Kenny Gainwell Knows How Important Baker Mayfield Is To The Bucs
October 31st, 2026
Talks Baker Mayfield swagger.
In the NFL, aside from rare occasions, if a team loses its starting quarterback, it’s screwed.
And while the Bucs won half their games this season with backup Jalon Daniels guiding the offense, no one in their right minds thinks the team has a better chance at a playoff run without its $165 Million Dollar Man behind center, Baker Mayfield.
Even when Mayfield’s less than 100 percent, he’s wired to play like a linebacker. This has Bucs running back Kenny Gainwell freaked out. Mayfield returned to the field last Sunday after missing three games with a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand.
Still, Gainwell saw Mayfield throwing blocks to help spring running backs. Gainwell, appearing on “The Jim Rome Show,” admitted he wasn’t cool with that.
He added the Bucs need Mayfield upright a lot more than they need him taking on linebackers.
“It’s definitely fun playing with a true gamer, a true guy that loves the sport,” Gainwell said of Mayfield. “And I mean, being out there with him Sunday, I think I just want to protect him.
“You know, like I see him going out there, wants [backs] to get extra yards on runs and stuff like that [and throwing blocks]. [And I’m] just like, ‘OK Bake, come on, just let the back[s] do it.'”
It’s not that Gainwell doesn’t appreciate the extra blocks; it’s just that Gainwell would rather see Mayfield stay on the field healthy.
Rome laughed and asked Gainwell what’s Mayfield’s reaction when the backs tell him to chill. Gainwell suggested Mayfield smiles and shrugs and he understands. He’s just not wired like that.
Joe sometimes thinks Mayfield really believes if he’s not trying to block or run over a linebacker, he’s letting his teammates down.
Mayfield’s personality and drive are what make him so popular in the locker room, Gainwell said, and such an asset.
“I love the swagger, man,” Gainwell said. “It’s crazy. It’s out of this world.”
Now, if somehow Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson can figure out the passing attack and improve it, for Joe, it would be a much better world.
"I love his swagger, man. It's crazy. He's outta this world."@KENNETHGAINWEL on playing with QB Baker Mayfield and his on-field grit. pic.twitter.com/AuY5q5cyMa
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) October 30, 2026
October 31st, 2026 at 10:07 am
Can we,stop harping on Bakers salary? It is not your money. He,was criminally underpaid his first-year so it all averages out. The Glazers are factoring in Jersey sales to his nationwide fan base.
October 31st, 2026 at 10:08 am
Point of correction, the Bucs were 1-2 with Daniels starting, did not win half their games.
October 31st, 2026 at 10:18 am
One of these days Mayfield is gonna get knocked the f out running down field like an idiot with his “blocking”
October 31st, 2026 at 10:19 am
Hey Joes – wondering if Baker called his own goal line QB keeper or if Zac called that. Hurt throwing thumb and his propensity to fumble made me seriously question that play. Could you get us an answer?
Thanks for all that you do, and happy Halloween!🎃
October 31st, 2026 at 10:20 am
It’s a blessing & a curse. You can’t take the shake out of Bake, but a little restraint will go a long way. More importantly, Baker needs to throw the ball better. We need the Baker who played in a zone last year, not the zoned out version we’ve seen since.
October 31st, 2026 at 10:34 am
The half their wins reference was to the Bucs having 2 wins. One with Mayfield, one with Daniels. Mayfield is 1-3.
October 31st, 2026 at 10:35 am
Baker can throw the ball better. He needs an oline that will protect the pocket, WRs that can hold on to the ball, and an OC who is not a total idiot. As it is now guy is struggling against more than just a thumb injury. He needs players on offense to step up and the OC to get his head on straight.
October 31st, 2026 at 10:49 am
Apparently some “fans” don’t like the fact that a guy who was a captain on the Steelers has mad respect for Baker. I agree with the above post that the money doesn’t matter, let it go. He will get healthy and play better
October 31st, 2026 at 10:55 am
“I love the swagger, man,” Gainwell said. “It’s crazy. It’s out of this world.”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Oh Kenny – you left out the magic words us high IQ Buc fans truly desire hearing.
