Please Welcome Back Baker Mayfield
October 18th, 2026
He’ll be back.
Does anyone really believe Bucs quarterback Jalon Daniels will start for the Bucs next Sunday at Carolina?
Joe likes Daniels, but really, there is a reason he was not drafted. Helluva story. Good guy. Shows promise. But he’s not a franchise quarterback. Yet.
Daniels showed signs he could be that guy — against a truly wretched defense in Dallas. Even Playoff Lenny was jumping on the bandwagon.
Joe fully expects Baker Mayfield to play next Sunday. Even if he is 30 percent. Even if he can’t throw the ball right. There’s just too much riding on it.
While it is highly unlikely the Bucs can win the division, there is still a chance. Minuscule, but a chance.
More likely, KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles is coaching for his career. If he can somehow turn this team around — the defense is playing solid ball — Bowles can always tell Team Glazer, “Hey guys, I figured it out. See how we won in the second half of the season?”
Joe doesn’t think that is possible. The only way Joe can see the Bucs going on any winning streak is with Mayfield barking signals.
Bowles isn’t going to risk his career banking on an undrafted free agent, not after what we all saw in the second half against the Steelers.
In the immortal words of former Bucs offensive coordinator Todd Monken, “We’re trying to save jobs.”
October 18th, 2026 at 5:52 pm
Does it matter? This team is coached by idiots.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:52 pm
He’s our guy. Get behind him. It gets worse. Retool. Some good players would come to play with him.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:53 pm
There’s a snow ball at Clearwater Beach’s chance the Bucs win next week Baker No Baker as long as this staff is running this team.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:54 pm
Not Daniels fault. The players are OK the coaching is the problem. Start Daniels let him call the shots and leave Bowles in the Bay.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:55 pm
FIRE
FIRE
FIRE
FIRE
FIRE
FIRE
SOMEBODY NOW!!!!!!!!!! I need blood after that!!!!!!!
October 18th, 2026 at 5:55 pm
Its already his fault…..uhg, some people
October 18th, 2026 at 5:56 pm
Well Joe it’s pretty obvious right now I think. If Baker is healthy and I mean he can throw the ball with the same velocity he could before his injury without any pain. And I’m sure that decision will be made by medical staff. Then heck yes Baker Mayfield will start against Carolina. But if Baker is still not healthy….. the Bucs have to go back to JD.
Go Bucs !!
October 18th, 2026 at 5:56 pm
Go support your family some other way
October 18th, 2026 at 5:57 pm
I love how everybody’s blaming daniels when truly it’s the play calling COACHING
October 18th, 2026 at 5:59 pm
Daniels and Chase got us to OT and he did not Belly flop in OT…..Bowles Did with another famous judgement Blunder.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:59 pm
Jalon did very well, keep playing him….let Bake heal, season was already over anyway….but that was a hard fought game. Im proud of my guys even though we lost!!
October 18th, 2026 at 5:59 pm
What’s with the so-called ‘controversy’ over Mayfield and Jalon Daniels? season.
October 18th, 2026 at 6:00 pm
This team is coached poorly
October 18th, 2026 at 6:01 pm
Dang, you guys that are saying Jalen played well, did you even watch the damn game?
October 18th, 2026 at 6:01 pm
Daniels should start if Mayfield isn’t ready. All the losses this year are to good teams with winning records and by close scores. Something needs to change, but the foundation of a winning team is there. The OC and play calling this season and last have been awful. I know Baker has not looked great in this offense, but he’s also the reason games have been close.
October 18th, 2026 at 6:01 pm
No doubt Baker is the better quarterback. But he’s just gonna win more games than we should otherwise be able to win with our undrafted quarterback. This season is over. The next draft will be or at least could be a bonanza for the team with a High draft pick that doesn’t need a quarterback and just keeps trading back and picking up some amazing draft picks. The only chance this franchise has going forward is getting rid of our coach our general manager and our stellar offensive coordinator.
October 18th, 2026 at 6:03 pm
@roddy, for an undrafted rookie, yep, including the last game…..what did you expect dude?
October 18th, 2026 at 6:04 pm
Your ownership sucks!
October 18th, 2026 at 6:06 pm
@MadMax, raise your expectations. Accepting mediocrity it what is wrong with this organization.
October 18th, 2026 at 6:06 pm
“Bowles isn’t going to risk his career banking on an undrafted free agent, not after what we all saw in the second half against the Steelers.”
His career is already over. After the Bucs fire him, no team will ever hire him as an NFL HC OR DC.
October 18th, 2026 at 6:09 pm
I’m not saying start Daniels if Mayfield is healthy, but what is Mayfield’s record so far this year? Has he won a game? (rhetorical question) for those that know what that means.
