Baker Mayfield getting superstar shoutouts is a massive win for the Buccaneers
By Brad Smith
Since being drafted with the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft, Baker Mayfield has endured a up-and-down career. While Mayfield broke the all-time rookie passing touchdown record (at the time) in 2018 with 27 touchdowns, he only spent three more seasons in Cleveland before splitting time with Carolina and Los Angeles in 2022.
In the ensuing season, Mayfield proved he can still be an above-average starter in the NFL in his first season as a Buc. As Tampa Bay's QB1, Mayfield completed 64.3% of his passes for 4,044 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, ten interceptions, and a 94.6 passer rating, while being named as NFL's 2023 Most Improved Player of the Year and leading the Bucs to the NFC Divisional round.
This offseason, Mayfield was rewarded with a three-year, $105 million contract from Tampa Bay in free agency, keeping the quarterback a Buc through the 2027-2028 season. Even so, several media outlets have failed to recognize Mayfield as a top quarterback in the league, or even as an above-average quarterback, for that matter.
On Wednesday, Mayfield did get some respect in a major way from one of the league's top wide receivers.
Tyreek Hill shouting out Baker Mayfield is an endorsement of the entire Buccaneers organization
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill took to Instagram Live for a Q&A, where he was asked to name his top-five quarterbacks. Hill listed Patrick Mahomes, Tua Tagovailoa, Lamar Jackson, Dak Prescott, and Mayfield, a surprising answer to some.
Since entering the league in 2016, Hill has caught passes from either Mahomes or Tagovailoa, while Jackson is a two-time league MVP and the MVP from last season. Even Prescott makes some sense, as the Cowboys' quarterback has produced several MVP-level regular seasons, often ranking near the top of the league.
There's no doubt that it is a stretch to call Mayfield a top-five quarterback at the moment. Between Buffalo's Josh Allen, Cincinnati's Joe Burrow, San Fransisco's Brock Purdy, Los Angeles' Justin Herbert, and even New York's Aaron Rodgers, there are better and more proven options than Mayfield to take that fifth spot from an unbiased view.
Regardless, Mayfield ranked among league leaders in passing touchdowns (7th), passing yards (9th), completions (10th), and passer rating (12th), while also being one of two players to finish the year with 28+ passing touchdowns and ten-or-fewer interceptions. While Mayfield may not be a top-five quarterback, it's plausible to have the seven-year veteran as a top-ten or top-12 quarterback in the league.
Still, it is nice to see someone showing belief and support in Mayfield, especially one of the league’s top receivers. With his best supporting cast and offensive line to date, along with the debut of offensive coordinator Liam Coen, Mayfield is set up to jump into the upper-echelon of quarterbacks with a strong season in 2024.
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