Baker Mayfield Believes Bucs Will "Shock a Lot of People" This Year

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the team for weeks. The combination of Baker Mayfield's contract negotiations ending with the quarterback publicly ripping the team and star defensive tackle Vita Vea's trade request filled the beginning of training camp with negative vibes. The negativity has somewhat subsided over the past couple of weeks. Mayfield has been true to his word that he won't let his contract situation affect his play. He has been out there with his teammates, playing like nothing is wrong.  Vea traveled with the team for its opening preseason game against the New York Jets. Though he hasn't been practicing with the Bucs, he has been actively engaging with his teammates. Linebacker Alex Anzalone is confident that the situation with Vea and the team will get worked out. However, until the Bucs start winning games that actually count, they will continue to be questioned and doubted. Tampa has been consistently ranked in the low 20s in several sets of power rankings. Their over/under for wins this season is only 8.5.  Many analysts believe the 2026 Bucs are the very definition of mediocre. Mayfield can't wait to prove Tampa's doubters wrong, telling reporters on Tuesday that the Bucs are "gonna shock" the people who don't believe in them. "I think we're gonna shock a lot of people this year," Mayfield said Tuesday. "You can't avoid it. There's some TVs everywhere." A reporter followed up by asking the QB if he felt confident about that. One thing Mayfield will never lack is confidence, which he made clear in his answer. "Hell yeah I am. Everybody's picking us probably to have a losing record so...we'll see." Expect A Big Year From Mayfield Mayfield has always played at his best when he feels like he has something to prove.  The chip on his shoulder this season may be the biggest it has ever been. Between not getting offered the contract extension he believes he is worth and the number of people dismissing the Bucs as a contender, Mayfield will be on a mission this season. We should expect a big year from Mayfield, who will be playing with his future on the line this season. Final Thoughts Mayfield is as committed as ever for the upcoming season. Despite feeling "disrespected" and "undervalued" by the Bucs, he is locked in and only focused on winning. The ninth-year veteran is not only extremely confident in himself, but is confident in his teammates as well. Betting against Mayfield has proven to be a mistake in the past, and this season should be no different. It will be a huge disappointment if the Bucs do not reclaim the NFC South throne this season.