Shaun King: If Bucs Want To Win A Super Bowl, Baker Mayfield Is Not The Answer
February 2nd, 2024
Shaun King on Baker Mayfield.
All signs as of Feb. 2 point to the Bucs being very serious in trying to bring back quarterback Baker Mayfield. But one of only four quarterbacks to lead the Bucs to an NFC title game said the Bucs better be very careful.
Former Bucs quarterback, USF offensive assistant and popular sports radio personality Shaun King said the Bucs may want to think twice before getting Mayfield to re-up, he told Kyle Odegard of BettingOdds.com.
In short, King wanted to know if the Bucs want to just be good or have a chance to be great. If making the playoffs is the goal, then Mayfield may be your guy. If winning a Super Bowl is the end game, tread lightly.
“I don’t think I can win a Super Bowl with Baker,” said King, who won a championship with Tampa Bay and started 22 games for the team between 1999 and 2003. “I think I can be good with Baker. I can be a team that competes for an NFC South division title, and if it all falls right, we can win a game in the playoffs. But I don’t think I can win a Super Bowl with Baker. And this isn’t a knock on Baker. This is me being honest about what else is out there, and what you have to overcome to win a championship.
“I wouldn’t want to pigeonhole myself contractually into living in the past, which would be: Baker outperformed what we thought, now we’ve got to pay him what other starting quarterbacks are getting when they hit free agency,” King said. “No, that’s what got the Giants in trouble. What did they give Daniel Jones, $40 million? Come on. Now they’re stuck. He wasn’t better than Tyrod Taylor. I don’t want the Bucs to make that same mistake, in my opinion.”
Given the success Mayfield had with the Bucs, the Bucs are stuck. Either they re-sign him or they have likely have no quarterback. Then they lose, and Todd Bowles and company are not trying to get fired. Joe can assure you of that.
Because the Bucs were a timeout and a few plays away from the NFC title game, the Bucs won themselves out of range to trade up to get a top-shelf quarterback in the draft. Bucs assistant general manager John Spytek admitted this recently. So it’s Mayfield or lose and get fired.
King said the only way he would bring Mayfield back is if the Bucs have all sorts of outs in the contract.
“I think the move is to sign Baker to a two-, three-year deal where the team has the leverage on the backside of it, and draft the right young quarterback,” King said. “Obviously the Kyle Trask pick, in hindsight, was a bad pick, especially because it was in the second round. You could have added a significant piece, and Trask hasn’t been able to beat out anyone.”
However, what is “the right quarterback?” Those types of quarterbacks are not usually available to be drafted at No. 26, where the Bucs draft in April.
“Get the right young quarterback, whether it’s a Michael Penix or a J.J. McCarthy. I’m just going by guys that can potentially still be available by the time that pick rolls around. That allows them to sit and learn the system for a year under Baker.”
This is exactly what Joe has been saying for weeks. Even if the Bucs do bring Mayfield back, they must draft a quarterback in the first round.
Joe isn’t sure about this J.J. McCarthy (man, this dude does not pass the smell test or the eye test but scouts sure do drool over him), but Penix should be available in the teens where the Bucs might be in range to trade up and grab him.
Whatever quarterback the Bucs draft in the first round, just like King said, let him sit a couple or three years. It worked for Aaron Rodgers. It worked for Pat Mahomes. It worked for Jordan Love. Why couldn’t it work for the Bucs?
To miss out on a quarterback in the first round in probably the richest, top-heavy quarterback draft in 41 years would be downright shameful for the Bucs.
"The last pass I threw was to Derrick Barnes in Detroit." 💀 @BakerMayfield
📺: #ProBowlGames on ESPN pic.twitter.com/vGe4rJiRW8
— NFL (@NFL) February 2, 2024
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:18 am
I cannot say whether Baker can win a SB with the Bucs or not. Jury is out on that.
But I will say something about the King. Anyone remember those terrible “beach ball” sitting duck passes floating over the middle from King?
