct choice. Go to the dive bar and get the contract done. It will be a lot cheaper now than a year from now. The trolls will get over it. Well, some of them…..
May 18th, 2026 at 10:32 am
how about putting a defense on the field that isn’t in the bottom 3rd, and upgrade one of the worse special teams in the NFL, then judging the QB on win/loss. Not making excuses, but just adding facts. Darnold became a super bowl winner when he played on a team with the best defense in the league.
May 18th, 2026 at 10:44 am
I could make an argument Purdy is more accurate and efficient than Mayfield.
MIKE EVANS SAID: PREACH!!!!!!!….LOL…
GO BUCS!!!!
May 18th, 2026 at 11:09 am
WBL. Baker’s first 4 years in the NFL was with a team that, when he joined them, was the worst team in the NFL. Probably in the history of the NFL. Purdy joined what was one of the best teams in the NFL. Hard stats. First 4 years. Baker 14000 passing 95 TD passes. Purdy 11000 passing yards and 82 TD passes. Purdy with a way better team in every aspect. WBL. 265 million for Purdy. Hmm. Very interesting.
May 18th, 2026 at 11:14 am
If we are honest about baker you recognize both his strengths and weaknesses. He can lead and is tough but he is a tad short and plays reckless (hurt, bad Oline, etc.). If he calmed downed and was more like Brady (smart/efficient) vs forcing the ball when he can’t see the field. Baker is a qb that you need all the team to be doing their job for him to consistently succeed. Is there a replacement qb for him that is better? Not at the moment and the draft is a crap shoot. Bowles and Baker are tied together. If Bucs have a winning season and win 2 games in the playoffs then they both stay. If they do less than win 2 playoff games then Bowles is done and depending on Baker’s stats he is a maybe. If we have a losing season then Bowles is gone and a replacement qb is brought in via draft. A year later baker is the backup or traded away. So sign baker but 45 million max per year. Likely 3 year max.
May 18th, 2026 at 11:17 am
Bakers money is Huge right now. Add to that? We got nada behind him right now. I checked the unsigned FAs. Also nada. If I had to bet, Baker is gonna get nicked at some point this year. Smart money is on later Joe.
Go Bucs!
May 18th, 2026 at 11:31 am
“WBL. Baker’s first 4 years in the NFL was with a team that, when he joined them, was the worst team in the NFL”
Yea, we’re not talking about the Browns, we’re talking player to player comparison.
So with what you stated in Mayfields first 4 years was 14,125 passing yards, 61% cumulative completions percentage, 95 TDs, and 56 INTS over 60 games.
Mayfield:
235 pass yds/game
1.5 passing TDs/game
.9 INTs/game
Brock Purdy, 11,685 passing yards, 67.9% cumulative, 84 TDs to 37 INTs in just 49 games or his first 4 years.
238 pass yds/game
1.7 passing TDs/game
.7 INTs/game
Take ^ this and multiply it times 11 then throw it on top of Purdys’ totals and it’d make a first 60 game to first 60 game comparison
14,303 pass yards
102 TDs
45 Ints
vs.
14,125 pass yards
95 TDs
56 INTs
You tried Kenton.
May 18th, 2026 at 11:44 am
Joe Says; And along with Baker Mayfield (who we learned from Lavonte David after the season was beat to hell), Bucky Irving, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Tristan Wirfs, Ben Bredeson, Cody Mauch, Luke Goedeke, Jalen McMillan and now Egbuka, the Bucs offense really was the walking wounded last season.
^^^^^^
So Baker failed by not lifting up the offense around him ?
A stretcher requires two and a casket requires six.
And the defense lay whimpering in the corner because they were given the wrong flavor lollipop.
May 18th, 2026 at 11:55 am
View things from Bakers viewpoint.
View things from the owners viewpoint.
Only then will you see the clash of viewpoints.
The game of brinksmanship is afoot.
Both camps have leverage.
This is why I can foresee a stalemate and a possible Mayfield trade request.
