Baker Mayfield’s struggles and inconsistency continue to plague the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the team navigates a difficult roster shuffle compounded by a major injury to a key defensive player. As of July 2025, Tampa Bay faces mounting questions about their quarterback’s reliability while also coping with the loss of a promising rookie on defense.

Ongoing Challenges for Mayfield Highlighted by Another Costly Turnover

Former NFL safety and analyst Ryan Clark recently declared Baker Mayfield a top 10 quarterback, citing his turnaround from a failed experiment in Cleveland to a reliable starter in Tampa Bay. Despite Clark’s confidence, detailed examination suggests Mayfield’s performance is far from elite. His arm strength remains suspect, and his decision-making continues to falter under pressure, reinforcing the narrative of persistent inconsistency.

This tension was underscored on July 30, when Mayfield suffered a solo fumble during practice, a mistake eerily reminiscent of a critical playoff error earlier in the year. The Pewter Report described the moment:

Baker Mayfield broke looks and scrambled on his own for about 20 yards, but then fumbled the ball on his own with nobody around him.

This turnover was particularly painful because no defenders forced it; it stemmed entirely from Mayfield’s mishandling of the football.

Fans were haunted by memories of the NFC Wild Card playoff loss to the Washington Commanders in January 2025. In that game, a fumbled jet sweep involving rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan in the fourth quarter contributed to the Buccaneers’ defeat. Mayfield did not shy away from responsibility after the game, saying,

That comes back to me, just timing it up correctly,

and further admitting,

First one all year that it happened on. So obviously the timing of it not great, being backed up. Defense had done a hell of a job getting us the ball, another fourth-down stop and yeah, unfortunate, but that falls on me.

Despite these setbacks, Tampa Bay has shown faith in Mayfield’s abilities. In March 2025, the Buccaneers restructured his contract, guaranteeing $30 million for 2026 and locking him into a three-year, $100 million deal with additional incentives. This move reflects the organization’s commitment amid ongoing questions about Mayfield’s consistency as their starting quarterback.

Defensive Blow: Rookie Pass Rusher Suffers Season-Ending ACL Injury

Compounding Tampa Bay’s difficulties, the Buccaneers suffered a significant defensive setback in practice when rookie edge rusher David Walker ruptured his ACL, ending his 2025 campaign before it began. Walker, a fourth-round draft pick from Central Florida and winner of the Buck Buchanan Award as the FCS defensive player of the year, was poised to add vital depth to Tampa’s pass rush.

Head coach Todd Bowles expressed his disappointment candidly after delivering the news.

He was making a big impact early. Obviously, we were counting on him doing a lot of things, but other guys are going to have to step up. I told him he has to look at this like a redshirt year. It’s unfortunate. It didn’t look like it was too much on film, but it ended up being that.

Walker’s physical presence—standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 260 pounds—along with his college statistics that included 10.5 sacks and a nation-leading 23 tackles for loss, made him an exciting prospect for the Buccaneers. His sudden injury forces adjustments across the defense, pushing veterans like Haason Reddick and Yaya Diaby to shoulder more responsibility. Anthony Nelson and Chris Braswell also must increase their playing time to compensate for Walker’s absence.

General manager Jason Licht now faces pressure to address the unexpected hole in the roster, one that undermines the aggressive draft strategy the Bucs had planned to use to reinforce their pass rush rotation. The injury dims the outlook for Tampa Bay’s defensive depth, which had been a point of optimism heading into the season.

Pressure Mounts as Tampa Bay Navigates Uncertainty at Key Positions

The combination of Baker Mayfield’s ongoing struggles and critical injuries like Walker’s presents Tampa Bay with complex challenges. Head coach Todd Bowles and the coaching staff must make difficult decisions regarding the roster amid uncertain quarterback performance and weakened defensive options. Mayfield’s inconsistency remains particularly troubling in critical game situations, casting doubt on Tampa Bay’s ability to count on steady leadership under center.

The 2025 season’s early trajectory suggests Tampa Bay could face turbulence if these issues persist. The quarterback’s costly errors in high-pressure moments have already shaped recent playoff disappointment and are now a source of unease during training and off-season preparation. Defensive vulnerabilities add further strain, leaving fans and analysts to question whether the pieces are in place for a successful campaign.

With Mayfield’s contract secured through the next two seasons, Tampa Bay’s front office must balance loyalty with performance as they contemplate potential roster moves or strategic changes. Meanwhile, the defensive staff will likely need to rely heavily on unproven players stepping into larger roles to maintain competitiveness in the NFC South.