They sure were not going to win a Super Bowl with him.
I can still remember Rich MacKay saying “We are not a QB driven team” that was when King was the starting QB
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:22 am
The last pass he threw in a playoff game was an interception. I’m glad he’s able to joke about it. That’s because he knows the Bucs are going to pay him anyway.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:23 am
I don’t think they should go QB. Need to continue to build the pass rush/CB depth maybe even interior o line. Those are the spots they should focus on. QB isn’t a need in 2024
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:30 am
I agree with King about Baker and the Bucs’ contract strategy. I’m not a huge Baker fan, not expecting much from him this year, but he outperformed most everyone’s expectations. Who knows what he could do with an OC better than Canales?
I’m not sold on drafting a QB, even Penix, at 26. I’d rather get an edge guy that will produce immediately, unlike drafting a QB to sit behind Baker for a couple years.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:55 am
Some ignorant ass fans for Tampa
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:20 am
Mayfield played good, better than many expected. He had some bad games and he has a couple of bad throws/decisions every game but many QBs do.
The thing is Mayfield needs a good team around him to succeed, he is not a top QB.
He is not a QB that will carry the team on jis back and win games on his own.
He is not a QB that makes the players around him look better than thay are.
If you have a complete team with a great roster then MAYBE you can go far with Mayfield. But we dont have that team, we dont have that roster. And with a new OC things are getting tougher, you lose the progress you can make in year 2.
I think we must look for the future. I dont have an issue if the team keeps Mayfield with a reasonable contract and 40 mil a year its a little much.
Go Bucs.
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:34 am
There you go Joe and BakerQueens is the Super Bowl not the point! He had a good season so what can he get the Bucs over the Superbowl hump no in my opinion! Dak had a good season lol (can’t believe I’d ever reference the cowgirls) what that get you a first or second round exit from the playoffs!
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:36 am
I like Baker, just so inconsistent. Tough call.
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:36 am
Penix Jr. is a decision the team can make if he falls to 26 or lower, IMO. With his injury history its not worth trading up and losing another high draft pick. Baker showed mobility when under duress can extend plays. Penix Jr. is not known for that. He is a pocket passer that will need an O-Line built to protect him. The Michigan defense affected his game and I believe NFL will also duplicate that.
If the Bucs draft him to sit on the bench for 2 or 3 years he will essentially be a 26 or 27 year old rookie with only one or two years left to decide on his fifth year option and beyond.
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:40 am
Kinda funny because Canales has basically the same guy in Carolina that he had with the Bucs.
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:23 am
Good point Jack, Canales has a short qb with flaws to work with but he does not have any WRs to throw to, no first round draft pick and a psychotic owner. Dave is getting the coin at Carolina but not much in the cupboard to work with. I bet his pressers will be entertaining, though as he will try and put a positive spin on everything even if the Panthers are boat raced week after week.
BTW, Shaun King should know what kind of QB cannot get the Bucs to the Super Bowl, dude just has to point at himself and the 6 points his team put up against the Rams in the ’99 playoffs.
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:39 am
If anyone knows about ‘not being the answer’, it’s Shaun King.
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:47 am
Burger Boy has spoken !
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:48 am
This is from the guy who couldn’t score more than 10 points. In the n f c championship game and couldn’t take us to the e
Super Bowl either
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:08 am
Edge or IOL
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:10 am
I say at number twenty six we might bump into Bo Nix looking up at us. Will Levis was available at that spot last year. We can find a quarterback at twenty six, trust me.
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:16 am
King also said Bucs wouldn’t win it all in 2020
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:19 am
Jordan Love choked at crunch time, how does THAT help prove his point?
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:22 am
Joe, I was wondering if we would receive any draft picks (for compensation) if we lose our top players in free agency??
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:26 am
Bucs have historically crashed and burned with 1st round rookie QB’s.
Many reasons why, including multiple head coaches and offensive coordinators which doesn’t bode well in QB development.
See where I’m going here?
