Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield divides opinion among the NFL fraternity, with some waiting for the big drop-off, while others think he will continue on his current trajectory.
With the Buccaneers again the favorites for the division, and having one of the most explosive offenses in football after an offseason that saw Emeka Egbuka be added to the weapons list, Tampa Bay has all the tools to be one of the best offenses with Mayfield leading it.
But when it comes to Baker, NFL.com's Bucky Brooks has listed all his long shots for major NFL awards, and when it comes to the MVP, his pick is Baker.
"If Mayfield matches his 2024 numbers (71.4% completion rate, 4,500 passing yards with 41 touchdowns) and the Buccaneers win the NFC South for the fifth year in a row, I won’t be surprised if the former No. 1 overall pick rises to the top of the MVP conversation," Brooks wrote.
Baker Mayfield (6) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up before an NFL football wild card playoff game against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 12 in Tampa, Florida.
Baker Mayfield (6) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up before an NFL football wild card playoff game against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 12 in Tampa, Florida.
(Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Yeah, we can see it.
An offense that has Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Egbuka, and Cade Otton along with Bucky Irving and Rachaard White as pass-catching backs, and an offensive line that has all five starters returning, Baker is set up for success.
How much success, though? We aren't sure.
But to generate MVP buzz, he would have to at least match his numbers from last season, and have a better record, and not go through the slump he went through either (injuries played a big role in it).
Yes, it's a long shot, but Mayfield has all the tools needed to thrust himself into the conversation.