Through two games, Mayfield has completed 44 of 62 passes for 398 yards, one touchdown, three fumbles and one interception. His 71 percent completion rate looks solid, but he is averaging just 6.4 yards per attempt with an 86.6 passer rating. Then there are the turnovers. Mayfield has four through-and-two games, but that number needs some context. Three came on fumbles lost against Cincinnati rather than interceptions. One happened when he was hit from behind while escaping the pocket, another came while fighting for extra yards near the goal line, and the third came on a sack. Those mistakes were costly. Cincinnati turned Tampa Bay's four total lost fumbles into 24 points in a game the Bucs lost by six. Mayfield still completed 23 of 28 passes for 216
yards and did not throw an interception, showing how differently that game could have looked with better ball security.
Against Cleveland, Mayfield did not fumble but threw his first interception of the season. He finished 21 of 34 for only 182 yards and one touchdown in the 23 to 19 loss. The turnovers are worth watching, but the lack of explosive plays might be the bigger concern. Mayfield has only five completions of at least 20 yards through two games, while his yards per attempt dropped to 5.4 against Cleveland. Tampa Bay has struggled to consistently push the ball downfield, and Mayfield has missed some opportunities when receivers have created separation, and protection has not always helped. Mayfield has already been sacked seven times, forcing him to create outside the pocket more often than Tampa Bay would probably like.
So is it time to worry? Mayfield has shown enough during his time in Tampa Bay that two games should not erase everything that came before them. Still, the Bucs need more from their quarterback, especially after committing to him long-term. The fumbles are correctable; what will be more important is whether Mayfield can protect the football while getting Tampa Bay's explosive passing game back on track. If the same issues continue against Minnesota, Green Bay, and Dallas, then there will be a much stronger reason for concern. Tampa Bay cannot afford to lose a majority of the next three games if they want to get back to leading the South.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Is it time to panic about Baker Mayfield?
