10 Things Baker Mayfield Said About His Injured Thumb And Playing With A Glove
October 24th, 2026
Based on Baker Mayfield’s comments this week, his previously dislocated thumb (against Minnesota in Week 3) is not 100 percent.
The Joe typing here thinks Mayfield returning to start Sunday is borderline ridiculous.
What exactly are the Bucs trying to prove? One prime excuse for last year’s collapse was banged up or injured players, including Mayfield. Yeah, so go ahead and toss Mayfield back into the fire when he’s not really ready. That sounds brilliant.
Consider how Mayfield talked about his ailing throwing thumb this week:
“Just improving”
“It’s been a process for me”
“Just doing the rehab process, doing as much as possible each and very day”
“Trying to recover as quick as possible”
“Take it one day at a time. So it’s been feeling better slowly better and better. That’s the frustrating part. It just takes time for an injury like that.”
“We’ve gotten it to a place where it’s strong enough to be able to play.”
Is Mayfield at 60 percent, 75?
Here are two things Mayfield said about the realities of throwing with a glove. Both make Joe want to punch a wall.
“Changing release points”
“Can’t grip [the ball] as hard because it will stick to the glove”
For the optimists out there, Joe acknowledges Mayfield said his thumb “feels good.” He added he’s “very confident.”
Mayfield sounds like a guy who needs another week of rehab and rest. But this is how desperate teams roll in October.
October 24th, 2026 at 5:03 pm
Well at least Baker can eye an oncoming blitz and make allowances for it
October 24th, 2026 at 5:08 pm
If I was the GM, I ‘d want Baker to sit. If I was the HC, attempting to save my job, I’d want Baker out there.
Baker would want to be out there if he had a broken leg.
October 24th, 2026 at 5:09 pm
Hey comes more excuses, on why he loses tomorrow!!
October 24th, 2026 at 5:24 pm
Not borderline Joe… it is ridiculous.
October 24th, 2026 at 5:27 pm
Blah blah the Bake hate commences….have at it trolls!
October 24th, 2026 at 5:30 pm
he’ll be well rested and ready to run for his life
October 24th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
Bowles is a symptom of a larger issue and that larger issue is the Glazers. Everything wrong points to bad ownership. The Glazers have given JL orders to limit spending anyway he can. I only think the Glazers allowed the BM and Vea contracts because of bad press. Player surveys of this club have been poor historically. They didn’t force Bowles to hire a DC because he has saved them millions at this point by not paying for a DC. Even his contract is weak for a HC. They have no issue with the away team’s fans buying up tickets. The Glazers are slum lords as far as I am concerned.
October 24th, 2026 at 5:32 pm
Joe … ‘The Joe typing here thinks Mayfield returning to start Sunday is borderline ridiculous.’
I second that Joe, but IMO it’s way beyond ‘borderline ridiculous’. It’s DUMB, DUMB, DUMB. We’re 1-5 and Mayfield has been the losing QB in 3-of-those-5 losses. And that’s when he was operating at 100%. So now we plug him back in at what, 60%, 70%, maybe even 90%? And he’s gonna lead us to victory?
Daniels has definitely looked like a rookie, BUT … in the1 game he won, the Bucs’ defense ‘rose to the occasion’ and held the Cowboys high-flying offense to only 16 pts. It also helped the offense by forcing THREE turnovers.
Also, Zac used a game plan that actually stressed an ADVANTAGE that we had over the Cowboys: our Run Game. We ran the ball 39 times in that game for 241 yards and 2 TDs. We converted 7-of-13 3rd downs. Daniels passes were limited primarily to short ones that he hit on (he completed 17-of 22 short and 2-of-3 deep). IOW, we played to our strengths in that game … and won. Amazing.
Bucs COULD do something similar to the Panthers tomorrow. Their defense is ranked #21 overall (about same as us), but their Run Defense is shaky. It’s ranked #27 in Rushing Yards Allowed, and #31 in Rushing TDs Allowed. They’re giving up an average of 5.1 YPC per rush. Hit ’em where they’re vulnerable.
o Panthers lost to the Bears 59-37 in Game 1. The Bears ran it 39 times for 291 yds (7.5 YPC) with SIX TDs rushing, against 29 passes (completed 21 of those for 269 yds & 2 TDs).
o Panthers lost to the Browns 21-18 in Game 3. The Browns used a relatively balanced attack (30 runs for 132 yds & 0 TDs, plus 31 passes with 17 completed for 144 yds & 2 TDs).
