The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are not having the start to the 2026 season that they envisioned.
The Buccaneers are 0-3 and could realistically face a scenario where they go winless over the next few weeks. Tampa Bay will host the Green Bay Packers in Week 4 before facing the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Carolina Panthers.
Making matters worse, Baker Mayfield is injured and will miss at least three weeks due to a thumb injury sustained at the end of the Buccaneers' Week 3 game against the Minnesota Vikings. The injury occurred when Mayfield was trying to prolong a play on Tampa Bay's second-to-last offensive drive, only to take a hit that caused the injury.
Bruce Arians, who led the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl win as the head coach during
the 2020 season, had a strong message for Mayfield while making an appearance on Kay Adams' "Up and Adams Show."
Via Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times:
“Not making the plays that were there,” Arians said. “The offensive line is one of the best in the league and he’s got to quit doing this. You know? Just throw the damn ball away. That’s not his nature, I know. But this is how he always get hurt. I haven’t had the conversation with him personally, but we need you on that field."
Mayfield obviously intended to extend the Buccaneers' drive, as it was a fourth-down situation. However, Arians has a major point: Mayfield left himself vulnerable to injury by overextending on the play. The 31-year-old quarterback has a habit of doing this repeatedly, which leaves him prone to big hits. It eventually caught up to Mayfield late in the Vikings game.
The Buccaneers will now roll with undrafted free agent Jalon Daniels in Mayfield's absence.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bruce Arians has strong message for Mayfield