May 18th, 2026 at 11:59 am
He’s not wrong
May 18th, 2026 at 12:04 pm
Joe says; But following that awful stretch after the bye, “this Joe” has to see if Mayfield bounces back. With the 2027 draft expected to be loaded with top-shelf quarterbacks, does the team really want to hitch its wagon to a quarterback who may have already peaked?
^^^^^
That is precisely why Baker may get a trade request granted.
The Bucs are talking up the QB room.
I’m not saying any of the other QB’s are starter worthy but one of them may have to be relied upon in a pinch.
May 18th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
So Rodgers has now signed with the Steelers for a known amount (22-25mil) that is significantly less that Baker makes now and far less than a new contract pay him.
I still smell a trade and the Bucs angling for a top 2027 QB pick.
May 18th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
Going for a franchise QB in the draft is the ONLY REASON I can figure keeping Bowles around as a lame duck head coach. Likely the Entire Team hasn’t forgotten last seasons crap show and the actual chances for a Great year are actually pretty slim under his leadership. Hench….. keep the lame duck and attempt to tank for a high draft pick the shady way and not the straight forward way, Just like they attempted with Coen.. Not sure if that’s the best way to go about it. Then again Coen was a smart guy.. So…
Now THAT makes sense. And I’m not saying they’ll get rid of Mayfield immediately but who knows? It ALL depends on how the next seasons going AFTER we get past the trade deadline and the bye week… And frankly, Just How Good of a season Baker’s having.. It Will cost more if he’s on fire but I’m Sure they’re willing to gamble on the outcome without sweating over the extra 5 million
May 18th, 2026 at 12:17 pm
WBL. Try as you might Baker smoked Purdy in TDs and yards. In their first 4 years. Simple. And if Purdy hangs numbers the next 4 resembling what Baker did his next 4, well. Forget it. Ain’t happening. Purdy is just not as good.
May 18th, 2026 at 12:18 pm
Rodgers likely doesn’t have a no trade clause in his new contract.
His camp seems to have been most concerned about him being benched and he wants to be able to be traded if he is benched.
Perhaps they failed to see the situation here in Tampa but the owners did not.
May 18th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
And saying Mayfield has peaked shows total disregard for good football sense. He is just now reaching a QBs peak and it may last for another 4 or 5 years.
May 18th, 2026 at 12:21 pm
“WBL. Try as you might Baker smoked Purdy in TDs and yards. In their first 4 years. Simple. And if Purdy hangs numbers the next 4 resembling what Baker did his next 4, well. Forget it. Ain’t happening. Purdy is just not as good.”
Facts over feelings Kenton, you’re reply is about as predictable as an a-gap run in ’22 or ’23 for that matter.
May 18th, 2026 at 12:21 pm
“WBL. Try as you might Baker smoked Purdy in TDs and yards. In their first 4 years. Simple. And if Purdy hangs numbers the next 4 resembling what Baker did his next 4, well. Forget it. Ain’t happening. Purdy is just not as good.”
Facts over feelings Kenton, you’re reply is about as predictable as an a-gap run in ’22 or ’23 for that matter.
May 18th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
And Baker in Pittsburg would reunite him with the AFC North where he could exact revenge on his old Ohio buddies.
I truly hope Baker stays here with my favorite team but I’m becoming more and more concerned that he will leave.
May 18th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
Sal. Mayfield is not about to request a trade. He’s under contract and will fulfill that playing the game the exact same way he plays every game he’s ever played. Barring Baker being sidelined for any long stretch this season we’re positioned to have a great season, whether Baker has a new deal or not.
May 18th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
May 18th, 2026 at 12:21 pm
^^^^
Your comment is totally irrelevant.
May 18th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
Obvious One Says:
May 18th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
^^^^
You must have been reading my comments over the past few weeks.
May 18th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
Kenton Smith Says:
May 18th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
Sal. Mayfield is not about to request a trade. He’s under contract and will fulfill that playing the game the exact same way he plays every game he’s ever played.
^^^^
I hope you are right. But when Baker looks ahead and stares at a franchise tag limiting his opportunities factoring in age and possible injuries he quite possibly views a 4 year deal as his best scenario.
In my view the owners MIGHT offer him a 3 year deal but no more than that.
There lies the stalemate.
