Baker Mayfield Wants His 'Lick Back' in Buccaneers 2026 Season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started out 6-2 in 2025, and things were looking up for quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield was an MVP candidate, and vibes were great in Tampa Bay.

Those vibes didn't end up continuing throughout the season, though. The Bucs went 2-7 over their last nine games and, presumably due to injuries, Mayfield's play deteriorated. Some thought that head coach Todd Bowles' job was in danger, but he kept his job and plans to coach the Bucs in 2026.

Mayfield and the rest of Tampa Bay's squad, who were there for the 2025 season, weren't happy about how it ended. Mayfield recently had a contract saga this offseason, where he placed a training camp deadline for an extension that he and the team did not meet, but he's stressed that he's all ball from here on out after that saga has come to a close.

Mayfield may be unhappy about his contract situation, but in a recent appearance on the 4th & South podcast with Jarvis Landry and Leonard Fournette, he seems far unhappier about what happened last season — and he's solely focused on fixing it.

Baker Mayfield Ready to Play in 2026

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) participates in training camp at AdventHealth Training Center. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Mayfield was very vocal about his disappointment after he couldn't get an extension done with the Bucs. He told Fournette and Landry that if some people are unhappy with that, it's too bad — but he promised to rectify the team's mistakes from last season this year.

"I've always worn my emotions and thoughts on my sleeve. If you like that, that's great. If you don't, that's too bad — I'm not gonna change for you," Mayfield said. "There's the business side of football. Yes, we all play this for a job, but they know that when it comes to gamedays, I'm ready for a good season. I want my lick back in 2026 — we didn't play well enough in 2025, so it's on go."

Baker Mayfield on contract negotiations not distracting him from how he’ll come to play in 2026 for Bucs.

“They [team] knows when it comes to gamedays, I’m ready for a good season.

I want my lick back in 2026. We didn’t play well in ‘25.

It’s on go.” (via @4thAndSouthPod) pic.twitter.com/zeGjg5V9rG
— Logan B. Robinson (@LogansTwitty) August 11, 2026

Tampa Bay and Mayfield could be in the position to do just that this season. New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson could be a better option at offensive coordinator than Josh Grizzard, and new offensive weapons like running back Kenny Gainwell and wideout Ted Hurst could improve the offense in a big way.

There's still quite a bit of time until Mayfield can try and get that lick back. For now, though, the Bucs will continue joint training camp passes vs. the New York Jets this week before a preseason game on Friday.

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