Baker Mayfield is playing the best football of his career in 2025, leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to an NFC-leading 5-1 record, and national media pundits are taking notice. Among those giving Mayfield his flowers are three names that need no recognition to Bucs fans -- Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton.
Brees, who just a few weeks ago downplayed the Buccaneers as a team, has seemingly done a complete 180, heaping major praise not just on Mayfield, but on the team as a whole.
"I like the Bucs. I have the Bucs as number one too, and they've earned it. They find ways to win. Baker Mayfield is playing outstanding," said Brees on ESPN's First Take. "I love watching that defense, they're aggressive. They're going to light you up. They don't care because they know they've got one of the best QBs in the league right now, so they're going to find a way to win."
"It's the guts, it's the intensity, and then it's the ability to find guys down the field and make you pay for when your coverage is out of sorts," said Ryan on CBS Sports' NFL Today. "He's been outstanding, and right now, he's got to be the frontrunner for MVP in the league. With all the guys that are out, with the way he's playing, he is absolutely outstanding."
“I mean, what we’ve been able to see down in Tampa this year is nothing less than amazing. I mean, it’s been just a plum pleasing pleasure just to even witness it,” said Newton on ESPN's First Take.
Newton even anointed Mayfield with his own nickname. “The people call him Baker Mayfield, but I’m going to call him Baker Jon. Baker Jon is short for Baker Jontavious,” joked Newton. “The full display of electricity that Baker Jon has brought to the football field this year is something I can just sit back on Sundays and just marvel after.”
Seeing the trio of Brees, Ryan and Newton, who spent their careers dominating the NFC South and combined for a 45-29 regular season record against the Buccaneers, offer such major praise to Tampa Bay and specifically Mayfield is a sight to behold.
All three quarterbacks reached a Super Bowl, with Brees being the only one to win it, while Ryan and Newton each earned an MVP award of their own. For Mayfield, having that kind of endorsement from three accomplished quarterbacks who made a living tormenting the Bucs makes their praise all the more meaningful.
Since their retirements, the tables have turned. The Buccaneers now dominate the NFC South after spending years in the cellar of the division. Tampa Bay has won four straight division titles and is currently in the driver’s seat for a fifth, with Mayfield playing a major role in that success.