Baker Mayfield, Todd Bowles & the Bucs’ Make-or-Break 2026 Season - Ep. 558

Four lost fumbles. A six-point loss. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had chances in Cincinnati, but costly mistakes sent them home with a 33-27 defeat to the Bengals in Week 1.Rhett and Evan break down Baker Mayfield's three lost fumbles, Josiah Trotter's standout NFL debut, the offense's missed opportunities and the final drive that kept Tampa Bay from getting another shot. How much should Bucs fans take away from this opener, and what has to change before Week 2?

Baker Mayfield is staying in Tampa Bay. James Hill ( @MrBucsNation ) joins Rhett Matthew to react to Mayfield’s reported three-year, $165 million extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and discuss what the commitment means for the franchise.Is $55 million per year the right price for Baker? We break down the timing of the deal, the expectations that come with it and what the Bucs need to build around their quarterback to turn this investment into playoff success.

How many games will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win in 2026? Rhett and Evan predict every game on the schedule, make their final record and playoff picks, and debate whether the Bucs can reclaim the NFC South.Can Baker Mayfield and Zac Robinson get the offense clicking early, or will the running game need time to find its footing? We break down the toughest matchups, potential upset wins and divisional games that could decide Tampa Bay’s season.We also preview the Week 1 matchup against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, including the biggest concerns for Todd Bowles’ defense and what the Bucs need to do to leave Cincinnati with a win.

NFC South rivals had some serious questions about Baker Mayfield, and Rhett did not duck them. Is Baker truly a franchise quarterback? Are the Buccaneers smart to wait on a massive extension? And can Todd Bowles take this team any further than another NFC South title?Rhett joins the Winning the Division NFC South roundtable for a wide-ranging conversation about Baker’s future, Bowles’ hot seat, Jalon Daniels winning QB2, Zac Robinson’s new offense, Tampa Bay’s rebuilt defense, life without Mike Evans, Jason Licht’s future and why New Orleans remains the Bucs’ biggest rival.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made some major statements on cutdown day. Jalon Daniels beat out Jake Browning for the QB2 job, while Chris Braswell and preseason sack leader Jack Pyburn were both cut in a surprising overhaul at edge rusher.Rhett and Evan break down every major roster decision, including Sean Tucker surviving at running back, Ayden Garnes earning his opportunity and what Tampa Bay’s 2-1 preseason actually told us ahead of Week 1.

Are the Buccaneers asking Baker Mayfield to carry too much again? Rhett joins Rock Riley on WDAE to break down Jalon Daniels vs. Jake Browning, why Tampa Bay may keep three quarterbacks, the biggest questions surrounding Zach Robinson’s offense and why Ruben Bain Jr., Vita Vea and a reworked defense could be the team’s biggest reason for optimism.Do you trust the Bucs offense or defense more heading into Week 1?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers closed the preseason with an ugly 19-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jalon Daniels finally received an extended opportunity to strengthen his case for a roster spot, but a fumbled under-center snap and a lifeless offensive performance brought the hype train to a sudden stop.We break down what one bad night really means for Daniels, whether Jack Pyburn forced his way onto the final 53, Tampa Bay’s major special teams concerns and the biggest winners and losers heading into final roster cuts.

Is Sean Tucker’s spot on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster suddenly in danger?Tucker led the Bucs in rushing, recovered a fumble and scored the game-winning touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, Josh Williams’ versatility, special-teams value and significantly cheaper contract have created a legitimate debate in Tampa Bay’s backfield.Rhett and @MrBucsNation break down the case for and against Tucker, the roster math working against him and the biggest overlooked winners and losers from the Bucs’ 16-15 preseason victory over the Chiefs.

Jalon Daniels has officially made the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ backup quarterback decision uncomfortable. The rookie led all three Bucs scoring drives as Tampa Bay rallied to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 16-15, then connected with Kameron Johnson on the third-down conversion that sealed the win.We’re live breaking down the growing QB2 battle between Daniels and Jake Browning, Baker Mayfield’s brief night, Rueben Bain Jr.’s debut, Anthony Nelson and the Bucs defense, plus the biggest roster risers and concerns from Preseason Week 2.

Vita Vea is staying in Tampa Bay after landing a new extension with the Buccaneers. We break down what the deal means for Vita, Jason Licht and a Bucs organization that continues to reward its homegrown stars with second contracts and beyond.Then we turn to the roster bubble. Is Chris Braswell running out of time to prove he belongs? Could Jack Pyburn’s NCAA eligibility drama change his future in Tampa Bay? Plus, Todd Bowles says the backup quarterback job is “up for grabs,” setting up another important battle before final cuts.