Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield may be carrying his team on his back more so than any other signal-caller in the NFC. The Bucs could secure another home playoff game in Week 18, and Mayfield's right arm is the biggest reason they find themselves in such a predicament.
Mayfield's stats are jaw-dropping this season, as he is leading the NFC in passing touchdowns just two seasons after the Carolina Panthers seemingly left him for dead and he signed a prove-it deal. That's worth a Pro Bowl nomination for the recently extended QB, right? Wrong!
Mayfield was not named as one of the three Pro Bowl quarterbacks in the NFC, missing out on the honor in favor of Detroit's Jared Goff (understandable), Minnesota's Sam Darnold (not unreasonable, but Mayfield as an equally compelling case), and Washington's Jayden Daniels (whom Mayfield has much better stats than).
Mayfield was named a first alternate at the quarterback spot, meaning that he could end up at the Pro Bowl if one of those quarterbacks either makes it to the Super Bowl or simply declines the invitation. That may end up happening, but the fact he needs to wait to go in on a technicality is tough.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield unjustly excluded from NFC Pro Bowl
Mayfield is tied for second in the NFL in touchdown passes with 39, as he is right alongside MVP frontrunner Lamar Jackson and trails only dark horse Joe Burrow. Apparently, the voters don't value leading the NFC in touchdowns with rookie Jalen McMillan as one of your top targets.
Pro Bowl voting is a popularity contest to a degree, but it appears as though Mayfield's record may have come back to bite him. Both Goff and Darnold are leading 14-win teams. Daniels has already taken his team from four wins to 11 in his rookie season, sealing a playoff birth for Washington.
Not only has Mayfield thrived under a defensive head coach in Todd Bowles while both of his top targets missed a good chunk of time due to injuries, but he's done so in his first year in a brand new offensive scheme. Mayfield and Liam Coen have made magic happen together.
Mayfield fans are yearning for the day when the respect he gets mirrors the sublime production he puts up every single week. Mayfield is easily one of the best quarterbacks in the NFC, irrespective of what any parade of voters has to say about it.