We’re on our 3rd Offensive Coordinator / coaching staff in 4 years.
It’s the O line and the D line pass rush. Build that first.
Then Linebacker and running back/wide receiver.
Baker can be successful. It’s a team sport.
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:29 am
There is never a guaranteed “answer.” So many variables come into play. Injuries, execution, bad calls by the ref’s…. Et al…King has the credibility of a ham sandwich.
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:30 am
Thank you, Shaun! My former teammate (hs) highlights the point Ive been making all year. Sure, the playoff game was fun, but we’re now stuck. We’re not rebuilding and we’re not going for a SB. We’re somewhere in the middle.
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:31 am
You can’t win a Super Bowl with Baker but you can with JJ McCarthy or Michael Penix?
LOL.
We should trade for Mahomes. He’s a proven Super Bowl winner!
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:39 am
And I don’t think I’m going to get to eat a full order of my fries if I’m sitting next to Shaun “Burger” King.
He be hongry.
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:41 am
Bakers has been and always will be worth more money than Daniel Jones. Pay the little guy.
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:49 am
BS……you can win a SB with most any QB…….Trent Dilfer comes to mind….you just need a great team to play with them…
Keep Baker….change coaches…..draft an interior lineman & another TE & RB…
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:50 am
Shut up Burger King !
You thought Jamyth was the answer to the very last miserable interception
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:50 am
Build the trenches. Need a DE/OLB and G/C.
No Nix. He’ll be a career clipboard holder in the NFL.
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:53 am
Please no Penix. Baker has so much more potential.
Baker can lead us to a SB. He’s got that fire in him. We just need the right OC and personnel.
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:55 am
Still with this lie? Troll much?
The Bucs were a Baker INT away from tying the game.
If your guy is so good, just tell it like it is. Don’t spin it so he looks better.
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:03 am
That’s big talk coming from someone who’s work ethic and ability to lead teams to meaningful wins was publicly questioned on Jim Rome’s radio show by Warrick Dunn.
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:08 am
Mr. Inconsistent won’t get us there. Gotta put together more than two good games in a row all season. Hope the team gets it right I think we still have the talent if we get the right QB. Bakers just not good enough. Tough enough but he’s not a running back. Next………
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:10 am
We completely agree here. 1st round QBs are no guarantee, but more than half of all SB winning QBs were 1st round picks. I posted this stat a few weeks ago:
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:12 am
I wonder how many of these “richest, top heavy” QB’s in this year’s draft will be busts – I’d guess 1/2
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:14 am
It Baker is signed, they won’t pick a QB with their first pick unless a QB falls to
them in round 1. They Bucs have bigger needs to address in 2024 than drafting a backup qb.
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:16 am
No point in tying up money in Baker, draft Bo Nix and let him and Trask see if they can surprise us
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:18 am
I like Baker too, but get him out of the pocket so he can actually see and put him in shotgun more.
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:25 am
King’s so smart… yeah, draft Michael Penix who’s only four years younger than Baker, couldn’t come close to getting it done in his last game, and has two blown ACLs.
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:30 am
Reports out of Mobile is that Bo Nix arm talent is awful. Sounds like he is falling into the middle rounds of the draft.
I am confident the Bucs are either going to sign Baker to a 3- or 4-year contract or franchise him.
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:32 am
“He is not a QB that will carry the team on jis back and win games on his own.”
—
This is one of the dumbest memes in all of team sports.
There has never been such a QB EVER .
The GOAT played for 23 seasons and was the best qb for most of them. If the meme was correct Brady would have won more than 8 rings if it was just up to winning “on his own”
and who in the league right now besides Mahomes would you even tag after watching this season as such a player?
SO if the strategy is to get a QB that can win “on his own” then your chance of winning a SB in the next decade is slim and none . Meanwhile other teams will be winning super bowls without such a QB while you chase drafts for the unicorn.
