The highs of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2025 season did little to soften the sting of how it ended for quarterback Baker Mayfield.
After opening the year with a 6-2 record, Tampa Bay stumbled to a 2-7 finish and missed the playoffs for the first time in six seasons. Mayfield’s production followed a similar path. He looked like an early NFL MVP candidate after throwing 16 touchdown passes against just two interceptions during the first half of the season. Down the stretch, however, he managed only 10 touchdown passes while tossing nine interceptions.
Rather than dwelling on the wins, Mayfield said the disappointing finish has remained with him throughout the offseason.
“That I still hate losing more than I love winning,” Mayfield said during mandatory minicamp. “That was the most frustrating thing. You know, some of those games we had won (were) based on the little details early in the season that we weren’t doing the same things in the back half of the year. Whether that’s attention to detail, not taking each meeting/install for granted and making sure no matter what point of the season it is, you’re over-communicating especially with different guys in there and making sure you’re talking about the little details, the timing.”
“I learned that no matter what, I was fighting through a lot, but I was trying to be the same person each and every day. To me, that’s what a good leader does.”
Leading Through Adversity
Mayfield’s leadership has rarely been questioned during his time in Tampa Bay. Even while battling multiple injuries throughout last season, he remained available every week.
Head coach Todd Bowles did acknowledge there was one area where he wanted to see improvement. He challenged his quarterback to avoid unnecessary contact instead of exposing himself to extra hits while scrambling.
Mayfield appeared on the injury report in 10 of the team’s 18 weeks with ailments involving his foot, toe, knee, right biceps, oblique and right shoulder.
“He can take a little bit better care of himself in certain situations,” Bowles stated. “I understand when he’s a yard and a half or 2 from a first down, but not when it’s 10 yards or 8 yards from the first down when he can get up and live another day.”
Mayfield didn’t agree with the criticism.
“I’ve started every single game the last three years, so I don’t know if that should ever be a question,” Mayfield said.
Owning the Mistakes While Looking Ahead
Although Mayfield defended his toughness, he acknowledged there were moments last season he would like to have back.
His costly fourth-quarter interception against the Atlanta Falcons in December proved especially damaging. The turnover not only swung the game but also likely ended Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes.
Mayfield admitted there were times when he tried to do too much.
“I think there were times where I tried to force the ball in certain situations,” Mayfield stated. “There’s a lot of throws I wish I had back, don’t get me wrong on that. But in the flow of the game, you have to react, you have to trigger it and I’ve always played like that. Last year, some of those plays didn’t go my way.”
“Moving forward, I’ve still got to be consistent for these guys each and every day and let the big boys handle it up front and go from there. I feel very comfortable where our defense is at and instead of trying to have to put up 30 each game, I feel really confident we’re going to have a really good D.”
Giving Fans a Behind-the-Scenes Look
Mayfield’s 2025 campaign is featured in Netflix’s documentary series Quarterback.
The Buccaneers quarterback previously declined multiple invitations from producer and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning before deciding this was the right time to participate.
“Turning it down the first few times I think for me was it seems like it’s a me, me, me thing and I wanted to make sure it wasn’t going to be like that,” Mayfield stated. “So talking to guys who have one it in the past, I mean, continuous conversations with Peyton Manning about how it’s really not that invasive. … I hope that (it) gives an insight into the fact that I truly love this game, I love my teammates and I bust my ass.”
Confidence in Tampa Bay’s New-Look Offense
With longtime No. 1 receiver Mike Evans departing in free agency for the San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay’s passing attack will have a different look this season. Even so, Mayfield believes the Buccaneers have plenty of talent to keep the offense productive.
He praised several returning playmakers while expressing confidence in the team’s young receiving corps and tight ends.
“Chris (Godwin) looks really, really good right now. I’ve been training with him the whole offseason and J-Mac (Jalen McMillan) as well. Those guys have busted their tails. Chris looks like he’s back into pure form. J-Mac’s healthy and he looks great. At this point last year, unfortunately, he got hurt. Then obviously Emeka (Egbuka) taking those steps from Year 1 to Year 2. Tez (Johnson) obviously showed flashes last year and then Ted Hurst, you know, Cade (Otton), Payne (Durham), Bauer (Sharp), Ko (Kieft), Devin (Culp).”
“We’ve got some weapons. It’s a luxury to have but for me it’s going through my reads and not trying to force it because with the system that we have and the guys that we have, somebody should be open.”
Contract Talks on Hold
Mayfield also addressed his contract situation, confirming there has been little movement toward an extension. With negotiations expected to pause once training camp begins, he said his attention remains on preparing for the season.
“It’s not going to affect how I approach this,” Mayfield stated. “Things will happen when they should but for now, I’m worried about getting better each day, finishing minicamp and this offseason program the right way and going into training camp. So just handle it one day at a time.”
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