Ex-Bucs QB big on Bucs.
If former Bucs backup quarterback Dan Orlovsky was voting for NFL Most Valuable Player today for the 2025 season, he’d have two Bucs offensive players in his top five.
Joe must be living in some Twilight Zone episode. A BSPN employee thinks the Bucs have two of the very best players in the league? Will Orlovsky get suspended for such talk?
But that’s the dream season the Bucs are living in through the first five games. Orlovsky did a piece that wasn’t aired on “Last Take” where he broke down his five candidates to win NFL MVP.
There, he listed Bucs receiver Emeka Egbuka and Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield. And no, Orlovsky said, it’s not too early to talk MVP of the 2025 season in October.
At No. 5, Orlovsky listed Egbuka.
“For like two weeks, it was like, this guy is going to win Offensive Rookie of the Year,” Orlovsky began. “[But as an MVP candidate] he has been that impactful for his team.”
Then, Orlovsky unveiled his top pick to win the league MVP. That would be Mayfield.
“No. 1, Baker Mayfield, this is the easiest decision so far this season,” Orlovsky said. “[The Bucs are] 4-1. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin haven’t played one snap together this year.
“They’ve had four different offensive lines, and they have been trailing in the final minute of the fourth quarter in every game, and yet they have still won four.
“When it comes to value. Baker Mayfield, number one in the NFL so far.”
It’s hard to argue against Mayfield. But Egbuka, a rookie wide receiver? A wide receiver has never been voted MVP. Not even the great Jerry Rice.
And for a rookie to actually be talked about with a sober mind as league MVP? That shows you how well Egbuka is balling.
.@danorlovsky7's top five NFL MVP candidates ✍️ pic.twitter.com/rZm4wweYVR
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 9, 2025