May 18th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
Sal Volatile Says:
May 18th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
And Baker in Pittsburg would reunite him with the AFC North where he could exact revenge on his old Ohio buddies.
^^^
Wishful, almost juvenile thinking.
May 18th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
WBL -Wishful, almost juvenile thinking.
^^^^^
juvenile…..I do believe I recently used that word in a comment pointed toward you. I’m pleased that I could add to your vocabulary.
May 18th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
BBBB. So you’ve named 18 QBs better than Mayfield. You do know, that Baker has much better stats than 17 of 18 of those guys, passing and running, the last 3 years? Do you not know that? You really are an insufferable troll, aren’t you? Must suck knocking your very own team. But you have alot of pull with this team, you’ve already told us that. And thanks to your efforts this team will get rid of Baker and return to the Glory Days of Bucs stellar offensive mastery of the game of football. You reckon? I reckon you don’t know your butt from a hole in the ground.
May 18th, 2026 at 1:40 pm
BBBB…. You must have been the scrawny kid always losing his lunch money to the schoolyard bully and now you are trying to be that bully because you can hide on the internet.
May 18th, 2026 at 1:48 pm
“BBBB…. You must have been the scrawny kid always losing his lunch money to the schoolyard bully and now you are trying to be that bully because you can hide on the internet”
See? you’re imagination isn’t just contained to waxing poetically about Baker as if he’s the ghost of Andrew Luck or Uncle Rico in real life
Lemme guess, big J.R.R. Tolkien fan? Endeared to loving hobbitses whether it be middle-earth or midfield lol
May 18th, 2026 at 2:31 pm
“I actually think Bowles would get better results with a better QB”. I swear to God, you’re a genius BBBB.
May 18th, 2026 at 2:36 pm
BBBB, for a fan to hold the truth to be self evident to your opinion which credit to you, you never weave or bob from statements or questions; however, if you have a video or a notarized statement with ME#13 saying the reason he went to SF was Baker, would you please post it!
May 18th, 2026 at 3:40 pm
Haha I don’t know how anyone could say all Baker does is lose.
This is a QB early in his career that helped get the BROWNS, the CLEVELAND BROWNS to the playoffs! First time in 20 years!
If dragging the Browns and the Jets to the playoffs was easy, it would happen more often than every 10-20 years.
With a legit OC and OL, Baker went to the playoffs after throwing for 4500 and 40 tds vs what was it … 15 picks?
He is not good enough to win on his own. With a legit D and OC … he can win playoffs games. No doubt in my mind. What else do we want? Throw that away for the unknown… everyone talks the draft being a crap shoot… taking a chance to save money is how you become the Jets and Browns. Those chances rarely work out.
May 18th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
For all the Baker haters that claim not to be Baker haters but continually disparage Baker by presenting any and all of the stats that you can possibly dig up, factual or not, in the most negative manner possible against him and then claim not to dislike the guy but insist that the Bucs cannot win with him I ask this ;
Who do you want to replace him ?
Who do you think can do a better job?
Could you do a better job ?
May 18th, 2026 at 3:59 pm
Baker derangement syndrome is a mental illness and it is real.
May 18th, 2026 at 3:59 pm
^^^^
*sad violin plays as a downpour of a midnight storm crescendoes in the background*
May 18th, 2026 at 4:03 pm
^^^^^^
Like I said, mental illness is real.
May 18th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
These Baker debates illustrate perfectly the saying: if you believe, no proof is necessary; if you don’t believe, no proof will convince. This is for believers on both sides. There is no shortage of data for Baker. The real fools are the agnostics, who say we need one more year to decide. They are dishonest. All I can say to them is that that is what you said last year and that is what you will say again after this year. But if I am the owner of a team who has a player who gins up this much passion among my customers in the coldest part of the offseason, I think I’ll keep him. Are fans this hot about Purdy? Rodgers?
May 18th, 2026 at 4:27 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
May 18th, 2026 at 1:48 pm; Lemme guess, big J.R.R. Tolkien fan? Endeared to loving hobbitses whether it be middle-earth or midfield lol
^^^^^
I have never read a word of it, wouldn’t waste my time.
I read to educate myself not to fantasize.
For entertainment I prefer Hemingway. He’s as real as it gets.
Lemme guess…you are a big Hans Christian Andersen fan aren’t you ?
May 18th, 2026 at 4:34 pm
Mobucs Says:
May 18th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
These Baker debates illustrate perfectly the saying: if you believe, no proof is necessary; if you don’t believe, no proof will convince. This is for believers on both sides. There is no shortage of data for Baker. The real fools are the agnostics, who say we need one more year to decide. They are dishonest. All I can say to them is that that is what you said last year and that is what you will say again after this year. But if I am the owner of a team who has a player who gins up this much passion among my customers in the coldest part of the offseason, I think I’ll keep him. Are fans this hot about Purdy? Rodgers?
^^^^^
That’s a d*** good point you make.
May 18th, 2026 at 4:42 pm
And just where did Mobucs come from ? A rational and thoughtful comment without the presentation of boatloads of meaningless stats is not welcomed by some on this site. More of the former and less of the latter is needed here.
May 18th, 2026 at 5:14 pm
While I of course agree with the 2nd part of that, I have to take some issue with the first part.
Were we not 6-2 to start last season, while missing Mike Evans and Chris Godwin for most of that stretch? Did Baker not play any part in that?
Now the real question is: can he do that consistently? Or even just play consistently? History so far has shown us- no, he can not. But that has also always coincided with him being injured…
That said, I’m okay waiting to pay him. So what if it costs more? We have a team of professionals who can figure those details out if the time comes.
May 18th, 2026 at 5:24 pm
Baker seems like a great guy, and on occasion when everything lines up, he plays really well. But too much variance in his play and his decisions when the game is in the line. Too many Dilfer/Jameis brainfart decisions and too much hero ball. Between him and the ol ball coach, I don’t see a Super Bowl Any time soon. Hope I’m wrong.
May 18th, 2026 at 6:55 pm
so this first six games of last year weren’t proof of that he can lift the team? how well did Tom Brady lift the whole team on his own in 2022? Josh Allen hasn’t lifted a team on his own to the super yet so he’s not a good quarterback? the Chiefs went 6-8 last year in games Mahomes started… should they cut him because he didn’t lift the team on his own? what a marvelous question posed here.
It’s a team sport. this is hyperbole.
Baker is a solid quarterback who has shown capacity to do some pretty terrific things. we also know what his weaknesses can be. so a contract matching his value will be negotiated… unless you’d rather take a chance on all of the young talent on this team and enter the QB wilderness and potentially another decade of darkness. because a team without even a solid QB in this league can fall off the edge real fast.
May 18th, 2026 at 7:20 pm
BBBB, I agree that for a QB in the NFL, being efficient and consistent is the ultimate keys to success, but are not both of those intertwined with the present of structure and discipline? Structure and discipline that lacks identity in the Bucs organization at all levels. Structure begins with those folks writing the checks. Checks paid to those who manage and coach in the organization whose responsibility includes discipline. Teams with discipline win close games, keep turnovers to a minimum and play smarter not harder.
May 18th, 2026 at 7:20 pm
Not very long ago the Bucs selected a Heisman Trophy winner QB with the #1 pick.
The Bucs now have a Heisman trophy winner and #1 pick currently playing for them.
Think it through boys and girls.
May 18th, 2026 at 7:22 pm
BBBB, I agree that for a QB in the NFL, being efficient and consistent is the ultimate keys to success, but are not both of those intertwined with the present of structure and discipline? The Bucs have neither!
May 18th, 2026 at 7:30 pm
Mayfield’s play declined when he was injured…..big surprise. I think a lot of the haters forget that when he is one, top 10 QB, scratching top 5.
May 18th, 2026 at 7:36 pm
Haters keep going and theyll chase him out of town then realize what a good QB look like when this team goes on a 10 year playoff drought again. Seriously, Baler has had a new OC every year. When he had a good one, he was elite. The o line was banged up last year, baker was also injured mid season. Gizzard was a bad OC. Please stop the hate, its madness. This franchise has never drafted a developed a QB. If they want Baker to succeed, need to get rid of our Defensive HC and turn the keys over to an offensive guru that can help Baker. Til then, we wont see what Baker can be consistently. Not a shocker there.
