The Athletic came out with its list of bold predictions for every NFL team, including the Bucs, prior to the start of the 2026 season. While the predictions for Tampa Bay’s division rivals seem quite bold and perhaps a bit lofty – Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson would set a new NFL record for all-purpose yardage, Carolina would have a top 5 defense and New Orleans QB Tyler Shough would be a Pro Bowler – the Athletic’s prediction for Tampa Bay seems to be attainable.

While The Athletic didn’t predict the Bucs’ 2026 record or their expected finish within the NFC South division, it did suggest that quarterback Baker Mayfield would have his best year yet. That’s saying something considering that Mayfield’s current best season occurred in 2024 under former offensive coordinator Liam Coen.

That year Mayfield threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns, which was the second most in a single season in Tampa Bay, in addition to completing a franchise-best 71.4% completion percentage – all career highs. That earned Mayfield a much-deserved Pro Bowl berth, and more importantly, helped the Bucs win the NFC South with a 10-7 record.

So for Mayfield to beat those numbers under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and without star receiver and future Hall of Famer Mike Evans … well, that’s really saying something.

Mayfield was battered and bruised last year and dealt with a myriad of injuries from an MCL knee sprain to a shoulder sprain on his non-throwing arm to a nasty bruise on his throwing arm. That injuries played a role in the team’s decline from a hot 6-2 start to the team’s ice cold 2-7 finish, which resulted in an 8-9 Tampa Bay team losing the division title to Carolina via a tiebreaker.

Bucs’ Bold Prediction: “Baker Mayfield Will Have A Career-Best Performance”

Dan Pompei from The Athletic authored the Bucs’ bold prediction for the 2026 season preview piece, and the subject matter he picked was 31-year old quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is entering a very important contract year. Here is what Pompei had to say about Tampa Bay’s undisputed team leader.

Despite losing wide receiver Mike Evans, Mayfield is primed for a bounce-back season for numerous reasons. Injuries limited him in 2025, and he’s healthy again. At 31, he should be in a zone where peak ability meets high-level understanding, and his specialness should be enhanced by new game planner/play caller Zac Robinson.

He also has extra motivation — Mayfield is playing out the last year of his contract. And even though Evans was his go-to before injury curtailed him last year, Mayfield still has plenty of inviting hands to throw to with Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, Tez Johnson and Ted Hurst vying for his passes.

Bucs OC Zac Robinson and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

That’s certainly what the Bucs hope will happen this year, and that’s a big reason why the team parted ways with last year’s offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, who didn’t have any previous play-calling experience, in favor of Robinson.

Having a career-best performance might not necessarily be matching or besting his 2024 numbers of 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdowns, which was second in the league that season. It might be throwing 35 touchdowns but only tossing 10 interceptions rather than the 16 interceptions he threw in 2024, which was tied for the team league with former Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins.

And of course that could be a slightly less dazzling statistical season but helping to guide Tampa Bay’s offense to more than 10 wins and a higher playoff standing in the NFC in 2026. However you define, both the veteran quarterback and the Bucs want the same thing in 2026 – the best Mayfield has to offer – for largely the same reason.