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:33 am
““I don’t think I can win a Super Bowl with Baker,” said King, who won a championship with Tampa Bay”
—–
Ummm wasn’t he on the bench for that ring?
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:36 am
Evidently Mr King thinks the Ravens and Bills must need to move off Jackson and Allen too; they might win a game or two in the playoffs but just can’t make the bowl.
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:39 am
Shaun King … “Obviously the Kyle Trask pick, in hindsight, was a bad pick, especially because it was in the second round. You could have added a significant piece, and Trask hasn’t been able to beat out anyone.”
That’s a cheap shot by King. No way Trask was ever gonna beat out Tom Brady, and in retrospect it looks like Bowles had his mind made up on Mayfield from the very start. Bucs’ fans never got a chance to see how Kyle Trask could perform in a series of games (preseason & cleanup duty doesn’t count for much IMO).
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:40 am
I do believe the stat of Super Bowls being won by 1st round qb’s compared to other rounds is a legit stat. But I would be curious how many of them were drafted after the 20th pick.
Our pick seems more in the territory of Hall of Fame guard or DB
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:44 am
My gut feel is that Kyle Trask is a LOT better than media & fans give him credit for. Sitting him on the bench for 3 years has done a great disservice to his career far as I’m concerned. There are a LOT of teams out there that need a starting QB, and Kyle MIGHT have surprised everyone IF given a real opportunity. He never got that with the Bucs. Shame on us.
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:46 am
OK Joe, now I’m dumbfounded. No matter what I write, you block it and it disappears. If this is how you want to treat your readers, then so be it.
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:46 am
Duh of course he’s not the answer. We won it all twice, once with a hall of fame defense and once with a hall of fame quarterback. Clearly Todd Bowles wants to be a .500 ball club. The best option would to be to start over at quarterback and rebuild the roster which Mr .500 killed chances of that. We got one safety and two all pro d tackles, ya need more on defense to make for what baker lacks. Evans is getting old and Godwin is not a #1
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:47 am
Someone should remind Shaun “Burger” King that sorry azz Trent Dilfer won a Super Bowl.
February 2nd, 2024 at 9:13 am
One of the few times i agree with Shaun King. Baker is ok, even really good at tmes, but unless Tampa delivers a #1 Defense and dominant run game (see Dilfer and Ravens) then Baker will not lead Tampa to a Super Bowl. If they do resign him to a big contract I hope I’m wrong.
February 2nd, 2024 at 9:14 am
Thats just mean. Baker is my hero and can win Every Superbowl
February 2nd, 2024 at 9:35 am
There aren’t five QBs in the NFL that are appreciably better than Mayfield but sure, you’re going to find that miracle in the late first round or later in this year’s draft (insert eye roll here).
February 2nd, 2024 at 10:05 am
Why would Bucs be left with no QB? Did Trask already evaporate, or did he depart via sublimation?
Also, did King really win a championship, or is someone in denial over Emmanuel catch?!
February 2nd, 2024 at 10:20 am
I like the center from UConn and Sweat from Texas during the Senior Bowl practices please.
It’s better to build the rest of the team and get depth than give a big contract to one qb. King is right about the Giants’ situation. I thought the Giants would have to forfeit games due to lack of good depth once injuries struck them.
I find it funny that some clowned King for scoring 9 points in the most important game. Back then, they didn’t have all of the rules benefitting the offense and qbs. Back then, it was a great thing for safeties to knock folk’s helmets off with a crushing hit. No 5 yards you can’t touch the wideout afterwards. No flag for being German suplex. Horse collar tackled was normal. Shotgun nearly majority of the play call was frowned upon. Face mask penalty… lol… what’s that? There was more than enough reasons to understand that teams was barely score 21 points then. Anything more was rare.
Meanwhile, in this soft participation trophy, everyone is best friends, and fantasy football era, majority of the rules benefits the offense. This cte bubble league isn’t the same as back when King and many others played real men football.
