Baker Mayfield just sent the NFL a strong warning about the Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars wanted their starters to get some work done in the joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the preseason finale. They accomplished their goal.

Trevor Lawrence connected with wide receivers Parker Washington and Brian Thomas Jr. for huge gains, while the Jacksonville defense managed to force three turnovers, including two interceptions.

In fact, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was so stunned that he called the whole thing eye-opening. Along the way, he revealed what the NFL should expect from the Jags next season.

Baker Mayfield says the Buccaneers would've lost to the Jaguars in a full game

Baker Mayfield met with reporters in the aftermath of the Tampa Bay joint practice. He heaped praise on the Jaguars, noting that he doesn't think the Buccaneers would have won if it had been a full game. Below's the skinny.

"I thought they gave us some good looks. They were playing with their hair on fire," Mayfield told the press. "Say that this was a full game, I don't think we would have came out on the winning side of it. So just a little eye-opening. Got to get back and watch the tape. It's never as good or as bad as you think it is. But I think from my standpoint, they may've out-physicaled us, and that's never what you want to have.

Mayfield continued, "So it doesn't matter who we have out there. You want guys that are gonna do their very best to be the more physical team and want it more. And I don't know if we did that today. So the tape will tell. But yeah, two-minute work was decent. Obviously, lightning kind of cut it short. But yeah, at that point in practice, guys, we got to get in-game shape. Guys were kind of huffing and puffing a little bit. It's hot. I get it. But yeah, we needed it."

Michael DiRocco of ESPN reported that Jacksonville picked off Mayfield twice (although one was overturned) and registered six passes defensed. On top of that, linebacker Foyesade Oluokun forced a fumble.

If that wasn't enough, Josh Hines-Allen routinely got the best of right tackle Luke Goedeke. In just one period, the two-time Pro Bowl defensive end registered three sacks.

You may also like: 5 biggest winners from the joint practice with the Bucs

The Jaguars showed the Buccaneers that they're in midseason form

Of course, it was a joint practice, but the Jaguars aren't taking it lightly. They knew that they must put in the work throughout the offseason if they want to have success in the regular season.

It's also worth noting that Bill Barnwell of ESPN recently predicted the Jags to take a step back next season, arguing that they won't be able to create as many takeaways as they did last year. The joint practice against the Buccaneers is proving that turnovers won't be an issue for the defense. Similarly, Trevor Lawrence is picking up where he left off last year.

Baker Mayfield just got a taste of just how dominant the Jaguars can be in 2026. It's up to them to keep the foot on the gas pedal. If they do, they'll accomplish big things.

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