If I were Zac, I’d be testing the waters in the Run Game very early to see if the Panthers’ run defense could handle us. And that includes running either Mayfield or Daniels (depending who really starts).
October 24th, 2026 at 5:32 pm
No excuses ,, he basically has to play,,, if they lose tomorrow they can put him on the shelf till next year ,, the entire coaching staffs job is on the line tomorrow so 60%, 70% 80% will have to work and hope for the best ,, if they lose Bowles is done,, if they win the same thing is at stake next week. Your margin for error is down to 2 or 3 losses and one of those can’t be a division loss to Panthers . Baker will play no matter how he feels ,,, maybe Luke’s sore calf will be better next week too 😉
October 24th, 2026 at 5:36 pm
And the hits just keep on coming!!!
Tomorrow could be a route by the stinking Panthers.
At least we know the backup QB has played a few games and actually won a game.
Baker is going to do Baker things. And most likely that means another loss.
Bowles will have fresh excuses after the game about getting better.
October 24th, 2026 at 5:38 pm
And I agree with DR the focus should be on the running game ,, maybe let Gainwell play a little , if I recall he was then Steelers MVP last year and looked like he was itching to run and catch last week
October 24th, 2026 at 5:41 pm
I agree it’s “borderline ridiculous” but Baker and Bowles want it to happen. Bowles is hoping for a miracle and needs something to change with a possible win or to blame (baker wasn’t ready so it’s not Bowles’ fault). I was at a function today wearing my Bucs hat and 4 fans commented one thing: Fire Bowles. Three out of 4 said we shouldn’t have resigned baker till the end of the season. Baker will have a job with his contract and should rest and come back at 90-100%. Bowles is the one who will not be a Buc next year. Then again it is “borderline ridiculous.”
October 24th, 2026 at 5:57 pm
The Glazers are business people who have clearly demonstrated a willingness to spend money (Wirfs, Winfield, Godwin, Evans, Baker, for Christ’s sake!)
They don’t meddle and expect the people they hire to do their jobs. This train wreck lies squarely on Licht and his poor decision to retain Bowlezo. Time for them to make another business decision and replace a staff that has lost the confidence of the fans and, yes, the players (no matter what they say publicly.)
I’m hoping they make the right hires and clean house.
October 24th, 2026 at 6:02 pm
We all know how this is going to go. Baker is tough but hes trash when he’s playing hurt. saw it his last year in Cleveland and we saw it the end of last year.
Let the rookie go and put the final nail in the 26 season already. The sooner this shart franchise loses the quicker it can hire a new hc who offensive coordinator to give baker some stability for once in his careeer
October 24th, 2026 at 6:04 pm
The eye test says Jalon Daniels > Baker Mayfield.
If our WR’s could catch well-thrown balls, we would have destroyed Pittsburgh last week.
October 24th, 2026 at 6:04 pm
Rather you have a rookie or baker let’s not sugar coat the problem we have a garbage OC a garbage HC a garbage GM baker is who he is and that’s why every team he’s played for got rid of him im sure with the right coaches and players around him he could do better but he’s always going to fumble and throw interceptions and can’t win in the playoffs and playing hurt is just hurting his team year after year he’s no TB12 and should have never been signed a elite contract but here we are everyone so Go Bucs 2027!
October 24th, 2026 at 6:05 pm
The issue is that Daniela had the win in hand with Stellar defense and special teams play but threw the game away with two bad picks. Maybe we need Baker to not throw the ball and let the defense and special teams win it. Daniels clearly panicked and melted down. That was the case at Kansas and why nobody drafted Jalen. A 70% Baker is better than any kind of Daniels.
October 24th, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Bloopers on the way.
October 24th, 2026 at 6:07 pm
Joe, as an aside, just read an article titled ‘Mike Evans just twisted the knife on the Buccaneers while explaining his exit from Tampa Bay’ written by Josh Crysler dated 18 Oct 2026.