Here where “the cult” played themselves. Explain the final Carolina Panthers game. Explain these games: September 25 Philly game, October 15 Lions, Falcons and Bills the following weeks, and not turning it up to another gear for the 9ers, Colts (lol), and the last Saints game.
One hand I consistently mentioned the lack of 3 or more tds games to win more games. But, the cult brings up meaningless stats like ranked top 15 in bs categories. As if the points don’t matter, but diss Shaun King for lack of TDs in the playoff.
This weaker era has nothing on King’s era of football. When we had Deshawn Gholston, is exactly when the old school football officially died. Yet, some want to invest a lot in a guy who put up 2 tds or less on average. It’s wiser to give him a prove it deal again before full term commitment. Or just move on. 2 tds is average in today’s game. I’m sure another veteran QB can average 2 tds a game. Not counting any turnovers at all. And not counting the lack of TDS after the defense got take aways for us to swing the momentum or outright destroy our opponent that game.
February 2nd, 2024 at 10:26 am
Shaun King.
The Bucs won their first Super Bowl with Brad Johnson at QB. Baker Mayfield is a H@!! of a lot better than Brad Johnson.
By the Way. The Bucs won both of their Super Bowls with an excruciatingly, painful defense – not their QB – Ask Rich Gannon and Patrick Mahomes. And Mahomes failed to throw a touchdown! And KC scored – what – 9 points. Yep
9 points.
February 2nd, 2024 at 10:38 am
Lazy Shaun Burger King was dragged by a Hall of Fame defense to the NFC title game. He wouldn’t know good quarterbacking if he saw Dan Marino in his prime. The only thing he’s right about is Kyle Trashk.
February 2nd, 2024 at 10:41 am
Did you guys happen to see who won the Pro Bowl Precision Passing competition? Beating CJ Stroud in the finals and most of the other “franchise qb’s” in the process?
Yes, on BAKER MAYFIELD. Why? Because when there isn’t a 300LB lineman in his face, he’s actually a very accurate passer. Maybe we should think about keeping the 300lb linemen out of his face. Using rollouts and play action will help, as will DRAFTING GOOD LINEMAN – we need at least two, probably three.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:44 am
Todd Bowles is the BIGGEST detriment to the Bucs ever even getting to a Super Bowl! So they have odds stacked against them…
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:46 am
King is the expert on being replaced for a guy who can win a Super Bowl, so he knows what he is talking about
February 2nd, 2024 at 12:25 pm
Who the hell is Shuan King other than an person with parents too stupid to spell Sean?
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:06 pm
Wow what a bunch of bottom dwellers any QB that can have a 158.3 passer rating in a away game especially in green bay.explain to me how the hell he is not capable of winning a SB.that is just dumb from a dumb old bad QB.how many real good QB every get to the SB anyway way to many to remember them all.baker just keeps do the rite things this week he just won the QB throw completion for the pro bowl – out did Mr wonderful cj Stroud for that honor I already forgot all the good things Baker did in his 1st year in TAMPA.
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:33 pm
“Because the Bucs were a timeout and a few plays away from the NFC title game…”
***
Okay, I guess that’s an improvement
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:59 pm
What does Shaun King know about winning SuperBowls.
Nothing
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:12 pm
Ha, Shaun King! What does he know, he wasn’t a very good quarterback!
Now, let me tell you what I think, as someone who’s never played the position…
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:15 pm
I’m beginning to think that the biggest troll on this site is JBF ! WTH else
would you even let Shaun King comment on this site ! Shaun King was one
of our worst QBS ! He sure didn’t win a Super Bowl ! BTW, all you Baker
Mayfield haters that throw out BS stats, with no research, Baker Mayfield
saved the Bucs from being the laughingstock of the league ! No. 9- passing,
No. 6-QBR ! Go Baker Bucs !
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:16 pm
Red86: The average of points scored per game in 2003 was 20.8; in 2023 it looks like 21.8. Hardly an epochal difference!
