There is zero doubt Baker Mayfield had a career year last season with 41 touchdowns and 4,500 yards passing with a league-leading 16 interceptions mixed in to his stunning 71.4 percent completion rate.
Mayfield was fantastic, and he even rushed for 378 yards, more than double his previous season high.
Now one could argue 2023 also was a career year for Mayfield, though it was on par with what he notched in 2020 with the Browns. And those Browns played in what was the NFL’s best division.
Regardless, it’s hard for Joe to imagine Mayfield improving in 2025 — because he set the bar so darn high.
Heralded NFL writer Dan Pompei, of [pay-per-view TheAthletic.com](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6345420/2025/05/12/nfl-draft-2025-outlook-every-team-offseason/?campaign=13503981&source=athletic_targeted_email&userId=621553), sees it differently.
“It isn’t difficult to envision a career year for Baker Mayfield, seeing he should benefit from a healthy Chris Godwin and rookie Emeka Egbuka,” Pompei wrote today. “The unknown with the Bucs is how much, if at all, they will miss offensive coordinator Liam Coen. They need Josh Grizzard to push the right buttons as Coen’s replacement.”
Ok. Hey, why not? Bring on another career year, Baker!
It is conceivable that Mayfield can cut his picks total in half and throw a few more touchdowns, but damn, last year was impressive.
Pompei went on to say the Bucs have improved — because of their defense.
“If the 2025 Bucs played the 2024 Bucs, the 2025 Bucs would win, assuming talent decided the game, ” he wrote. “The new Bucs are better equipped to affect quarterbacks because they have more pass rush and better coverage, thanks to additions such as Haason Reddick, David Walker, Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish.”