Report: Baker Mayfield Must Prove He Can Play
October 21st, 2026
Ready?
It’s a prove-it week for Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield.
That’s the word from Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Garafolo explained this morning on “Good Morning Football” the Bucs began Stinking Panthers week with the thought it would probably be Jalon Daniels starting again at quarterback. The Bucs will head to Charlotte on Saturday to face their division foes on Sunday.
That’s because Mayfield is still battling back from a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand suffered against the Browns in Week 2.
Per Garafolo, the Bucs don’t know if Mayfield can grip the ball and throw it consistently well enough. That can all change if Mayfield has a few good practices this week.
Mayfield “is attempting to practice,” Garafolo said. “Because he’s got to show the Bucs that he can throw the football.
“And as they came into the week, [the Bucs] weren’t sure where he’d be. So the next couple of days, as he returns to practice here and tries to show them that he can grip the football — and it’s about that.
“It’s about functionality, not about pain tolerance. If it was about pain tolerance, Baker Mayfield probably would be back a couple of weeks ago. … You know how tough he is.”
Garafolo said as recently as Monday, the Bucs were “expecting” Daniels to start.
There must be a glimmer of hope with the Bucs that Mayfield could start Sunday given the Bucs’ reactions this week.
For example, the Bucs, by tradition, have the starting quarterback make his league-mandated weekly press conference on Wednesdays. Well, yesterday, the local pen and mic club got a text from Bucs media relations that the quarterback press conference would be pushed back to Thursday.
The thought process was after Wednesday’s practice, the team might have a better idea who will start on Sunday.
So it appears no one outside One Buc Palace knows for sure who will start at quarterback Sunday.
From @GMFB with @MikeGarafolo: A look at some of the key injury situations, focusing on Terry McLaurin, Baker Mayfield, and Lamar Jackson. pic.twitter.com/CvTfFfgSrY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 21, 2026
October 21st, 2026 at 10:46 am
Let’s be real, he hasn’t proven he can play since the 49ers game last year…
It’s why you question leadership and the owners for bringing back a headcoach/qb combo that finished the prior season 2-7…
October 21st, 2026 at 10:46 am
Why rush? Seasons over! Let him heal one more game!
October 21st, 2026 at 10:48 am
Let BM play!
He gives us the best chance to land J. Smith in April…
October 21st, 2026 at 10:49 am
Nobody knows? Nobody knows! Does it really matter? See you in 2027. It’s a 3-28 Bucs life.
October 21st, 2026 at 10:51 am
Daniels will start Sunday – bet on it
October 21st, 2026 at 10:55 am
He already had problems carrying the ball as it was so if he’s not 100% he should not be on the field
October 21st, 2026 at 10:57 am
Nothing is going to change, he’s getting this offense back in the same state he left it. Struggling, plodding, reductive and unable to string together consecutive or multiple TD drives.
Some of his fanatics felt vindicated by Daniels struggling and I’m sure they’ll blither on about how the offense will “get back on track” if Baker is cleared to play which is as predictable as our offense has been.
October 21st, 2026 at 10:57 am
Even if he starts with the way he plays – what are the odds he finishes?
At least I’ll get to watch the game on Beer Can Island 🙂
October 21st, 2026 at 11:10 am
People value the wrong measurements. It’s the intangibles, the grit, the moxy, that matter. Don’t be so consumed by completions, touchdowns, or wins. Just enjoy the process. The Bucs have the best coach and a great process, where everything makes sense.
October 21st, 2026 at 11:14 am
With, or without Baker Bucs are going to get handled this Sunday. It’s for the best.
October 21st, 2026 at 11:34 am
Top draft picks and a regime change is the best we can hope for now. There is no way we get into the playoffs and make a run – so why chase a 500 record just to repeat this awfulness next year. No thank you.
October 21st, 2026 at 12:05 pm
Nobody should be complaining about even trying to win or make the playoffs. Everything is going just fine. Bowles should be on schedule to coach his final season here. That’s what about 99% of people here have been waiting for which can’t come soon enough.
October 21st, 2026 at 12:05 pm
baker will rush back and will hold a 27-28 record as BUCS QB after sundays L
GO BUCS!!!!!
October 21st, 2026 at 12:39 pm
Hide him, so ppl can’t see how he’s over paid. He’s more valuable trade bait on the bench. Why bother watching more excuse riddled performances by DeShaun Mayfield, cap killer
October 21st, 2026 at 12:51 pm
Yeah, Baker hasn’t been playing well in like 12 games. Hell, he played better when he was hurt last year. Maybe he needs the pain to block out his natural instincts…
October 21st, 2026 at 12:57 pm
He can’t play even if he had five thumbs.
October 21st, 2026 at 1:00 pm
We paid the clown now we have to watch him be a clown for 3 years. He sure can hold a adult beverage, without issue, at the Anchor Bar. Almost daily
October 21st, 2026 at 1:58 pm
So i asked AI to compare the two QBs statistically. They were remarkably similar. Baker had the edge in one less turnover and more pass yards. AI gave a slight edge to Baker. It was also quite obvious to all that special teams and defense played much better in the Jalen games. We can still trade Baker after one year and wiggle out of the contract after 2. Daniels can learn on the bench and in practice. It is more important to see what we paid for in Baker and show case him for a trade then let the kid get psychologically damaged with more fourth quarter melt downs we just saw. As for over paid Dak and Justin Herbert are in the lead.
October 21st, 2026 at 1:59 pm
this is all part of the Glazer plan – Mayfield is not a bug but a feature – the idea is to stay just good enough to retain the power structure but not bad enough for an expensive rebuild – meanwhile get as much league and public money as possible – the value of a NFL franchise will only go up – always – so 8-9 , 9-8 , and even worse records are A-ok with the Glazers – the Bucs are MEANT to be the Washington Generals
October 21st, 2026 at 2:18 pm
Honestly, he doesn’t have to prove a damn thing! He’s already been PAID. He has nooooo worries whatsoever.