Overcoming adversity.
Need some ammo to win over arguments with Eagles or Steelers fans you have to work with that Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield is playing at an MVP level? Here you go.
Long-time NFL columnist Mike Sando of _The Athletic_ has concocted something called the “[Betrayal Index](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6720664/2025/10/16/dak-prescott-cowboys-nfl-betrayed-quarterbacks/).” It measures how much support from all three phases of the game, offense, defense and special teams, that quarterbacks get.
Or, in other words, how much a team has hung its quarterback out to dry.
In his breakdown, Sando has come to the determination that only Dak Prescott has been betrayed by poor play more than Mayfield.
And as Sando points out, Mayfield has still found a way to get the Bucs to a 5-1 record.
> As for other betrayed quarterbacks this season, Baker Mayfield deserves special mention for guiding Tampa Bay to a 5-1 record despite getting the 28th-worst support from the Buccaneers’ defense and (especially) special teams. Winning so frequently while ranking second on the Betrayal Index enhances Mayfield’s MVP credentials.
Mayfield has simply put the Bucs on his back. Now the name of this index is a bit harsh. Joe doesn’t think Mayfield has been betrayed (aside from poor special teams play) as much as the Bucs have been almost wiped out from injuries.
So Joe doesn’t think Mayfield is being betrayed so much as he has overcome adversity.
Just wait until this Bucs’ team gets healthy!