“Moxy and grit”
Come on man!
Why didn’t Kenny mention Baker’s ability to read defenses?
Or Baker’s ability to throw the deep ball?
Or Baker’s ability to play mistake/turnover-free football?
LOL!
Read between the lines people.
Gainwell knows and this brief interview tells me all I needed to know…
October 31st, 2026 at 11:03 am
Mayfield’s swagger is empowering but a hurt quarterback can end players not receiving a bonuses for making the playoffs. He needs to use his head as much as he does his feet.
October 31st, 2026 at 11:12 am
Joe Says:
The trick is, even when Mayfield’s less than 100 percent, he’s wired to play like a linebacker.
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A 3-10 record in his last 13 games describes a linebacker trying to play QB.
October 31st, 2026 at 11:15 am
Gainwell is starting to give fans the warms.
October 31st, 2026 at 11:18 am
Joe Says:
Now, if somehow Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson can figure out the passing attack and improve it, for Joe, it would be a much better world.
——————————————————————————————-Don’t worry Joe. Its coming tomorrow. Tomorrow is the day the passing game starts clicking. Z Rob will realize that the only receiver he can truly rely on right now is Tez and tomorrow, he will have a break out game. Then, later in the game, we will see CG and THurst step up. Otten will even get in the mix a little bit. Bucs 35 – 17.
October 31st, 2026 at 11:26 am
Marine, we all know how you feel about Baker. How do we know? You tell us as often as possible. You are the ultimate glass half empty fan. Obviously this year has not been a good one for him to this point. But do you even consider any of the previous 3 years and his contribution? I understand a what have you done for me lately feeling. And I admit to not following posts too closely, but did you rag on him the same way the previous 3 years? The first year when he was making a pittance? The next two years when he was making average money? I get it, he got paid. And he’s not producing. But like a few said above, it’s not your money man. And given the relative bargain of the previous years, it’s not some crazy salary now even. Trust me, I want him to do better. Much better. And he made pivotal mistakes in the first few games that helped dig this hole, but he’s one of 22. obviously the most important one, but still only one. Lot of other mistakes have led to the slide. We seem to be emerging from that cesspool. Hopefully not too late.
October 31st, 2026 at 11:35 am
ATLBuc: Yeah, Baby! That’s what I’ll be rooting for. Sooner or later Zac will get Hurst involved (this week would be natural time for it to happen), which will be a fireworks breakout for rookie WR.
October 31st, 2026 at 11:53 am
Two to three yrs from now QBs will be making 60-70 million with the next guys up in line, and Baker will seem like a solid player for his price point, he already is when healthy and has a O.C who calls plays deeper than a 4 yd screen…like some one said, chill out its not your money and thats the rate to have a former #1 pick locked up, who 24 months ago with a great scheme was a top 5 QB
October 31st, 2026 at 11:57 am
Baker is Jameis Winston, only with a huge, undeserved contract. It’s going to take 2 more years for the rest of the team to figure this out.
October 31st, 2026 at 12:01 pm
Baker is 1-3. Let’s stop the hero worship. 3-10 in the last 13 games.
The moxy doesn’t make the score any better. Just makes the beer go down easier.
If he leads us back to .500 and beyond we can start a conversation about his performance.
Prove it time has arrived. Pom Pom waiving is for losers.
October 31st, 2026 at 12:06 pm
Good franchise QBs do NOT need to lead block for RBs. They motivate others to do their part. The good franchise QBs do THEIR part, getting into the right play, distributing the football and minimizing negative plays with solid leadership.
You dont see the great QBs lead blocking. Its macho stupidity meant to say “look how tough I am”. 🤦🏿♂️
October 31st, 2026 at 12:47 pm
@Steven007
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C’mon bro! How can you defend Baker? I know that you probably followed him from Oklahoma but we are real BUCS, not Baker, fans. Are we supposed to be satisfied with a 27-27 record. You sound like a Cleveland fan.
