Killer Instinct: Why Baker Mayfield Thinks This Bucs Team Is Different

Killer Instinct: Why Baker Mayfield Thinks This Bucs Team Is Different

Author: Tampa Bay Times September 4, 2026 Duration: 37:44

Baker Mayfield opens up to Rick Stroud about why he shut down contract talks during Training Camp, and more importantly, why he believes this Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster finally has the "killer instinct" that's been missing. Rick and Steve break down how veteran additions like A'Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches have reset the locker room's attitude, why Baker — the ultimate underdog — is feeding off a roster full of players with chips on their shoulders, and whether that edge can actually fix a team that blew too many fourth-quarter leads a year ago.


The guys also preview a wide-open NFC South, break down why the Cincinnati Bengals are a brutal Week 1 test for a suspect Bucs secondary, and look ahead to next week's can't-miss interviews with Mayfield and Todd Bowles. Plus: Greg Schiano's stunning loss to UMass at Rutgers, Alex Golesh catching heat for trashing USF on his way out the door to Auburn, a loaded college football weekend, and the Rays' rough start to a road trip in Texas as the AL East race tightens down the stretch.


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For a daily dose of Tampa Bay sports talk that feels like a conversation with the most plugged-in friends you have, there's Sports Day Tampa Bay. This weekday podcast from the Tampa Bay Times is anchored by award-winning journalist Rick Stroud and co-host Steve Versnick, who bring a newsroom's rigor and a fan's passion to each episode. Instead of just rehashing scores, they dig into the nuances behind them-the strategy shaping the Buccaneers' defense, the roster decisions facing the Rays front office, or the playoff mentality driving the Lightning. The discussion naturally spans the full spectrum of local teams, including USF athletics, providing context that often gets lost in quick headlines. What you'll hear is analysis grounded in decades of institutional knowledge and reporting access, offering a perspective that turns the day's news into a deeper understanding of the games and the people who play them. Tune in each morning for this essential, insider-focused update that has become a routine for fans who want more than the highlight reel.
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