Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield admitted that he was “around 50%” healthy heading into the team’s Week 9 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, and that revelation helps explain some of his recent struggles with accuracy and mobility.
Mayfield has been dealing with both a knee issue and an oblique injury, which he says have impacted his mechanics and ability to move. Those comments line up with the visible decline in his precision: after completing roughly 66% of his passes through six games, he dipped below 60% over the next two as the injuries worsened.
The knee and oblique problems also explain his lack of rushing production. Mayfield averaged over 25 rushing yards per game earlier in the year, but failed to record a single yard in the two games leading up to the Bye Week. “Some of the lanes were there,” he said, “but I didn’t feel like I was able to get up to full speed.”
That limitation reduces the threat of his scrambling, one of the subtle elements that keeps defenses honest and extends drives.
Mayfield emphasized he’s “not making excuses,” but it’s clear his physical limitations have affected his performance and the Bucs’ offensive rhythm. The bye week offered much-needed recovery time, and Mayfield says the rest “definitely helped.”
Still, for Tampa Bay to regain its offensive edge in the second half of the season, the key will be getting Mayfield closer to 100% and back to playing the fearless, mobile style that drives the Bucs’ success.
