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Baker Mayfield did not need a scoreboard to know the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a problem. Tuesday’s joint practice against the Jacksonville Jaguars exposed something the Buccaneers quarterback could not ignore. The Bucs understood the system, knew their assignments, and had the checks down; however, when the pads started telling the story, the Jaguars brought more juice. That is what made Mayfield’s assessment so blunt; he believes that Tampa Bay would have lost if the practice had been a real game. Baker Mayfield Calls Out Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Physicality After Jaguars Practice Mayfield did not try to dress up what happened when he spoke to reporters. The Jaguars played with more urgency, and the Bucs struggled to match it. For a team heading toward the regular season, that is the kind of warning sign that demands an immediate response. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield says if today’s practice with the Jags was a full game, he doesn’t think they would’ve come out on top. He called today “eye-opening” and said he thought they were “out-physicaled,” which you never want. pic.twitter.com/xZhxdogVzj — PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) August 25, 2026 The quarterback essentially said the Bucs were out-physicaled, something that should never happen to a team trying to establish its identity. He also acknowledged that the Jaguars appeared to be playing with significantly more energy and aggression throughout the session. The concerning part is that Mayfield does not believe the issue is a lack of understanding. The Bucs have made progress with their offensive system under new coordinator Zac Robinson. The terminology is becoming second nature, the checks are familiar, and players understand what they are supposed to accomplish. Now comes the harder part: executing it when another team is trying to knock them off their spot. Mayfield’s assessment was essentially that the mental work is largely done; however, the physical standard was missing on Tuesday. That distinction matters because joint practices are supposed to reveal exactly where a team stands before the games start counting. And Mayfield was not the only veteran sounding the alarm. Chris Godwin also acknowledged that the offense went through a lull and demanded a sharper response heading into Wednesday’s session, and when two of the Bucs’ most important leaders are publicly challenging the team’s intensity, it is difficult to dismiss the practice as just another August workout. There was at least one bright spot. Rookie receiver Ted Hurst reportedly delivered one of his strongest practices of camp, including an early touchdown and several impressive plays. His continued development could become particularly important for a receiving corps adjusting to life without Mike Evans. Except that Hurst’s emergence cannot cover up what Mayfield saw. The Bucs have bigger ambitions than simply looking comfortable in a new offense. They need to be able to impose themselves physically, especially when opponents refuse to let them dictate the tempo. And with Mayfield entering a contract year, his leadership carries even more weight. He was not protecting the locker room with a convenient answer but was challenging it.