Adam SchultzMon, December 1, 2025 at 11:39 PM UTC·2 min readBuccaneers' Baker Mayfield gets huge praise from coach after Cardinals performance originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will never have his toughness questioned, and in the Week 13 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Baker played with a sprained AC joint.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOnly lasting until halftime of the previous week, Baker did what he needed to get healthy enough to play, then went out and performed well.
Mayfield would finish his day going 18 of 28 for 194 yards and a touchdown, but he also wasn't afraid to tuck and run, picking up 27 yards from six carries as well.
And head coach Todd Bowles loved what he saw from his quarterback.
“He's competitive, he did get down, and he got out of bounds one time as well,” Bowles said. “So, I thought he took care of it pretty good. I thought he played very well, he moved the ball around. I thought he got out of the pocket a few times. He made some key throws, and he didn't turn the ball over. So, considering how he was coming into the game, I thought he did a good job.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMore: Will Mike Evans play in Week 14? Latest update on Bucs star WR
Buccaneers offense getting healthy
Bowles stated on Monday that Mike Evans is a possibility to begin practicing this week as he comes back from a broken collarbone, while second-year receiver Jalen McMillan is slowly ramping up his return after a neck injury in the preseason.
Granted, neither is likely to see the field in Week 14 (Evans might if everything goes well), but in the coming weeks, Mayfield could get two handy weapons back for what he hopes will be a deep playoff run.
Having missed a handful of weapons, it appears Tampa Bay might just be getting healthy at the right time with the playoffs coming into view.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnd as the days go by, Mayfield's shoulder will also get healthier.
Everything is coming up Tampa Bay, folks.
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