Buccaneers Quarterback Baker Mayfield Should Be In The Top-Five Conversation

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed quarterback Baker Mayfield before the 2023 NFL season, many considered him to be just a bridge QB. It was his fourth team in three seasons, and he looked well on his way to being a journeyman. He has since put together two very impressive seasons, solidifying himself as not just the Bucs’ starting QB, but a franchise QB. Baker should now be considered in the top five NFL quarterback conversation.

Mayfield’s Production Speaks For Itself

Mayfield is coming off his best season, by far. He threw for 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns, and led Tampa Bay to their fourth straight NFC South division title (second with him). This proves that his first season with the Buccaneers, in which he threw for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns, was not just a fluke. Mayfield was also the only QB who finished in the top three in completion percentage, passing yards, and passing touchdowns in the 2024 season. There is no reason to believe that he will not be able to replicate this level of play in the upcoming season.

The Growth In Leadership

Mayfield has grown not only in terms of his on-field performance, but also as a leader and mentor. During his college days, and early on during his tenure as a Cleveland Brown, Baker was regarded as someone who was arrogant, brash, and immature. There was the infamous post-game press conference in which he stormed out after being displeased by the line of questioning after a 27-13 loss to the Patriots. He has now dispelled the negative narrative and become one of the locker room leaders.

There have been many examples of this leadership recently. Shortly after the NFL Draft first-round pick, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka arrived in Tampa Bay, Baker treated him and his family to brunch. “He immediately asked me for Emeka’s number, and he said, ‘When is he getting in?'”, stated Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht. The following morning, Baker and his wife picked up Emeka and his family and took them all out for brunch.

Second-year starting center Graham Barton has also spoken highly of Baker. He mentioned not only his leadership, but also his patience as Barton transitioned from being mostly a tackle in college to a full-time NFL center. “Baker’s big thing with me coming in was he knew how much my head was spinning trying to learn the entire offense and learn the position and learn all that stuff at once,” said Barton. He added, “He never brought me down. It was always about just giving me confidence.” Mayfield’s leadership played a pivotal role in developing the young center.

The Supporting Cast

Now, of course, Baker could not have reached the level he is currently at without having the right pieces around him. Six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans continued to be Mr. Consistency with his 11th straight season of at least 1,000 receiving yards. Even after losing Chris Godwin for the season in Week Seven due to an ankle injury, the Buccaneers’ offense continued to roll. Tight end Cade Otton thrived and essentially became the team’s No. 2 receiver as he posted a career-high 600 yards and four touchdown receptions.

In addition to having a top-three passing attack in terms of yardage, the Buccaneers also had a top-five rushing attack. Standout rookie running back Bucky Irving led the way in the backfield with over 1,100 rushing yards at nearly 5 1/2 yards per carry. With the passing and rushing games being as successful as they were, much credit must also be given to the dominant offensive line led by All-Pro Tristin Wirfs. They finished fourth in pressure rates, and the team set the single-season record for rushing yards and yards per carry.

Lastly, the Buccaneers are bringing back all 11 offensive starters from 2024 and picked up even more firepower in the draft with the aforementioned Egbuka. So, even if Godwin is not at 100 percent to begin the season as he recovers from injury, this offense should still have plenty of pieces to help them remain near the top of the NFC and the entire NFL.

End Of My Baker Mayfield Rant

With his development as a player and leader, and his supporting cast, Baker Mayfield should have the Buccaneers on their way to winning yet another NFC South crown at the very least. There are numerous questions surrounding the rest of the division, all of which include the QB position. If Baker can pick up where he left off last season and lead the Buccaneers on a more significant playoff run, the conversations regarding the QB hierarchy may need revisiting.