Baker Mayfield expects Buccaneers to surprise NFL in 2026

Baker Mayfield thinks the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can surprise the NFL in 2026. The quarterback made that clear while speaking with reporters Tuesday. “I think we’re going to shock a lot of people this year,” Mayfield said. “And so I’m excited to just get on the road and do that.” The confidence comes after Tampa Bay finished 8-9 last season and missed the playoffs. The Buccaneers also lost seven of their final eight games after starting 6-2. MORE: Tom Brady calls out NFL players for resting during preseason Mayfield knows many outside the building expect another difficult season. When asked about those predictions, he offered a direct response. “Yeah, I mean, listen, embellish it,” Mayfield said. “There’s no embellishing. I think you can’t avoid it. There’s TVs everywhere.” Mayfield then made his confidence even clearer when asked if he truly believed Tampa Bay could turn things around. “Yeah. Hell yeah, I am,” he said. “Everybody’s picking us probably to have a losing record. So, we’ll see.” Why Baker Mayfield thinks Tampa Bay can turn it around East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) warms up before a game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters) The Buccaneers have already shown some depth during the preseason. They defeated the New York Jets 24-16 despite resting Mayfield and most starters. However, that result says little about the regular season. Mayfield must lead an offense adjusting to another coordinator, with Zac Robinson taking over the unit. The bigger challenge involves replacing veteran production. Mike Evans left for San Francisco, while Tampa Bay also lost other important pieces during the offseason. Still, the roster has young talent around Mayfield. Emeka Egbuka gives the passing game another weapon, while defensive additions could help address last season’s problems. Tampa Bay’s ceiling depends heavily on Mayfield staying healthy and limiting mistakes. His 3,693 passing yards and 26 touchdowns last season were not enough to prevent the collapse. MORE: Giants’ Cam Skattebo impresses coach despite not being 100% Mayfield will likely get his first preseason action Saturday against Kansas City. He is expected to play a couple of drives, giving Tampa Bay its first look at the new offense with its starting quarterback. His prediction is bold, but the 2026 Buccaneers have enough changes to make the season worth watching. Now Mayfield must turn that confidence into consistent results. — Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —