Baker Mayfield confident Buccaneers will surprise in 2026 season
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 18, 2026, 4:46 PM
Last updated Aug 18, 2026
Baker Mayfield expressed optimism about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ chances in the upcoming 2026 NFL season. He stated that the team intends to 'shock a lot of people' despite skepticism stemming from their missed playoff appearance last year. The Buccaneers aim to improve from a disappointing 2025 season where they started strong at 6-2 but finished with a losing record after a late collapse. Their season opener is set for Ohio against the Bengals, a matchup Mayfield is eager to begin on the road.
- •Bucs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
- •Tampa Bay's 2026 season opens against the Bengals in Ohio.
- •Mayfield highlights motivation from outside expectations.
- 4:46 PMYahoo Sports — Baker Mayfield: Buccaneers will "shock a lot of people" this year
"It gets a little exhausting when an NFL franchise finds motivation from the fact that: (1) the team hasn't performed up to snuff; and (2) others have noticed.
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