May 18th, 2026 at 7:37 pm
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone?
^^^^^
Some of you, very few if any I suspect, will recognize those words from a Joni Mitchell song entitled Big Yellow Taxi.
If Baker gets away and your favorite team ends up in quarterback pandemonium…..well I’ll just leave it at that.
May 18th, 2026 at 7:39 pm
Ben Says:
May 18th, 2026 at 7:36 pm
^^^^^
You and I were having similar thoughts at the same time.
May 18th, 2026 at 7:51 pm
BBBB
^^^^
You must be one very successful real estate developer to afford yourself the luxury of spending lots of your very valuable time making irrelevant meaningless comments on this site.
I wish my years spent as a business man had afforded me that much luxury time. I found that wasted time and distractions meant a loss of income.
However I suppose that since you are also an accountant you can make the books appear the way you want them to appear.
May 18th, 2026 at 8:10 pm
BBBB
^^^^
If you put as much effort into your business as you do your voluminous efforts loaded with meaningless facts trying to justify your views and assert superiority you could overtake the Mackle Brothers. Have you ever heard of them?
May 18th, 2026 at 8:18 pm
BBBB
^^^^
The difference between you and me is this BBBB.
“I wish my years spent as a business man”…..so your retired? Living the good life, jets, trips,luxury,etc? I usually don’t do this but I assume you weren’t a rich guy.”
The smile on my face is very rewarding because I know what you don’t know and you don’t know squat about me.
You are the one who has chosen to boast about yourself.
May 18th, 2026 at 8:21 pm
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
May 19th, 2026 at 1:31 pm
So sick of hearing from these “experts” about what Baker didn’t do last year. Here is an idea, just put Baker out there with no O Line. Just a center. Can hear the dolts now. “He doesn’t rise to the occasion.” Baker was beaten up unmercifully behind a javee line last year. Going to follow the path of last years 3rd string guards this year. Betting that they will be selling insurance in 2026.
May 19th, 2026 at 3:30 pm
“Top-shelf quarterbacks don’t lose seven of their final nine games to fall out of playoff contention, certainly not when an offense actually gets healthy. In December, the Bucs got quality stars like Evans, Godwin and Bucky back healthy.”
These kind of takes make it blatant the Joe writing this, doesn’t actually know the game.
He failed to mention at that same exact moment, our entire offense, not just BAKER, was dealing with a patchwork O-LINE. The building blocks of any successful football TEAM, is it’s O-LINE. If you have problems there, your entire team has problems. You cannot blame that on the QB.
May 19th, 2026 at 10:50 pm
Dre . That was at the beginning of the season not the middle or the end of the season and actually they gave up less sacks at the beginning of the season. Defenses adjust to the way Baker Mayfield plays. Every team knows that if you keep him in the pocket he’s a one read Quarterback because he can’t see over the line. And stop with the hurt talk because ain’t no player is a 100 percent regardless of the position. Josh Allen played with a broken foot most of the year and he lead his team to the playoffs and he actually put his offence on his back. The 49ers had more injuries than us and they still won 12 games with the quarterback every one say he’s not a good quarterback. This is the same quarterback that people say Baker is better than even though he played in 2 NFC Championship and a Superbowl and not to mention being down by 21 points to get them to a Superbowl by the same team Baker threw a pick and lost the game on the second play. The Baker injury excuse is over this year for him the defense will be much better so it’s time for him to show up.
May 21st, 2026 at 7:49 am
One player on a roster of 53 couldn’t single-handedly win a bunch of games on his own? Geez, what a shocker (/s). People’s expectations are goofy – there are maybe 2-3 QBs in the league that would hace done better in the situation Baker was in last year (injuries to others, injuries to himself, a 1st-time playcaller, a HC that lost the locker room, etc.). Even Mahomes couldn’t pur the Chiefs on his back last year and they missed the playoffs.
Baker isn’t perfect as a QB, but he’s good enough for the Bucs to compete for a SB with a good team around him, just like almost every QB that has won a SB in league history.