Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has been blunt in diagnosing what’s gone wrong during the team’s recent slide.
As noted in the Bucs press conference, he’s placing much of the responsibility on himself.
After a 2-5 stretch derailed the Bucs’ hot start, Mayfield has repeatedly emphasized frustration, accountability, and the need for sharper execution.
“We should be frustrated about this loss,” he said after the team’s most recent stumble against the Saints.
“I sucked today, we sucked today.”
His message is that Tampa Bay’s issues aren’t about one massive thing.
Instead, it is the accumulation of “little things” the offense keeps failing to clean up.
The offense must eliminate mental lapses, tighten up fundamentals, and rediscover the “killer instinct” that fueled their early-season success.
While he’s praised the group’s resilience and fight, he’s also warned that effort without execution won’t fix anything.
“We’re very, very close,” he noted last week. “But the details matter. Footwork, route depth, protection, the little things are adding up.”
Baker and the Bucs have a chance to channel their frustrations on a short week against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday.
Mayfield Knows He’s a Major Part of the Problem
Through all of these struggles, Mayfield has been a great team leader, refusing to point fingers.
Mayfield hasn’t shied away from acknowledging his own role in the team’s downfall.
After fans once chanted “MVP” during his blazing start, his production has fallen sharply.
Since Week 6, he has averaged just 190 passing yards per game with an 8 to 5 touchdown to interception ratio.
His completion rate has also dipped to 61%.
By his own admission, his decision-making and mechanics have slipped at critical moments.
“It’s about execution in the biggest moments,” he said. “We have to be better. I have to be better.”
He’s talked about the missed deep balls, sloppy footwork at times, and not finishing drives, all things that have stalled the offense in big moments.
Mayfield’s struggles have mirrored the Bucs’ offensive decline.
They averaged 27.5 points during the first six games but just 21.0 since. The last three games are even worse, only averaging 15.67 points per game.
He understands that the offense “rides and dies” with him, and right now, his performance has not been good enough.
Injuries and Lack of Continuity Haven’t Helped
While Mayfield has taken the blame, he has also acknowledged the reality that Tampa has been dealing with a ton of injuries all season.
With players constantly moving in and out of the lineup, rookies still getting up to speed and veterans missing time, the timing and chemistry have not been there.
Key contributors like Mike Evans, Bucky Irving, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan have missed extended periods of time this season.
Rookie Emeka Egbuka, who was once a frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year, has struggled amid shifting roles as defenses have honed in on him.
Now, Tampa Bay is finally getting healthy.
Bucky Irivng and Chris Godwin have returned in the last few weeks and are finally getting up to speed.
Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan were just activated off injured reserve today and have a great chance to play on Thursday.
With core playmakers returning, Mayfield sees an opportunity for the Bucs to resemble the explosive unit from September.
“We’re close,” Mayfield emphasized. “We just have to execute. The details matter and now we have the chance to get those right.”
With the offense fully healthy again, Baker and the Bucs will look to get back to their early-season success.
Baker Mayfield Doesn’t Hold Back on Buccaneers’ Offensive Struggles