Columnist names Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield as favorite for award

Well-known radio host and NFL columnist Adam Schein suggested in a piece published by the league's official website that Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield should be the favorite to win a significant award this season. 

"I'm an Associated Press awards voter, and the former No. 1 overall pick is my current leader for Comeback Player of the Year," Schein wrote about Mayfield. "After getting off to a hot start, the Buccaneers slumped at midseason, but Baker wouldn't let them die. Now Tampa's riding a three-game win streak, and Mayfield just became the first visiting quarterback to ever post a perfect passer rating at Lambeau Field."

Safety Damar Hamlin is widely viewed as the overwhelming favorite to earn Comeback Player of the Year honors after he made the Buffalo Bills' roster following the cardiac arrest he suffered during a game last January. As of Friday afternoon, oddschecker had Hamlin at -590 betting odds to win the award. That same outlet listed Mayfield as a +1400 underdog. 

While Hamlin mostly has been a non-factor as it pertains to on-the-field performances this season, Mayfield has the 7-7 Buccaneers atop the NFC South standings heading into the Christmas holiday. According to ESPN stats, Mayfield began Friday ranked 17th in the NFL among qualified signal-callers with a 54.8 adjusted QBR, ninth with a 94.7 passer rating and tied for eighth with 24 passing touchdowns. 

The 28-year-old signed a one-year contract with the Buccaneers this past offseason and may have found a long-term home with the franchise after the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers both discarded the first pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. 

"I didn't expect anything out of this team back in the preseason, and when the Bucs fell to 4-7 at the end of last month, I figured that was definitely a wrap," Schein continued. "Now Tampa's surging at the right time, with three winnable games (vs. Jacksonville, vs. New Orleans, at Carolina) to close out the regular season."

Mayfield and the Buccaneers next host the 8-6 Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday afternoon.