Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was playing hurt for virtually the entire 2025 season.
Mayfield took part in Netflix’s “Quarterback” series and admitted in it that he fought through a sprained MCL and PCL from Week 2 onward. He also had to battle through a biceps contusion that he said impacted his throwing velocity.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield, on the Netflix series Quarterbaxk, reveals he played with a sprained MCL and PCL since Week 2. He also had a bad biceps contusion that was bruised and affected his velocity. Then the left shoulder injury vs. Rams. Bonus for toughness but it affected his…
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) July 13, 2026
Mayfield also suffered a shoulder injury in Week 12, but that was already known.
In retrospect, the information makes Mayfield’s first half of the season look even more impressive. He was getting MVP buzz for a while, and had the Bucs out to a 5-1 start by mid-October. He tailed off a bit after that, and then really struggled after suffering the shoulder injury. He wound up throwing for 3,693 yards and 26 touchdowns on the year.
Mayfield is under contract for 2026, but his status beyond that is in question. Perhaps Tampa Bay wants to see him stay healthy for a full season before committing.
