Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield expressed disappointment following his team’s 23-20 wild-card loss to the Washington Commanders, particularly regretting a critical fumble in the fourth quarter. Mayfield took full responsibility for the mishap, which occurred during a botched jet sweep with rookie receiver Jalen McMillan. As McMillan passed by, Mayfield lost control of the ball, allowing Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner to recover it at the 13-yard line.
“That comes back to me, just timing it up correctly,” Mayfield remarked. “The timing [of the fumble] was not great.” This proved especially costly as the Commanders capitalized on the turnover shortly after, with quarterback Jayden Daniels throwing a touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin that put Washington ahead 20-17.
Despite the loss, Mayfield praised his team’s resilience throughout the season. Following a rough stretch that included a four-game losing streak, the Buccaneers rallied to finish the regular season with a 10-7 record and secure another NFC South title. Mayfield noted the contributions of various players, especially those who stepped up in the absence of key teammates like Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.
Coach Todd Bowles echoed Mayfield’s sentiments, emphasizing that mistakes are part of the game. “They’re human. We’re going to make mistakes and he got us here — we wouldn’t even be here without Baker,” Bowles said of his quarterback.
Throughout the season, Mayfield achieved significant personal milestones, including throwing 41 touchdowns, the second-most in the NFL, and improving his completion percentage to 71%. However, he remained focused on the collective effort rather than individual accolades.
The Bucs initially began their season with a strong win against the Commanders but could not replicate that success in the playoffs. Mayfield lamented the missed opportunity, stating, “It’s disappointing overall because I believe in this team. I believe we have the talent, the coaching staff, and everybody around us to be able to go far.”
Moving forward, there’s optimism for the Buccaneers as they look to build on this season’s achievements and the lessons learned from their playoff experience. Young players, like McMillan, have gained valuable experience that can only serve to strengthen the team in the future.
In summary, the Bucs’ season, while ending in heartbreak, showcased significant growth and provided a solid foundation for the future—leaving fans hopeful for what lies ahead.