October 18th, 2026 at 6:09 pm
Is it possible that Jalon hasn’t been coached up to handle the Steeler’s defense? Or maybe the Bucs offensive and defensive adjustments at halftime what caused the loss? Seems like the coaches did nothing to adjust and lost focus on winning.
October 18th, 2026 at 6:12 pm
Baker was playing AWESOME when he was 100%. Remember?
October 18th, 2026 at 6:12 pm
Glad Baker is coming back next Sunday
October 18th, 2026 at 6:12 pm
They were losing with baker doesn’t matter when you have bowels
October 18th, 2026 at 6:14 pm
Does it really matter at this point who starts. Need to know what the Glazers are wanting to do before that matters. If they’re telling Jason to do a fire sale of talent for draft picks then you might as well let Daniels keep going for most of the year and see what you really got. If they think the division is still in play then play Baker. It all comes down to if they’re gonna start the rebuild now or not
October 18th, 2026 at 6:14 pm
If I were Baker, Id say my. thumb is still bad.
Bucs coaches are completely useless. Nice hire Todd.
This is what Zac did in ATL, WTF did you expect to change when you hired him?
But at least Zac fits in with the other inept coaches we have.
October 18th, 2026 at 6:16 pm
Great….. we can watch one turd instead of another. This Franchise sucks and it starts with the Owners. Fire Jason Licht, Bruce Arians, and Todd Toilet Bowles!
October 18th, 2026 at 6:17 pm
Was the roar I heard from Acrisure Stadium – South after the final sack the cheering of Steelers fans or was it Baker’s sigh of relief?
October 18th, 2026 at 6:26 pm
If Baker really is only “30%” it will be a crime to start him. But that is what I would expect from Bowles at this point. (We won’t know the truth until later on.)
Go Bucs!
October 18th, 2026 at 6:27 pm
“…it is highly unlikely the Bucs can win the division, there is still a chance. Minuscule, but a chance.”
– – – – – – – – –
STOP it Joe(s). There is NO chance. The coaches are desperate now, if they weren’t desperate before. When does desperate coaching get better? Remember attacking the victory formation? LMAO just picturing it.
The genius could not hold 16 – 3,
Zac’s offense only scored 3 more points after 16-3
And the genius allowed the Steelers to score 23 more points in slightly over a quarter for a 26-19 final
fu@#ing sad coaching.
October 18th, 2026 at 6:28 pm
JD played well??? What the heck game were you watching ,, 50% completion rate on passes that were all less than 10 yards,, 2 game killing picks ,,,, 4 picks in 3 games,, he may turn into a decent back up but Baker would have scored 30 today and it wouldn’t have been close ,, the real season starts against the Panthers , with our real QB
October 18th, 2026 at 6:32 pm
LMAO, Let Faker the crybaby Mayfield back?? Why???? Let JD finish the season and see how he develops. This season is lost anyway, and Mayfield sure as hell isn’t the future.
October 18th, 2026 at 6:34 pm
I don’t think Mayfield will play next Sunday – Bowles won’t send him out unless he can hold the football – in two weeks he’ll be mostly healed and he’ll have his Stefanski grudge match – CAR is probably a loss so that won’t be appealing – and he’d have to travel which players do not like – I predict that Mayfield will start at home against ATL but not before
October 18th, 2026 at 6:42 pm
I read and heard daily how Daniels is the guy who should be our starting QB. Well, after the Steelers game, I’m more convinced than ever that our Baker Haters are correct: Daniels is our future, our savior. SIGN DANIELS TO A 5 YEAR DEAL because he’s the real thing guys. Sign him immediately…
You Haters are pathetic.
October 18th, 2026 at 6:46 pm
BM:615 yds, TD 2-Tied, INT 2, QBR 38.2
JD: 337yds, TD 2, INT 3, QBR 43.7
Average pay/yr over contract…BM: $55 mil, JD: $1.04 mil
I would sell on Baker comparing those numbers and his inability to take over a game. Similar results for a very different payscale. Oh yeah, JD has a win this yr
October 18th, 2026 at 6:49 pm
But really, there are no teachers/coaches in the room so any one of us could lose just the same for a front row view and medical costs. Licht needs to do his job, take the reigns, and steer this team away from this donkey coaching staff
October 18th, 2026 at 6:51 pm
Start baker so Daniels isn’t a scapegoat and Zac will be further exposed!!!!
Panthers win….Bucs can’t score more than 17-19 points
GO BUCS
October 18th, 2026 at 6:52 pm
Bucs were out-scored 23-3 after having a 16-3 halftime lead. I think you have to look at the coaches for that failure.
October 18th, 2026 at 6:55 pm
Baker is 2-10 in his last 12 games. Baker is 0-3 this season, Daniels is 1-2 this season. So we’re going to be better now?
