Eamon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Is Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield A Top 10 QB?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jul 18, 2025 9:56 AM ET

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is enjoying the best football of his career since moving to the NFC South.

He was on the scrap heap, and forced his way into the Buccaneers' starting role and hasn't looked back. Coming off a career year in 2024, when Mayfield threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns, some are still waiting for the regression they predicted a year ago.

Such has been Mayfield's form, and the current construction of the Buccaneers roster, ESPN's Mike Tannenbaum has the Bucs in the thick of the NFC race, while also having some glowing words for Baker.

"I put them right up there with Detroit, Philly, Washington, and the Rams, Tannenbaum said on First Take . "If we just look at how Baker Mayfield has played in Tampa, there's a reason Liam Coen is a head coach. Baker Mayfield has worked his way back into the top 10 conversation."

There is no denying that Tampa Bay in 2025 isn't on the outside looking in at the big boy table; it has itself a seat.

With an offense that is considered to be one of the best in football, along with an improved defense, the Buccaneers should be winning the division and making it to the playoffs for the third straight year under Mayfield.

Exactly what his numbers will look like, we can roughly guess, but those don't matter. What is going on is a deep playoff run. The goal posts for success in 2025 have moved for the Buccaneers, and the expectations have been raised.

It's a deep playoff run or nothing, and that is part and parcel of having a well-rounded roster and a top 10 quarterback leading it.

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

More must-reads: