Story by
Can Baker Mayfield Still Throw? Answering 5 Questions Bucs Fans Are Asking Before the Bears
- Story by
- Can Baker Mayfield Still Throw? Answering 5 Questions Bucs Fans Are Asking Before the Bears
Bucs fans are enjoying a two-game winning streak, but the questions haven't gone away just because the wins came back. Baker Mayfield has thrown 14 passes over the last two weeks, and Tampa Bay heads to Soldier Field on Sunday night to face a 6-2 Bears team that just added Jeffery Simmons .
Here are answers to five things Bucs fans want to know before the trip to Chicago and the bye week that follows, starting with the quarterback.
Advertisement
Can Baker Mayfield still throw the ball?
Nov 1, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates at the end of the fourth quarter after defeating the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
Todd Bowles says yes. Mayfield went 7 of 11 for 64 yards in Charlotte in his first game back from a dislocated right thumb, then went 0 for 3 in the downpour against Atlanta. "I thought Baker had a great week of practice throwing the football, but we knew what the conditions were going to be," Bowles said Monday, per Bucs on SI .
The bigger worry is the season-long trend. Tampa Bay averages 131.4 net passing yards per game and 5.7 yards per attempt, both last in the NFL. Two weeks of handoffs is a small sample, but Chicago allows 8.2 yards per pass attempt, 30th in the league, so this is the week the Bucs should find out whether the thumb is ready.
Advertisement
Will Emeka Egbuka play against the Bears?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (9)Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
That's still to be determined. Egbuka has missed the last two games with a foot injury and was limited in practice last Thursday, according to the Week 9 injury report roundup . Wednesday's practice report will be the first real clue.
The Bucs need him. Egbuka still leads the team with 28 catches and two touchdown catches, and without him the top options have been Chris Godwin, Tez Johnson and Ted Hurst. We wrote before the Falcons game that the run-first plan gets another test without him, and it held up in the rain. Chicago's run defense is a tougher one.
Advertisement
How much does Jeffery Simmons change the Bears?
Nov 2, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) takes on Seattle Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) and offensive tackle Abraham Lucas (72) during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
A lot, based on one game. Chicago traded two first-round picks to Tennessee for Simmons, and in his debut Monday night, Seattle averaged 3.0 yards per play with him on the field and 13.3 in the eight plays he sat, per ESPN . He also had a sack in the 34-17 win.
That's a problem for an offense that ran on 92% of its plays against Atlanta. The Bucs lead the NFL with 168.6 rushing yards per game, and Chicago allows 86.8 per game, fourth in the league. Tristan Wirfs, Luke Goedeke and the interior line will have to account for a tackle who drew 101 double teams in seven games with the Titans.
Advertisement
Are the Bucs buyers at the trade deadline?
Oct 8, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) reacts after an interception against the Dallas Cowboys in the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
They should be. Tampa Bay is 3-5, a half game behind 3-4 Carolina in the NFC South, and has already beaten the Panthers and Falcons. The deadline follows Sunday's game on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 4 p.m. ET.
The need is clear. The Bucs lead the league with 16 takeaways but rank 20th with 16 sacks, and Yaya Diaby is out with a Grade 2 MCL sprain, according to the injury report. We made the case this morning that Jason Licht should buy the Bucs a pass rusher before the bye.
Advertisement
Can the Bucs beat the Bears in Chicago?
Nov 2, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) passes the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
It'll take the defense playing like it did against Atlanta. Chicago scores 26.8 points per game and gains 404.6 yards per game, second in the NFL, with D'Andre Swift (545 rushing yards) and Luther Burden III (547 receiving yards) leading the way. The Bears also hold opponents to a league-best 23.8% on third down.
There's an opening in the red zone. The Bears score on 73.5% of their red-zone trips, 31st in the league, and Tampa Bay's defense allows 18.9 points per game, fifth. If Alex Anzalone and the secondary keep forcing field goals and turnovers, the Bucs can steal one at Soldier Field and take a winning streak into the bye.
Advertisement
More on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This story was originally published by Athlon on Nov 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