October 18th, 2026 at 6:56 pm
Where is the Jalen Daniels being the next Joe Montana crowd? Oh it’s not his fault but when Baker plays it’s all his fault. Well Baker didn’t throw the 4th quarter interception today. This fan base cracks me up. Also every one of the Steelers fans in the stands today live here. 40,000 of them didn’t fly to Tampa to watch this game. Give me a break. These same fans will be in Bucs jerseys next week.
October 18th, 2026 at 7:06 pm
Robert. Baker is one of the main reason why we are 1-5 he’s 0-3 lol 😆 😂. The bucs need to be talking about tanking for a quarterback.
October 18th, 2026 at 7:08 pm
Ummm…Daniels is a rookie. Faker is a proven failure. Let Daniel’s finish the season and see what he does. WHat could it hurt? Season is lost anyway.
October 18th, 2026 at 7:21 pm
WHY AM I BEING MODERATED ALL THE TIME?
October 18th, 2026 at 7:22 pm
It does not matter who the QB is. The Defense choked. The WRs dropped passes all day. The OL is pathetic.
Up 13 and lost the game. Why? Well look at what they did on Defense at first and then compare to the spaghetti colander Defense they put up on OT.
Disgusting.
October 18th, 2026 at 7:32 pm
Baker shouldn’t play until he’s 100%. This is the thumb on his throwing hand; there’s just no point. It’s like saying a sprinter should compete with a leg injury.
October 18th, 2026 at 7:32 pm
stop saying this team can still win the division and make the playoffs. its like saying i have a chance to bang sidney sweeney by january.
no god d@mn chance in f#&king he77
October 18th, 2026 at 7:32 pm
Jalon Daniels tried so hard to be like Baker that he starting playing like him in the 2nd half today.
October 18th, 2026 at 7:41 pm
Itzok is correct, stop saying this team can still win the division and make the playoffs, you insult our intelligence, this coaching staff sucks, there are talent issues , and no matter how bad the rest of this division is, we are worse and we suck, so knock it off and face reality, this season is lost, and the only thing left to wonder about is if Licht gets launched with the coaching staff, so be real guys….
October 18th, 2026 at 7:44 pm
Glazers should issue a public appollogy for the product they’ve sold us. Needs to be recalled. Imagine paying for season tickets, and not getting a win at home? I guess it’s true what PT Barnum said.
October 18th, 2026 at 7:46 pm
Baker Mayfield’s stats vs Jalon Daniels. Both played three games, although Baker didn’t get to play the soft Packers defense or the incredibly soft Cowboys defense:
Baker Mayfield:
Passing Yards: 615
Passing TDs: 2
Interceptions: 2
Passer Rating: 80
Rushing Yards per Carry: 5.9
Rushing TDs: 1
Sacks: 13
Jalon Daniels:
Passing Yards: 501
Passing TDs: 3
Interceptions: 5
Passer Rating: 63.4
Rushing Yards per Carry: 6.3
Rushing TDs: 0
Sacks: 9
Unbiased people realize that this isn’t even close. As bad as the first three games were for Baker, the next three were even worse for Daniels – that’s with playing perhaps the worst defense in the NFL (the Bucs’ lone win). The only people wanting Daniels to continue as the starter indefinitely are hoping the Bucs tank the season and pick very high in the draft. Of course, these are the same people who stupidly think the Bucs would draft a QB with that high draft pick.
FYI: Only two teams in the NFL have not played a team with a losing record after week six. The Miami Dolphins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
October 18th, 2026 at 7:54 pm
” stop saying this team can still win the division and make the playoffs, you insult our intelligence”
Hmmm … The Bucs win next week, they are one game out of first place in the division no matter what the other teams in the division do.
The season is barely 25% over. A win next week against another 50/50 team means the math says the division absolutely is still winnable.
Not making a statement about the collective “our” intelligence. Just a few here, though, maybe.
October 18th, 2026 at 7:56 pm
He didnt win a game. It’s a team sport just like you guys ragged voss for a year and bucs are worse with him on bench
October 18th, 2026 at 8:06 pm
Jalon, Jalon he is our man. The posters during the past week told us he was Montana.2………..
October 18th, 2026 at 8:38 pm
Daniels in college couldn’t throw the ball and in the NFL throws the ball worse,,, missed a wide open EE for a TD ,,, threw almost 5 picks ,,, nice kid but what on gods earth would the Vikings D don’t him
October 18th, 2026 at 8:47 pm
Gipper. Baker is still 2-10 and he’s 0-3 right now and look your Browns are winning go back where you came from. And they’re winning without your great quarterback Baker Mayfield lol 😆.
October 18th, 2026 at 8:47 pm
At least he’s a rookie Baker is a 9 year vet lol 😆