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:44 pm
Pretty much agree with everything except grouping Jordan Love with the rest of the HOFS. Baker could get us there with a running game and a defense. Win the SB? 50/50
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:34 pm
Legitimately like 25 other teams can say the same thing. Thing is, you dont have to be Mahomes to win a superbowl. You can be like the 49ers or Lions and build a very talented roster around the QB.
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:36 pm
Well u can’t win a super bowl with King as ur QB that I know!! But u can with Brad Johnson, Trent Dilfer, Nick Folds etc but not Baker? Ok
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:49 pm
This coming from Shaun King. The king of overrated. King, you couldn’t hit water if you fell out of a boat let alone an open receiver. If not Baker who is out there? Cousins, Bridgewater, Flaaco or the bust that plays for the Jets ?
I know , let’s draft someone like Michael Penix. He’ll be in the league about 1 year before getting hurt and never playing again. Give me a break you hater. You had your turn Shaun and sucked.
February 2nd, 2024 at 10:47 pm
Man he ain’t lieing everyone knows you ain’t winning a superbowl with Baker Mayfield esept his fan boys and some bucs fans who don’t know nothing about football. Baker Mayfield ain’t going to go from bust to franchise quarterback in a average season. Remember this was his best stats of his career lol 🤣🤣. And he also had 27 drop interseption where he threw the ball right to the defender not the defender making a good play . Next year it will be it’s a new offense and Todd Bowles fault when he sucks next season.
February 3rd, 2024 at 8:36 am
Baker won the Pro Bowl accuracy skills test against quarterbacks many of you on this comment line say are better. Shawn King says he is not knocking Baker. Bullshit that is exactly what you are doing, hater, and you are wrong. What good is bringing in a new QB, when Baker was not the weak link. The offensive line in particular the center, the secondary, and a run game that did not begin until the end of the season were. So how does a new QB help. That is why Shawn King is full if it. You are trying to make the guy who kept us in the season the problem because you don’t like that he is better than those you prop up. I am a huge Michigan fan and I live J.J. McCarthy but I would not give up Baker for him right now. Michael Penix is a decent QB but he will be another Tua, easily injured. That is the last thing you can say about a badass like Baker Mayfield. There is no tougher QB in the league. Letting him go would be a huge mistake.
February 3rd, 2024 at 8:45 am
Baker won the Pro Bowl Skills accuracy test making him better than the QB’s most of you say are better. Shawn King says he is not knocking Baker but that is exactly what he is doing. Baker was not the weak link. Our offensive line in particular the center the secondary and the run game that did not begin until the end of the season are. How does a new QB help this team? It doesn’t. It immediately sets us back..I love the Michigan Wolverines and JJMcCarthy but I would not give Baker up for him right now. And Penix is decent but will always be like Tua easily injured. Baker is the toughest QB in the league besides Mahomes period. He has earned his place and his money.
February 3rd, 2024 at 9:41 am
Becky. What about the Lions game he choked in a 2 minute drill to score a touchdown ? The bucs will never win a superbowl with Baker Mayfield he’s average at best. And who cares about a probowl competition when he’s not playing against a defense. The media loves Baker and they are really trying to get the bucs to resign him . Next year you guys will be blaming the new OC and Todd Bowles when Baker sucks again. It’s always excuses for Baker Mayfield our o line blocked good for him he’s a one read quarterback and when his first read ain’t there he panics and holds on the ball to long. Again this will be another mediocre season at best and that’s if our division is bad because if it’s not we will not make the playoffs. That’s why bucs fans are hoping this division is bad just to make the playoffs!!
February 4th, 2024 at 11:58 am
Continue building-out both lines (good depth at the positions needed), pick up a WR (in a deep receiver draft), get another running back, and use that 1st rounder on a DB – and we may just test ol’ Burgwr King’s theory.
I’m all-in on Baker Mayfield – as a Buckeye fan with a long memory – I’d suggest we all take note of the season we just had and get over our biases and enjoy a QB who has already shown you he can get it done.
Let’s GO!