No quarterback fresh off a season in which he threw 41 touchdown passes has had to deal with more disrespect and doubt than Tampa Bay Buccaneers leader Baker Mayfield. Despite his prestige as a former No. 1 pick, the murky end to his tenures in Cleveland and Carolina has many wondering if Tampa is in for a similar fate.
So far, there is nothing to show that Mayfield is in line for some sort of major dip in productivity. After the best year of his career, it appears as though the doubts about his ability are finally starting to be lifted.
ESPN's quarterback rankings, which take into account the opinions of executives and coaches around the league, have Mayfield slotted as the 10th-best quarterback in the NFL. Mayfield comes in ahead of names like Dak Prescott, Jordan Love, and CJ Stroud after his amazing 2024 season.
Mayfield is no longer a feel-good resurrection story. He is a proven, high-end starting quarterback capable of challenging for the league lead in several major categories. This ranking is encouraging, as the league is finally starting to come around to what Bucs fans have known for years.
ESPN ranks Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield as 10th-best in NFL
Mayfield disrespect comes in one of two primary flavors. The first is overrating his supporting cast. As good as Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Bucky Irving are, Mayfield himself has taken considerable strides in the right direction and evolved as a passer, no matter who is around him.
The other way is downplaying his statistical improvements as the product of a creative offensive coordinator. The league seems to think Mayfield has received the system quarterback boost in the past, as they have given his two Bucs offensive coordinators, Dave Canales (Panthers) and Liam Coen (Jaguars), head coaching jobs.
Mayfield is certainly benefiting from their offense, but it's impossible to claim that someone who just hit the rare 40-touchdown plateau is just a game manager piloting someone else's offense. That takes a level of talent, moxie, and leadership that doesn't just grow on trees across the NFL.
Mayfield haters, and the league in general, seem to be waiting for the other shoe to drop and the regression to come so they can let out a hearty "we told you so." At least the NFL is starting to wise up and properly rate Mayfield as one of the best in the game.