Important Step For Baker Mayfield Comes Monday
October 3rd, 2026
Another update.
How quickly can Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield get back on the football field?
Well, now we have a second mention from an NFL insider in the past three days suggesting Mayfield is busting his tail to be in uniform against the Steelers two weeks from tomorrow.
Per NFL insider Tom Pelissero on his Substack page, Mayfield is expected to have a procedure Monday where stitches are planned to be removed. Once that happens, the proverbial horse is out of the gate to reach the finish line of the Steelers game.
[Mayfield] got good news from tests that showed no fracture or ligament or tendon damage. Now it’s a matter of reducing the swelling and removing the stitches, which bother him when he grips the football. There’s also a healing process that must take place after the stitches are out, and he has to be able to grip the ball without stability issues.
It’d be tough, but not impossible, for Mayfield to return for Week 5, given the quick turnaround to a Thursday-night road game at Dallas. But Tampa Bay’s next game after that isn’t until October 18 against the Steelers—a potential target date if Mayfield can convince the Bucs’ doctors and coaches he’s good to go.
Fresh in Joe’s memory is the horrible 2-7 stretch Mayfield had last year after the bye week (which is exactly why “this Joe” wanted a prove-it year for Mayfield this season). T
The narrative from the Bucs all offseason was that Mayfield was beat to hell last year and that is why he played poorly and a big reason why the Bucs gagged after the bye to blow a playoff berth despite starting 6-2.
So if all that is true, can’t someone at One Buc Palace play the role of an adult and tell Mayfield, “Relax, man, get healthy first?”
The Bucs are 0-3. An 0-4 start with a loss tomorrow all but ends their season (one team in NFL history has made the playoffs starting 0-4). If somehow Jalon Daniels wins tomorrow (or in Dallas on Thursday), the Bucs will need a fully healthy Mayfield, not some guy with a banged-up throwing hand trying to sling the ball all over the place.
Having guts and a warrior mentality are wonderful traits. But they are not more important than common sense.
October 3rd, 2026 at 11:37 am
Really feel baker should take some time “playing coach”. Learn the playbook. Learn Zac’s style and play calling. Come back like you’ve been in this system for years
October 3rd, 2026 at 11:42 am
No need to rush it….season is over. You’ll just rush injuring it even more!
October 3rd, 2026 at 11:49 am
I don’t let him see the field if Daniels is winning. Have a sneaky feeling this offense is finally going to click with JD @ QB. Baker needs some more humble pie to get his edge back. Going all the way back to bye last year, Mayfield has looked scared in the pocket. I don’t see him throwing receivers open anymore. Instead he’s playing like Jameis, look for an open receiver then throw it at him. That works in high school & college, but not in the NFL. That’s the key for Daniel’s, read it, trust it and let it rip!
October 3rd, 2026 at 11:55 am
Sean McDermitt for Bucs HC 2027! (Or any OC that is equivalent to Coen!)
October 3rd, 2026 at 11:55 am
Get Mayfield healthy no matter how long it takes so we can possibly find another team willing to trade for him and swallow that fat, undeserved $165M contract!
October 3rd, 2026 at 11:56 am
To me, the only Buc on the offense that demonstrates determination and grit is Mayfield. If it was Brady behind this OL we would have seen endless “dirt passes” each game. Screw it, I hope Mayfield is out for an extended period. Give Daniels 3-4 games and watch the results: 1) Daniels becomes a star (5%) or 2) The JL/TB regime is further exposed to be incompetent (95%).
October 3rd, 2026 at 12:08 pm
If Daniels craps the bed,hopefully it’ll happen sooner the later..Stick knows Robinson and he lit it up in college,Maybe we’ll get a look at him also..Just chill Baker..
October 3rd, 2026 at 12:08 pm
Irrelevant news. Season is already toast. Hopefully, Bucs trade a bunch of overpaid, useless vets like VV, Winfield, Diaby, etc..for the next HC and new GM.
October 3rd, 2026 at 12:24 pm
The problem is Mayfield is a QB stuck in a wanna-be fullback’s body.
Bro – SLIDE! Get out of bounds! Do NOT initiate contact unless it’s the Superbowl and it’s now or never.
His mind needs to be transformed and renewed. He is way too reckless.
If he can play much, much smarter, this season has a chance. It’s all in Baker’s head.
Now IF Daniels balls out, then we have many interesting discussions upcoming, but until then, just heal up Baker.
October 3rd, 2026 at 12:34 pm
If Daniels plays well enough to win one or two games, he’s done his job. Don’t look for that to last. Baker Mayfield will be back on the field as soon as he’s cleared to play. No sooner no later.
Go Bucs !!
Beat the Packers !!
October 3rd, 2026 at 12:35 pm
Keep him off the field. Please.
October 3rd, 2026 at 12:40 pm
If Jaylon Daniels plays well enough to win one or two games, he’s done his job. Baker Mayfield will be back in the game as soon as he’s cleared to play. No sooner, no later !!
Go Bucs !!
Beat the Packers !!
October 3rd, 2026 at 12:42 pm
Guy is absolutely terrified of losing his job, as he should be after going 2-10.
October 3rd, 2026 at 12:44 pm
What’s the rush…and what a disaster!
Baker was easy to root for as a reclamation project at $5 million for one season.
He’s an unmitigated disaster at $55 million per season moving forward.
Hurry back so Heyward, Highsmith and TJ Watt can knock the chocolate out of him? The excellent plan!
October 3rd, 2026 at 12:45 pm
“…he has to be able to grip the ball without stability issues.”
Methinks we’ll be waiting awhile until Baker Mayfield gets to this point.
October 3rd, 2026 at 12:46 pm
I’d agree TBBFan…but his contract is guaranteed…and he’s pretty much un-tradeable with that guaranteed contract at Josh Allen money.
October 3rd, 2026 at 12:46 pm
We’ve seen what he can do healthy. Being injured only makes it worse.
Keep him out until week 7. That way our 0-6 record provides zero pressure to win.
And he’ll probably still lose anyway. He’s the Todd Bowles of QB’s.
Lose more than he wins. But gets those style points.
Glazers care more for moxy than the scoreboard.
October 3rd, 2026 at 1:02 pm
Scared of being in the pocket and playing with no ability to grip the ball. Recipe for success, no doubt. How can any coach allow that?
October 3rd, 2026 at 1:05 pm
No fracture, ligament or tendon damage, yet they had to cut on him? Why? Makes no sense.
October 3rd, 2026 at 1:08 pm
@BucfaninOregon
Out of morbid curiosity how are ‘endless dirt passes” worse than endless dirt fumbles?
If I understand your post correctly you’re saying Mayfield is a superior quarterback to Brady. If I’m understanding you correctly I respectfully disagree, sir. At this point I’m not sure if Mayfield is a better QB than Winston.
At least Jameis kept his eyes downfield instead of ducking his head and bracing for impact.
October 3rd, 2026 at 1:08 pm
Joe, Daniels needs a good showing to play at Dallas. My guess is they’re getting Stick, or Rypen ready for Dallas, don’t you think?
October 3rd, 2026 at 1:10 pm
@Hodad,
I wondered the same thing. We’ll see!
October 3rd, 2026 at 1:12 pm
Very much agree with you. I wanted a prove it year too Joe. Now I hope he is a bridge qb for someone we draft. Why is nobody talking about Cj Carr. He is going to be a very very good. Has been bred to play football like a Manning. We could trade down and pick up extra picks and get him probably mid first. I know it’s early in season but I don’t see things getting much better and at this point hope they don’t. Sick of being a 50% win team. He’ll maybe bring Marcus Freeman with him.
October 3rd, 2026 at 1:26 pm
Seems to me that all of you guys screaming for him to slide are missing a vital point…
The dislocated thumb came on a play in the pocket, when the pocket collapsed… which has been happening FAR TOO OFTEN this season…
The O-Line has been pure crap for most of the season so far.
October 3rd, 2026 at 1:26 pm
Stitches? Good grief. Damaged goods with a 100 million payout. Another Buc Blunder of the first magnitude.
October 3rd, 2026 at 1:29 pm
Trade him and take the loss.
October 3rd, 2026 at 1:31 pm
Pocket collapsed because mayfield hesitated. Unrealistic to expect more than 4 secs to throw
October 3rd, 2026 at 1:33 pm
D Rok
I’d settle for just being able to see and hit an open receiver.
October 3rd, 2026 at 1:41 pm
Now….
What was all that screaming and writhing about from a sprained thumb?
I get that it hurts but I also get that it’s not the first sprained thumb Baker has ever had.
The announcers in the booth could hear him screaming.
It is what it is now.
October 3rd, 2026 at 1:42 pm
would be hard for daniels not to good vs packers even pennix did. would give false hope to fans
October 3rd, 2026 at 1:50 pm
Jesus Christ are coaches and players that disconnected from reality? Rush back for what?!? Was we winning games with this guy, hell no! We don’t need ya man! I hope JD does well and keeps this clown on the bench!
