Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David has always been respected for his honesty, leadership, and perspective inside one of the league’s most resilient locker rooms. But even longtime observers were caught off guard when the franchise icon pulled back the curtain on just how battered quarterback Baker Mayfield was throughout the 2025 season.
Lavonte David Details the Grueling Injuries Baker Mayfield Fought Through
During a recent sit-down on “The Arena: Gridiron,” David detailed the physical toll Mayfield endured while still managing to start every game and keep Tampa Bay competitive in a turbulent year.
“Man, Baker was going through a lot, bro,” David said. “Baker had a lot of injuries that you did not expect a quarterback to play through. You know what I am saying? He had the oblique injury, he had the shoulder injury, he had a lot of things. You know, ankle injury, knee injury… He was really trying to push through and really trying to be the player that we needed him to be.”
David’s revelation adds new context to Mayfield’s statistical dip in 2025. After posting an impressive PFSN QB Impact score of 85.0 in 2024, ranking seventh among quarterbacks, his number fell sharply to 73.6 last season, placing him 24th. The decline was noticeable, but David’s comments suggest the performance drop was far more tied to injuries than to decision-making or regression.
Mayfield’s toughness has never been in question. He has played through injuries at every stop of his career, often insisting on staying on the field even when backups were available. Still, the list David rattled off paints a picture of a quarterback absorbing punishment at nearly every level of his body while continuing to operate the offense.
Tampa Bay’s season reflected that grind. The Buccaneers battled inconsistency, struggled to maintain rhythm, and leaned heavily on their weak division to stay afloat in the NFC playoff race. Mayfield’s mobility was visibly limited at times, and his accuracy fluctuated as the year wore on. Even with the challenges, he remained the team’s emotional anchor, earning praise from coaches and teammates for refusing to shut things down.
As the Buccaneers look ahead to 2026, they hope a healthier Mayfield can return closer to his 2024 form. However, the offense will look different around him after longtime star wide receiver Mike Evans departed for the San Francisco 49ers this offseason, leaving Tampa Bay to build around youngsters Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan, along with veteran Chris Godwin.
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David’s candid insight only reinforces that last season’s struggles were not a reflection of Mayfield’s ability, but rather the extraordinary physical burden he carried to stay on the field.
With a healthier quarterback and a retooled supporting cast, the Buccaneers believe they can turn the page on a grueling 2025 campaign and position themselves for a resurgence in the NFC race.