I wouldn’t say that Mike ‘twisted the knife’, but it is the most detailed explanation I’ve read of why Mike left Tampa Bay for San Fran. Everything he said is classy and makes perfect sense.
October 24th, 2026 at 6:11 pm
Who are the head coaching prospects we should start researching?
October 24th, 2026 at 6:13 pm
Baker Bois will use this as an excuse. Why are we doing this at 1-5? This team stinks! Ownership stinks! The coach stinks! The GM ain’t anything special. Without Brady, he would have been fired.
October 24th, 2026 at 6:20 pm
This is one of the stupidest team decisions I can remember in any sport. The Bucs aren’t one game away from making the playoffs, and this isn’t the Super Bowl. It’s just a regular game for a struggling team. There is no excuse for putting Baker in the game with an injured thumb on his throwing hand. This isn’t about being “tough”, and it’s not something you can play through. If your thumb doesn’t work properly, you can’t use your hand effectively, no matter what kind of badass you are.
October 24th, 2026 at 6:25 pm
The kid most certainly lost the Steeler game but he had help from Robinson not calling plays to protect the lead. A good coach would have helped Daniels protect that lead using his legs and with rushes instead of passes. We will need Baker to be pretty decent tomorrow to win,, JD is not there yet , maybe one day but not tomorrow .
October 24th, 2026 at 6:25 pm
This is big boy football. Season, and futures are on the line. If Baker can go, he goes. That’s the way it is when you sign for big money, and everything is on the line. A loss Sunday seasons officially over. Baker can rest than.
October 24th, 2026 at 6:27 pm
Man please just draft a quarterback to sit behind Baker for a year or 2 if he plays and play bad it will be because of his thumb excuse. Just draft the quarterback of the future and build the team around him. This is getting old now he was bad the second half of the season and people made up a injury to give him a pass even though no one can name you one game he limped off the field or was holding his leg or arm on the side line. And now here comes another injury excuse for his bad play . Just draft a quarterback for the future this coming up draft and call it a day. The real bucs fans are tired of the excuses Baker gets and the losing our defense is ranked top 10 and we are 0-3 with Baker as the quarterback.
October 24th, 2026 at 6:31 pm
“Changing release points”
As if it’ll matter.
“Can’t grip [the ball] as hard because it will stick to the glove”
Yea, but when you’re dancing in the pocket being indecisive it’ll be harder to put the ball on the ground.
“Man please just draft a quarterback to sit behind Baker for a year or 2 if he plays and play bad it will be because of his thumb excuse.“
Austin Simmons! We haven’t had a lefty since Chris Sims
October 24th, 2026 at 6:36 pm
Joe , I don’t know if your not allowed to say it so I will say it for you . This team has BEEN ridiculous. In many ways . For a while now . Do any of you really feel like this team has been heading in the right direction ? Toilet todd is BAD . Flat out bad . Can we get a young , bright offensive minded coach in here ? Coming in with a NEW GM who can fill up the cupboards with players that don’t get to play out of position . We have a coach now that the only person he out coaches is himself . A meathead GM that I feel has out stayed his welcome due to the fact that under his watch the team has progressively gotten worse with no sense of how to turn it around . A paid QB that is a turn over machine ” just as bad as famous jay-miss ” ..they have positioned themselves to be S.T.U.C.K !!!!!!!
October 24th, 2026 at 6:38 pm
Oneilbuc: Why not blame Jim Brown if the Bucs lose tomorrow? His only “excuse” is that he’s dead.
October 24th, 2026 at 6:38 pm
hee hee – step 1) Baker reinjures thumb – step 2) Baker misses significant time –
step 3) Bucs have worst record since 2014 – step 4) Licht &!Bowles blame “injuries” for poor performance – step 5) Glazers extend Bowles & Licht with bonuses
Easy peasy !!!!!
October 24th, 2026 at 6:42 pm
This is a terrible decision by Baker and the Bucs.
He is jeopardizing his career for a 1-5 team.
We are in last place.
And Goedeke is out at RT.
This is a very bad decision.
He could easily reinjure his thumb.
October 24th, 2026 at 6:45 pm
This isn’t Baker’s decision. And if it somehow is, then +that+ isn’t his decision. Players don’t put themselves in and out of games.
October 24th, 2026 at 6:54 pm
Just lose baby. And keep losing.
Apparently last year wasn’t bad enough to get Bowles canned, so we gotta keep stacking Ls, so the idiot owners have no choice.
October 24th, 2026 at 7:02 pm
Just visit. The bucs will never win nothing with Baker at quarterback just like all the other teams he’s played for . I know some of yall are Oklahoma and Browns fans and all you care about is Baker. But he’s a backup quarterback and the bucs was the only team to give him a starter job no other team wanted Baker as a starter but the bucs and that’s a fact.
October 24th, 2026 at 7:12 pm
Another stupid decision. Can not win in the NFL with stupid people calling the shots. Looks like the Glazers want no fans.
October 24th, 2026 at 7:16 pm
Bowles is allowing him to play. Pure Genius.
October 24th, 2026 at 7:21 pm
Off topic….how bout those gamecocks! QB Sellers will sneak in somewhere….where i dont know, 2nd, 3rd maybe
if we get that top 5 and trade down, we can do some damage with this draft and grab him….let him sit behind Bake!
October 24th, 2026 at 7:31 pm
Either Joe knows his a$$ from a hole in the ground, or he doesn’t. I vote that he doesn’t. In fact, when we start winning (tomorrow) and beat the hell out of Atlanta next week, the trolls who know enough about the game of football to not appreciate what Baker brings to this franchise, will be grasping for straws. And 6 weeks from now, when we’re in first place in this division and playing championship caliber football, the talk will turn to Baker’s odds of winning the MVP. And by the day this season is over, the Bucs are going to look like the toughest team in the NFC entering the playoffs.
All I’m saying is, everyone here that doesn’t agree with me can kiss my a$$. Sit back and enjoy the show, boys and girls. And all you trolls can get some practice in- on puckering up!
October 24th, 2026 at 7:34 pm
QB is playing hurt. WR, OL, S are out. All signs point to a loss.
Bucs will win.
October 24th, 2026 at 7:47 pm
Here comes 1-6……
October 24th, 2026 at 7:52 pm
As much as I agree that Mayfield should rest His thumb for another week or so, this is a division game against the division leader and the Bucs can’t afford a single divisional loss. Another words, they’re desperate.
October 24th, 2026 at 8:01 pm
Just like last year the Head Coach is afraid to bench him. SMH
October 24th, 2026 at 8:01 pm
Kenton, I want some of your schrooms. They gotta be fantastic!
October 24th, 2026 at 8:03 pm
Fantasy vs Reality
Wake up people!!!!!!
October 24th, 2026 at 8:17 pm
Agreed
October 24th, 2026 at 8:21 pm
Baker trying to prove his 165 million price tag worth.
He’s not exactly known for pinpoint accuracy without a glove.
This won’t end well…Desperation Nation.
VV waiting for his trade…or not. Pouting made him an extra 30 million.
October 24th, 2026 at 8:23 pm
If your job was on the line and you had to make a decision,, you need a win or your out of a job!! A struggling/maybe hurt Baker who hasn’t played well but has beat Carolina before who has gotten hot as early as last year (SF, Seattle , Houston) or JD who is a good prospect that has won a game but also has 4 INTs in 3 games ,,, if it’s win or go home your 100% going with Baker , he may win or he may blow up but lets go get a win tomorrow
October 24th, 2026 at 8:33 pm
Baker is seriously hurt, but the guy has a dog in him that will not quit. I admire that , especially when this team has guys that will sit out if they just tweak a muscle. The problem is that Carolina is going to try to injure his hand even more and our OC is too dumb to design plays that will help Baker get rid of the ball faster.
October 24th, 2026 at 8:37 pm
“He’s not exactly known for pinpoint accuracy without a glove.“
That would be the most hilarious thing ever, is if Baker has his best game dressed kitted out like Michael Jackson. Just win bae-hee-hee-by
October 24th, 2026 at 8:37 pm
Todd is reading the room and doesn’t like what he’s seeing.
