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The Bucs will hope they can bounce back on both sides of the football after Tuesday’s joint practice session with the Jaguars.

Not only was Tampa Bay’s defense whipped by Liam Coen’s offense, but the team’s own offensive unit struggled to move the ball and had a tough morning. In the middle of those difficulties was quarterback Baker Mayfield. The team’s signal-caller realizes how the group must respond going forward, although he was a bit more positive about several players who have either returned or stepped up.

Baker Mayfield: The Jaguars Were The More Physical Team In Practice

The Jaguars jumped at the chance to bring energy whenever they made a defensive play during the first joint practice. Contrasting that was seeing the Bucs fall flat and fail to match the intensity and physicality Jacksonville brought on a snap-to-snap-basis.

Baker Mayfield agrees.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

“It’s tough,” Mayfield said about how Tuesday’s practice went offensively. “I thought they gave us some good looks; they were playing with their hair on fire. If this was a full game, I don’t think we would have come out on the winning side of it. A little eye-opening, we have to get back and watch the tape. It’s never as good or as bad as you think it is. From my standpoint, they out-physicaled us.

“That’s never what you want to have. Doesn’t matter who we have out there, you want guys who are going to do their very best to be the more physical team and want it more. I don’t know if we did that today. Tape will tell; two-minute work was decent. Lightning kind of cut it short, but at that point, guys got to get in game shape. Guys were kind of huffing and puffing a little bit. It’s hot, I get it, but we needed it.”

To Mayfield, it is clear that this the kind of kick the offense needed to reach another gear. Time will tell if that happens, as the unit was far from being a well-oiled machine. No. 6 was among those who had dud days as he struggled with his accuracy and decision-making in throwing two interceptions. Between that, the offensive line giving up pressure, and the running backs failing to find space, the struggles were real.

Despite Bucs Offensive Struggles, Baker Mayfield Discusses The Silver Linings

Even with the Bucs’ offense struggling, Baker Mayfield found a few silver linings to discuss after practice.

That began when discussing left tackle Tristan Wirfs, as he participated in 11-on-11s for the first time in training camp as he hit his next milestone toward being ready for Week 1 against the Bengals in less than three weeks.

Wirfs is not the only one whose return has Mayfield optimistic. Running back Bucky Irving played in the second preseason game and averaged 4.7 yards on three carries. Former Bucs Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden shared during the TV broadcast that Irving gained 10 pounds of muscle, which his quarterback seemed to confirm.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I think Bucky looks really good,” Mayfield said. “He put on a lot of muscle, still shifty as ever. Proud of Bucky; that surgery sucks. I’ve gone through it, it’s a pain. A lot of the same things, routine every single day that you’re just itching to get out there and do what you want but not able to. He’s done a great job rehabbing and coming back from that.

“I think he’s looking really good right now. His tracks when it comes to the run game, protection-wise, I think his knowledge of what we’re trying to get done in the pass game has come a long way. He’s taken another big step.”

Ted Hurst III is another player who has taken a big step toward being a high-volume target within the offense. Hurst has seen more action than expected with wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan held out of practice due to injury. Mayfield sees the rookie responding well.

“You can see it clicking, just the motions and everything that we’re trying to get done,” Mayfield said. “When he has a one-on-one matchup, you notice the ball is probably coming his way. Yeah, he’s making a lot of plays. A lot of the guys need to get their game legs ready. He was hurting a little bit today, a lot of routes and a lot of reps. We’re down on receivers, but these guys understand that.”

Baker Mayfield and the Bucs’ offense are hoping to take Tuesday’s joint practice to understand where they must improve going forward. As the pieces are starting to come together, the most important part is how they all fit together and play as one.