Tampa Bay Buccaneers Baker Mayfield continues to spark debate across the NFL.
Some believe he’s an upper-echelon quarterback, while others believe he’s a mediocre player incapable of leading a team to Super Bowl contention.
We just got our clearest look yet at how the NFL views Mayfield entering the 2026 season. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler released his annual top-10 quarterback rankings, voted on by execs, coaches, and scouts from around the league.
On this year’s list, Mayfield was denied a spot in the top 10, earning only an honorable mention.
Baker Mayfield just misses the NFL’s top 10 quarterback rankings
Just a year removed from ranking as the NFL’s 10th-best quarterback on this very list, Baker Mayfield has slipped out of the top 10.
He was listed as an honorable mention, finishing 15th overall.
"He's a winner. [He] can make every throw. Fearless. Teammates seem to love to play for him."NFL coordinator via ESPN's Jeremy Fowler
It’s hard to find too much fault with the voters, as 2025 — particularly the second half of the season — was objectively the weakest stretch of football Mayfield has played in his Bucs tenure.
Mayfield threw for 3,693 yards and 26 while completing 63.2% of his passes last season — all three marks were his lowest since signing with Tampa Bay in 2023.
When he made the list in 2024, Mayfield was coming off the best season of his career statistically, forcing his name into some elite quarterback conversations.
A large part of his decline was due to injuries, both to Mayfield himself and to his supporting cast, but the NFL isn’t going to grade him on a curve for that.
Regardless, Mayfield has a great chance to bounce back in 2026 and reclaim his spot in the top 10 come next offseason.
He’s entering the new season with both himself and his offensive line fully healthy, and a stacked wide receiver room at his disposal.
Most importantly, he’ll get to work with Zac Robinson — a Sean McVay disciple reminiscent of Liam Coen that briefly coached Mayfield during his short stint with the Rams back in 2022.
The new-look Bucs offense should put Mayfield in position to play elite football again, like he did when he had a career year playing in a similar scheme in 2024.
Not only is he playing for his spot amongst the NFL’s elite quarterbacks, but he could also be playing for a new contract if Tampa Bay doesn’t sign him to an extension before his incoming deadline in just a few weeks.
Mayfield will have all the motivation he needs entering the 2026 season, with a chance to remind the NFL why he belongs to be mentioned among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks — and potentially secure his long-term future in Tampa Bay.
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