October 24th, 2026 at 8:44 pm
He’ll need the glove to stick to the ball to prevent fumbles, there will be plenty of scrambles!
October 24th, 2026 at 9:06 pm
Oneilbuc,
Ah. The master of the double negative. “ Baker will never win nothing.” Literally, Oneilbuc genius this means Baker will win something.
Again, if you are going to make stupid statements about Baker, then I will make sure everyone considers the source of the criticism. Take an English course before you post on this site. Again, to “ not win nothing” means to win something. The result of a double negative is a positive. I can explain it to you but unfortunately, I can’t comprehend it for you.
October 24th, 2026 at 9:07 pm
Kenton. We all know you are a OU fan so if Baker play good and the bucs lose you will be ok with that because you are a Baker fan boy 👦. Lol 😆 😉
October 24th, 2026 at 9:08 pm
MadMax. I agree with that idea 100 percent 👍!!
October 24th, 2026 at 9:39 pm
Kenton Smith = Todd Bowles in disguise
October 24th, 2026 at 9:42 pm
Oneilbuc: I’m absolutely a Baker fan, because I like his guts and his passion for the game. I don’t gove a hoot about Oklahoma or the Browns. And, fan or not, I’ve got no problem with anyone calling him out when he plays poorly. Or benching or trading him if there’s a better option available; this is the NFL, not college intramural. But you have to be dumb like a rock to think an injured thumb on a QB’s throwing hand is an “excuse”.
October 24th, 2026 at 9:59 pm
This team keeps doing the dumbest stuff
October 24th, 2026 at 10:06 pm
This team is so frustrating since last season and now this one too. Just end the pain, get a new hc, get ready to draft in the top 5 of 2027 draft. 1-5,m. It’s pointless to try to save this season. Bucs players should have been preparing like there jobs were on the line in the offseason. All these walk thru practices last few seasons and not preparing hard enough and not holding each other accountable. It’s all finally led to this mess of a team and a lost season. All these players are making how much money and look at the standings. What has a 50 million dollar QB gotten the Bucs, cause it sure isn’t Super Bowls. Tommorrow is a loss again abd the game hasn’t even begun.
October 24th, 2026 at 10:07 pm
2 picks and a fumble
October 24th, 2026 at 10:08 pm
Gipper. You can’t comprehend because you are blinded by Baker jock strap wrapped around your face. Again Baker got exposed in the Patriots game last year and that’s why he’s 2-10 the last 12 games. Blitz up the middle take away his first read and the d line put they’re hands up because he can’t see over the line. Again the bucs ain’t going to the superbowl as long as Baker is the starting quarterback rather you like it or not!!! Lol 😆 😆
October 24th, 2026 at 10:32 pm
One inadvertent bump off a helmet and forget it.
October 24th, 2026 at 10:39 pm
@Alvin, yep me too….i dont do drugs but i like shrooms on my salad if they are around and i have a day off lol.
October 24th, 2026 at 10:42 pm
King of Citrus Park…..thanks for the laugh! Funny but true. Go Bucs!! Whip the little kittens!!
October 24th, 2026 at 10:50 pm
This is a desperation move but they were forced into it because Daniels proved he cant handle the pressure of a lead going into the fourth quarter. The kid Nobody would draft proved why all 32 teams passed on him. Robinson is fine. Daniels melted down . Baker is the better option.
October 25th, 2026 at 12:04 am
55 million reasons why Baker is starting tomorrow.
October 25th, 2026 at 2:08 am
baker feels good and confident because of the 165 mil lotto he just hit on…
as for the hand it’s a different story…he is on that “tom thumb” sh!t…
whalen jalon should be getting an extra week in, while baker attempts to rock at home next week vs. atlanta…
i hear the doctors specifically told bake to stop thumb wrestling in the locker room with penix…………lol
October 25th, 2026 at 2:47 am
Todd Bowles will have the answers as he has shown every year. He even beat Mahomes in the Super Bowl.
October 25th, 2026 at 3:42 am
kenton:
from your mouth to God’s ears, ya sick puppy…
the only ball that’s gonna bounce your way is the set that’s gonna bounce off your chin my guy…!
but you do display the devoted loyalty of a delusional fan…
i do hope you are right tho