Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield just received the ultimate respect from his NFL peers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield earned recognition from his peers, coming in at No. 77 on the 2026 NFL Top 100 list.

It’s the second consecutive year he’s made the list, after coming in at No. 50 on last year’s ranking. 

Mayfield threw for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2025. He put the team on his back throughout the first half of the season, leading the Bucs to a 6-2 start that included four game-winning drives. 

While his individual performance, along with the team’s performance, notably declined in the second half of the season, it would be hard to justify Mayfield not landing a spot on the Top 100 for his performance last season. 

Baker Mayfield receives massive praise from fellow players in NFL Top 100

The way Mayfield’s peers around the league spoke about him in the NFL Top 100 unveiling makes it clear how much respect he has around the league.

“I grew up watching what he did. Just his swagger, his demeanor that he plays with, his personality — I really resonate with it,” said Saints quarterback Tyler Shough. “Being able to go play the Bucs each year, you’re gonna go out there and compete, and it kind of motivates you, obviously, being able to go against him, somebody you look up to.”

Mayfield also made a strong impression on some Texans defenders, whose unit notably finished No. 1 in the NFL in total defense last season. It’s an elite defense by all measures, and Mayfield was able to string together a game-winning drive against them in a 20-19 Bucs win in Week 2.

“I think he has one of the biggest hearts in this game,” said Texans pass rusher Will Anderson. “He just has that ‘Man, whatever it takes to win this game, I’m gonna do it and I’m gonna put the team on my back, man. And I have a ton of respect for him.”

Texans cornerback Derek Stingley added, “When the game’s on the line, like if he’s trying to get to the first down marker, he’ll leave his feet and dive and do anything it takes to make sure his team wins.”

Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without some words from left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who fans can expect to see unveiled even higher on the Top 100 list. 

“I think everyone thinks like ‘Josh Allen’s got a monster arm’, and I think Bake kind of sneaks in too. He can let it rip honestly,” said Wirfs.

While everyone praises Mayfield’s intangibles such as his moxie must-win mentality, it was refreshing to hear Wirfs remind the football world of Mayfield’s world class arm strength. 

He undoubtedly boasts one of the strongest arms in the NFL, with the ability to make any throw on the football field — and he can get some real velocity on those passes to boot. 

Mayfield’s elite arm strength somehow goes unnoticed compared to other quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, but he’s right there with them. 

It’s been an eventful offseason for Baker Mayfield. Between his ongoing contract negotiations, his upcoming appearance on Netflix’s Quarterback docuseries debuting next week, and  now a second straight selection to the NFL Top 100, the Buccaneers quarterback has remained one of the league’s biggest storylines this offseason.

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