October 3rd, 2026 at 1:55 pm
It’s fine to have some hope that Daniels will play well but he isn’t going to fix our terrible interior Oline, he might just be better at escaping pressure as he is more athletic. Our offensive line went from being predicted as a top 3 line to being ranked bottom 5 in most metrics. Not only can they not open up the run game, they are now seemingly unable to pass protect, which used to be their bread and butter. If you can’t fix the offensive line, you won’t be able to fix the offense
October 3rd, 2026 at 2:02 pm
My dream scenario is that the rookie QB plays lights out and Mayfield is Wally-Pipped and sent packing. Keep the new HC away from this guy.
Initially, the Mayfield signing was a huge bargain, but now that he has a new contract, (dumb) he’s nothing more than a liability. I used to LOVE his “moxie”, but now it’s obvious that his playing style ensures that he’ll always be banged up.
If he had proven that he can produce while hurt, I’d be singing a different tune, but when you can’t even hit the open guy while being fully healthy, that’s a killer.
I became a Bucs fan when Tony Dungy was hired, and I have never worn any other colors, but right now I hate the only team that I have ever cheered for. I’m not going anywhere; I’m here ’till the end, but I’m tired of once again having to endure Jaboo-era embarrassments.
Bruce Arians showed us what good coaching can do, and he’s also shown us what bad coaching can do, by forcing the current HC upon us.
October 3rd, 2026 at 2:02 pm
Stay on the bench Baker. No need for you to play hurt and have an excuse for playing like garbage. This season is done and so is Coach Defensive Specialist, get healthy and then get back on the field.
October 3rd, 2026 at 2:04 pm
I doubt they put an old vet in there after the packers game “because he knows the system”. We seen them in preseason so I guess they really don’t care for a vet QB that knows the system. We need playmakers at the position, if JD can do that then leave him in there. We got our butts completely destroyed but at least the QB was a vet and knew the system, how cliche, so ridiculous!! Hahahahahhahaa
October 3rd, 2026 at 2:19 pm
Even at 0-4, they’re only 1 or 2 games out of first. They need time for the rookies to blossom and Zac to get his offense streamlined. It’s all good.
October 3rd, 2026 at 2:20 pm
When did it become necessary, to have stitches for a dislocation, they are hiding something else??? Trade Him now!!!!
October 3rd, 2026 at 2:45 pm
Let’s play one game at a time and see what s what after the Packers., then what’s what after Pittsburgh. Then we can go from there. Leaving all options open.
October 3rd, 2026 at 2:53 pm
@Heavye:
Exactly. I’ve had a few dislocations (2) and they didn’t require stitches. Maybe BM scratched his hand on a helmet? Me confused.
Additionally, I’ve played with stitches. Sure, they hurt, but unless they rip open, you just keep playing.
Weird.
October 3rd, 2026 at 3:55 pm
@D-Rok:
Really Weird.
October 3rd, 2026 at 4:28 pm
You guys that keep mentioning McDermitt ,, he’s a good guy and a good culture guy,,, not a Super Bowl winning coach ,, he may not make as many bonehead decisions as Todd but he absolutely has Todd’s try not to lose mentality .. My Guess is the new coach is across the sideline from us tomorrow (LaFluer) ,, that’s why we need a win ,, MLF needs to get fired first ,, He is not the cause of GBs woes
October 3rd, 2026 at 5:35 pm
Regarding winning football games, who give an s?
He’s awful at the current moment in time. And I don’t just blame him. But it makes zero difference.
The glazers will surely want to get the most out of their investment so it looks like the perfect alignment: top 5 pick and and a new offensive HC.
Don’t ruin it
October 3rd, 2026 at 6:20 pm
How has a healthy Baker done so far?
October 3rd, 2026 at 6:29 pm
My Gators are getting annihilated!
October 3rd, 2026 at 6:38 pm
stitches……stitches….stitches…!
(think jim mora yelling at the podium)
he will be no where near ready in a few weeks…
that hand and thumb has been blown up for min of 6-8 weeks no matter what anyone says…
the grip and thumb won’t be right for the entire year, if not more…
(just ask baker’s sausage)
if he can’t grip his d*ck, how does he grip a foozball
sorry to say, that thumb potentially might not work the same ever again…
signed, tom thumb
October 3rd, 2026 at 7:23 pm
He’s got a decent amount of guaranteed money coming from that contract and yet he wants to play as soon as possible. To him , he wants to play no matter the circumstances, no matter the opponent, because he wants to help his team if he can. I wonder how many of you hypocrites would be willing to do the same under these circumstances? Most would go crawl under a rock where you belong. You don’t deserve him as your quarterback. I hope he decides to put himself first this time and sits it out until he is 100%. Let Daniels carry the load.