Let me first state that Baker Mayfield has been everything the Buccaneers organization, fans and community could have asked for and more. I need to say that because what I’m about to write is not going to be so flattering.
Next season, Baker will have the unfortunate luck of having to work with his 3rd different OC in three years as Bucs QB. Despite that, he’s done a great job of getting the Bucs into the playoffs the last two years. However, in the playoffs, your mistakes get amplified. In the Bucs last two playoff losses (Detroit in 2023 and Washington in 2024) he committed costly turnovers which either ended the Bucs hope to tie the game (Detroit) or preserve a lead (Washington). Football is the ultimate team game. Quarterbacks get too much praise for winning and too much blame for losing but that’s just the way it is. A leaky defense was as much to blame for many of the losses last year BUT they still gave Baker the ball back with a lead in the playoff game vs Washington.
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Watching the Super Bowl teams next weekend I firmly believe that next season the Bucs Super Bowl window is wide open. A few moves in FA, the draft and some injury luck and the Bucs could be playing in next year’s game. They really are that close and that brings me back to Baker. There’s going to be high expectations for the Bucs and there should be. WHEN the Bucs are playing in the playoffs all eyes should be on Baker. Super Bowl winning QBs simply do not make that critical mistake which ends the season. You don’t have to be a great quarterback to win a Super Bowl (Dilfer, Hosteller etc etc) BUT you need to play smart mostly error free. I love how Baker cooks but next year, save the turnovers for the pastry chefs and the Buccaneers could be playing in their 3rd SB next year.
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