Another Vote For Baker Mayfield Over Brock Purdy
June 2nd, 2025
Joe always pays attention when one NFL analyst talks Bucs because he’s a former scout who worked in a similar world traveled by Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht.
Joe’s referring to popular 3 And Out podcast host John Middlekauff. He spent three-plus years as an Eagles scout early in the regime of legendary Philly general manager Howie Roseman.
Before Roseman got the GM gig, he was an Eagles front office guy the same time Licht was their VP of player personnel.
In fact, Roseman took Licht’s job when Licht bolted Philadelphia for Arizona.
Middlekauff was ranting recently about the take of ex-Bucs QB Chris Simms, who claimed 9 out of 10 NFL football people would choose Baker Mayfield over 49ers QB Brock Purdy.
“I thought [Baker] was awesome [last season]; he has a better arm than Brock,” Middlekauff said. “Now I would say Baker has matured; Brock’s maturity was elite from Day 1.”
That big arm, per Middlekauff, is why he agrees the majority of teams would prefer Mayfield as their starter over Purdy, who just inked a three-year contract extension for about $52 million annually. Mayfield is banking about one-third less per year.
Middlekauff didn’t seem to think the Mayfield-over-Purdy ratio was quite Simms’ declaration of 9-1, but he said Mayfield would be widely assessed as the better quarterback.