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Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield 'Absolutely Play At MVP Level' In 2025

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jul 17, 2025 10:06 AM ET

There's no denying that Baker Mayfield seems to have finally found his NFL home with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after two superb seasons.

Mayfield has been transformed from a player deemed on his last legs back in 2023 to one who is now spearheading a team many think can go on a deep playoff run in 2025.

But not only that, there are some who think that after Mayfield's 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdowns last season,more is in store for the former No. 1 overall pick.

NFL.com's Eric Edholm, in naming an MVP candidate for each team, lands on Baker for Tampa Bay.

"Mayfield finished just 11th in MVP voting last season, likely held back by his NFL-worst 16 INTs," Edholm writes. But last season was also Mayfield at his most dangerous, establishing career bests in completion percentage (71.4), pass yards (4,500) and TD passes (41). Adding first-round WR Emeka Egbuka to the mix can't hurt.

"The Bucs are a dangerous team in a transitional division, and Mayfield absolutely can play at an MVP level in his age-30 season provided the Wirfs loss doesn't cut too deeply."

Mayfield has everything needed to make a serious run at it.

A stout and good offensive line, a star running back, a top run game, plus a handful of receivers that include Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. That'll do nicely.

But when it comes to the MVP award, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow are always going to be in the conversation, so Mayfield is going against arguably the best quartet of quarterbacks in football.

Can he have a better season than those mentioned above? That, my friends, is a tall order, but that doesn't mean it's unobtainable.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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