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With Jalen McMillan, Bucky Irving, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin all sidelined, Baker Mayfield and offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard were left with a thin offensive lineup. Still, despite the glaring need for help, the team made no moves at the trade deadline to strengthen the offense. Quarterback Baker Mayfield addressed the team’s lack of moves, offering insight into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ long-standing approach under general manager Jason Licht. Per Pewter Report, Mayfield said that he didn’t expect the Buccaneers to make any trades, citing the consistent philosophy of Licht to value chemistry and continuity over splashy acquisitions. However, the quarterback also sarcastically mentioned two names as trade expectations, who he thinks can be a good fit for the team if brought back from retirement. “That’s how Jason’s done things, that’s how it is, so, you don’t expect anything,” Mayfield said. “We’ve said we felt really good about the team that we have from the beginning. You always run the risk of bringing in somebody that might throw off the culture a little bit, unless you bring Randy Moss or Calvin Johnson out of retirement. I don’t think we had any other options.” When Mayfield mentioned the names of Hall of Fame Randy Moss and Calvin Johnson, it was clearly a way to press home that no available player realistically could raise Tampa’s offense beyond them. In other words, the bottom line was a pretty clear one: unless a generational receiver suddenly became available, there was little point in forcing a deal. History favors Mayfield’s point of view, as Licht has rarely, if ever, made serious in-season trades, instead relying on homegrown development and continuity in the locker room. Even when the Buccaneers won their Super Bowl in 2020, most of the key additions included Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski coming in the offseason. This season, Tampa Bay’s front office opted to stay that course. With running back Bucky Irving and wide receiver Chris Godwin approaching returns to the lineup, the team felt internal reinforcements would provide more value than an external addition that might disrupt chemistry. As Mayfield hinted, adding the wrong personality midseason can unsettle a team culture built piece by piece over time. For head coach Todd Bowles, the hope is that patience will soon pay off. Though several key offensive players, including Jalen McMillan, Bucky Irving, Mike Evans, and Godwin, are currently sidelined, Bowles did provide a cautiously optimistic update on each of their recovery processes. Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports ”Where they’re at and if there’s a possibility of their practices to go,” Bowles said. ”They come along, obviously they get the treatment, and they train, and they do a lot of stuff in the morning. So when they’re capable of going back out there and doing more, we’ll have them do more. It’s possible. We’ll see what tomorrow brings” According to the reporter Rick Stroud, the team was inactive because of their desire to hold on to their draft picks. At 6-2, the Buccaneers earned the benefit of the doubt. Rather than risk the stability that’s powered their strong start, Tampa Bay doubled down on its belief in internal growth and veteran leadership. For Mayfield, that decision reflects not hesitation, but conviction. In a season where many contenders gambled on major trades, the Buccaneers chose to bet on themselves. Bucs Back Themselves Despite Baker Mayfield’s ‘Loser’ Tag Every year, there’s rampant speculation that Jason Licht and the Buccaneers make some type of big splash before the NFL trade deadline. And every year, that same story plays out: Tampa Bay stands pat. Bleacher Report labeled Mayfield the “Biggest Loser” of the trade deadline after this year’s November 4 passed without a deal, noting the quarterback is working with a depleted supporting cast. According to Bleacher Report, “While the Bucs may like their current group of receivers, that doesn’t mean the receiving corps is as good as it could be. Adding a legitimate Pro Bowl talent to help replace (Mike) Evans would have been a massive boon for quarterback Baker Mayfield.” The Bucs are going through a lot of injuries, which is affecting their locker room. It’s no surprise Mayfield’s production has dipped slightly in recent weeks. But despite those setbacks, Mayfield has been able to keep the offense together. In Tampa Bay, there’s a belief that they can win with their current roster, and they want to stick to it. As the Buccaneers prepare for a Week 10 showdown against the New England Patriots, they have a huge chance to prove their point.
