Baker Mayfield Promises Buccaneers Will 'Shock' People This Year

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Aug 18, 2026 1:26 PM ET

Baker Mayfield is ready for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to prove any doubters wrong this season.

Tampa Bay missed the playoffs last season after winning back-to-back NFC South titles. Although he hasn't signed an extension entering a contract year, Mayfield is focused on igniting a 2026 rebound.

Mayfield told JoeBucsFan.com that he appreciates Tampa Bay opening the season on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals. The quarterback is eager to make a quick statement and exceed outside expectations.

"You're with your guys, and it's just the Bucs against everybody else in that city you're going to, and so I think it's a good opportunity for us against the Bengals," Mayfield said. "I think we're going to shock a lot of people this year. And so I'm excited."

Tampa Bay's 2026 outlook

The Buccaneers looked well on their way to making a third straight playoff appearance behind Mayfield before losing seven of their final nine games after a Week 9 bye. Mayfield threw eight interceptions during that stretch and got sacked 12 times in the final four games.

Tampa Bay's offense lost a longtime fixture when wide receiver Mike Evans joined the San Francisco 49ers. Meanwhile, a toe injury could affect Emeka Egbuka's Week 1 availability.

Nevertheless, the Buccaneers are +170 favorites to win the NFC South on DraftKings Sportbook. ESPN's Football Power Index gives them a 41.2% chance to reclaim the division crown despite projecting a modest 8.5 wins.

Mayfield still framed Tampa Bay as an underdog, claiming that many pundits don't anticipate much from his team this season.

"You can't avoid it. The TVs everywhere," Mayfield said. "Everybody's picking us probably to have a losing record."

Mayfield can deploy the "Nobody believes in us" card to start the season, as the Buccaneers are currently 3.5-point road underdogs for their Week 1 matchup at Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 13.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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