October 31st, 2026 at 12:56 pm
McBay … ‘Gainwell is starting to give fans the warms.’
Words mean virtually nothing; it’s all about PERFORMANCE on the field. Kenny’s career average rushing is 4.4 YPC; this season he’s doing a tad better than that at 4.5 YPC. I like that.
His career catch percentage is 77.9%, but this season he’s down at 70.6%. Boo, that’s not nearly good enough. Bucky’s doing a little better (78.3%), but not nearly as good as he did last year (85.7%) or in 2024 (90.4%). And poor Tucker hasn’t even been thrown to yet.
The Bucs’ Passing Game is way down in just about every stat this season. If it doesn’t improve, I’m guessing that we’ll be lucky to win 5-7 games. Three areas need some dramatic improvement IMO:
1 – Our OC
2 – Our QBs
3 – Our OLine
No excuses, they’re all very well paid, but none are performing as well as expected.
October 31st, 2026 at 1:09 pm
I liked his 88 yards very much.
October 31st, 2026 at 3:12 pm
Block all the negative waves. Only positive alloed No negative non fanatic allowed.
October 31st, 2026 at 4:13 pm
Big prove it game for Baker, O-line and Z-Rob.
Need to feed Bucky but give Kenny and Sean significant touches.
Could be a Tez or Ted breakout game.
I’m not just looking for a win – I’m looking for a statement win.
Defense continues it’s excellent play and we begin to unlock the pass game while continuing to run the ball efficiently. Let’s go Bucs!
October 31st, 2026 at 4:30 pm
We will go where our offensive line and defense takes us. They play well, we will win.
October 31st, 2026 at 4:34 pm
ATL, exactly what in my post made you come to that conclusion? He’s our quarterback, simple as that. I want him to do well. He hasn’t done well enough lately. I was speaking to the way certain haters can do nothing but hate. I don’t understand it. Like I said, glass half empty. All the time. No matter what. For the leader of a team you supposedly love. So as I said, I don’t get it. I never thought anything about Baker before he got here. Wasn’t my guy. Now he is. Again, simple as that.
October 31st, 2026 at 4:41 pm
Bucky having an all- pro season..Nice!
Gotta get Kenny some touches for sure!
Mayfield going back to making the plays we’ve seen!
” Enjoy the journey ”
GO Bucs!
October 31st, 2026 at 5:22 pm
The Baker apologist are a funny bunch.
Truths:
-Baker is being paid like an elite top 5-8 QB in the league.
-Baker hasn’t come close to earning his paycheck this year
-Who cares about the money “because it not yours” is about the dumbest thing I’ve heard. It’s not about who’s money it is, it’s about this thing called a salary cap and how Baker is taking up a huge chunk of it and he also will make it harder to get a great HC if they don’t want to come to a team strapped with a bad contract for an average QB.
The good news is Baker has time to turn things around and it starts Sunday. If Baker plays bad, then he will deserve all the criticism that comes with being the team leader and highest paid player in team history.
I rooting for him to play like an elite QB, I’m just not overly confident that he will.
October 31st, 2026 at 5:31 pm
Marky mark Says:
October 31st, 2026 at 10:07 am
No.
But it is our team and poor cap management by concentrated spending in one player who is underperforming is a drag on a team’s ability to win now AND in the future.
He was paid a low salary for 1 year because of doubts around the league. Boo hoo… He’s more than made up for it since then…
Merch sales have no bearing on the salary cap.
The comments about his salary have nothing to do with Glazer-cash.
You clearly don’t understand how funding a franchise works. Most people don’t actually care about the Glazers’ money. What we care about is the salary cap, and if you have a franchise QB salary on the books and you’re not getting performance to match it, your team is crippled by locked up cap space.
The next time I hear someone say, “It is not your money,” my head is going to explode. Maybe educate yourself on the salary cap.