[](https://www.joebucsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Mayfieldleftsaints.png)The Bucs are a better team than they were a year ago — while Baker Mayfield has been a less productive quarterback.
It’s a good sign.
Months ago Joe wrote about how it was unrealistic to expect Mayfield to crank out another 41-touchdown season with 4,500 yards passing. Heck, Mayfield completed 71.4 percent of his passes last year. He’s at 63.9 percent this year after today’s glorious beatdown of the slimy Saints.
Mayfield even has less rushing yards this season than he did through eight games last year.
And it’s all good.
Mayfield has cut his turnovers and has been a clutch performer, except for the past two games.
Joe thinks Mayfield is more banged up than he’s letting on. One shred of evidence is Mayfield not running for a yard through the past two games, including not attempting a quarterback sneak today when the Bucs were on the Saints’ 1 yard line eight different times.
The bye comes at the perfect time for the franchise QB, and Joe expects Mayfield to have big second half of 2025, especially if the Bucs step up and get him receiving help before the Nov. 4 trade deadline.