You don’t have to be an NFL insider with the highest level of contacts to understand there was something really wrong with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield in a Week 12 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
When Mayfield came back out of the locker room at halftime in street clothes, and with his arm in a sling, it should have been obvious. But sometimes it takes an insider to state the obvious.
“If you see a player on street clothes in a sling it means time will be missed … he’s had surgery on that shoulder before,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on SportsCenter on Monday, November 24. “He’ll have an MRI today to see the extent of the damage.”
Mayfield, who is in his third year as the starter for the Buccaneers, watched the second half of a 34-7 loss after he appeared to first hurt his left shoulder on a run in the first half then again on a failed Hail Mary attempt to end the first half.
“Buccaneers have ruled out Baker Mayfield for tonight due to a left shoulder injury,” Schefter wrote on his official X account during the game. “Baker Mayfield is on the sideline with his left arm in a sling.”
The Buccaneers dropped to 6-5 with the loss — their third consecutive defeat — with backup Teddy Bridgewater going 8-of-15 passing or 62 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in the second half.
Mayfield Hasn’t Missed Game With Buccaneers
Mayfield has been one of the NFL’s most durable quarterbacks in his first 3 seasons as the starter for the Buccaneers and hasn’t missed a game since signing a 1-year, $3 million contract before the 2023 season.
The game against the Rams was his 48th consecutive start for Tampa Bay, including regular season games and playoff games.
Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns, actually played part of one season for the Rams in 2022 before coming to the Buccaneers.
He made the first 2 Pro Bowls of his career in 2023 and 2024, when he led Tampa Bay to consecutive NFC South Division titles. The Buccaneers signed Mayfield to a 3-year, $100 million contract in March 2024.
Buccaneers Have Rough Road With Bridgewater
The Buccaneers could be facing a tough road with Bridgewater as their starting quarterback for any extended period of time.
Bridgewater, 33 years old, is a former first round pick (No. 32 overall) by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2014 NFL draft and was actually a surprise addition to the roster this season. The Buccaneers didn’t even sign Bridgewater until August 5 and it only took him 3 weeks to beat out incumbent backup quarterback Kyle Trask.
Bridgewater hasn’t started a game since 2022, when he went 0-2 with the Miami Dolphins. He hasn’t been a full time starter since he went 7-7 in 14 starts with the Denver Broncos in 2021 but is 33-32 as a starter in 11 NFL seasons.
“You can’t legitimately tell me Teddy Bridgewater is a viable QB option,” FAA Podcast’s Rusty Miller wrote on X. “He has barely hit open receivers and very limited mobility in the pocket.”
NFL Insider: Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield ‘Will Miss Time’ After Injury