Baker Mayfield Doesn’t Care About Third-And-Long
June 22nd, 2026
Gunslinger.
Baker Mayfield has no fear.
Joe remembers when America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, was talking to Dirk Koetter in an interview at Jameis’ Pro Day in Tallahassee. Koetter later recounted how Jameis told him, “I’m not afraid to make any throw.” Koetter responded, “You should be.”
No, Jameis sure wasn’t afraid. Defender standing right there? So what? LOL
Now Mayfield doesn’t throw near the picks Jameis did, but it appears stats show Mayfield has a similar don’t-give-a-s(p)it attitude about throwing. He doesn’t care about the down or distance.
Per Tony Holzman-Escarenos, a senior researcher for the NFL, only two quarterbacks last year converted more first downs on third-and-long situations than Mayfield. And both only had one more first down converted than Mayfield.
Jordan Love and Drake Maye (30 times) converted or scored touchdowns on third-and-long (seven or more yards) more than Mayfield (29). Mayfield was tied with Bo Nix.
Stunning to Joe is that a quarterback who was so good at converting so many third-and-longs struggled in so many games last season. That usually does not add up.
Love, Maye and Nix all made the playoffs and Maye got his team to a Super Bowl. Mayfield watched the playoffs on his couch, just like you and Joe.
This stat also tells Joe either the Bucs’ running game wasn’t getting the job done early in a set of downs and/or Mayfield wasn’t as proficient on first-down throws.