Assessing Baker Mayfield's MVP candidacy after two subpar games

Heading into the 2025 season, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield had cemented himself as a top-10 quarterback over the last two seasons. Then he started a heck of a run to start the current season, with four come-from-behind wins and a stellar touchdown-to-interception ratio. He was playing so well, the idea of him being not just in the Most Valuable Player award race, but leading it, was one being embraced. 

Yet, the last two games have dropped Mayfield out of the contention for the award, at least for right now. In his first six games, Mayfield was completing 66 percent of his passes and averaging 256.5 yards per game while tossing 12 touchdowns and just one interception.

In his last two games, he's completing 58 percent of his passes and averaging just 190 yards per game with one touchdown and one interception.

One reason for his downtown is the injuries around him. Top receivers Mike Evans and Chris Goodwin are fighting to stay on the field with age and injury seemingly catching up to them. Tristan Wirfs has also missed considerable time, keeping things less predictable for the Buccaneers.

While key skill position players are out, arguably the biggest reason Mayfield has struggled as of late has to do with the amount of pressure he's under. Against the Detroit Lions he was sacked four times, tying a season-high from earlier in the year. Mayfield endured another three sacks against the Saints in Week 8. Prior to those two games, he had only been sacked 10 times in six games.

The circumstances have led to Mayfield needing to get the ball out quicker, and trying to get it to player with whom he has less of a rapport.

Fans of Mayfield shouldn't be too worried, however. He's faced two statistically dominant defenses in 2025, the Atlanta Falcons and Houston Texans, and excelled against both (382 yards, five TDS, zero interceptions in the two games combined). He also dominated the San Francisco 49ers, a banged-up team, but still a strong win. 

The loss to the Lions and the rough day against the Saints have hurt Mayfield's MVP standing. That said, the season isn't over.

Mayfield isn't out of the hunt yet. There's still half a season left and plenty of games to prove himself, with big matchups against New England, Buffalo, Los Angeles and Atlanta on the schedule. He'll have his shot to get back into the hunt.

If he wins most of those four games, looks good to great in all four and helps guide the Buccaneers to an NFC South championship, it'll be hard to deny him the award. For right now, however, he's looking up at players like Patrick Mahomes, Drake Maye, Josh Allen, and Johnathan Taylor (and maybe Matthew Stafford or Daniel Jones) in his race to win the most prestigious individual award in the NFL.