Ranking Buccaneers Quarterback Baker Mayfield

Recently there has been a lot of conversation about the quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Baker Mayfield is going into the final year of his contract and he describes the two sides as “not close” in negotiations. This has led to debate as to how much is a fair deal for Mayfield.

Of course this is all relevant to how good you believe he is. Where Mayfield ranks in the pecking order of quarterbacks across the league is roughly where he should land on the pay scale. Well, like most things these days, opinions vary and how good Mayfield is depends on who you ask.

But I want a more clear cut answer. Looking at the criteria of production, situation and how a player elevates or does not elevate those around them, I wanted to try and pin point where Mayfield ranks.

—

It’s time we come to a consensus as to how good Baker Mayfield actually is. I walk through my process of ranking the Buccaneers quarterback.

In terms of production, there have been very few better than Mayfield over the last three years. He ranks second in passing touchdowns and third in passing yards in that time. He also ranks third in passing attempts, he you would expect him to be towards the top of those categories based on how much he airs it out.

On this flip side, Mayfield also ranks second in terms of interceptions thrown. Again, he throws the ball more than most, so there are more opportunities to give the ball away. In terms of volume, both good and bad, Mayfield has stuffed the stat sheet.

We have seen that in terms of on the field eye test. There have been ups (like 2024 when Mayfield was excellent) and downs (like the second half of last season when Mayfield and the Bucs collapsed). Peaks and valleys have defined Mayfield’s career.

—

It’s also worth mentioning the situation that Mayfield has been in. In 2023, the former first overall pick was bouncing around the league and got a chance to compete against Kyle Trask in a quarterback competition. Replacing Tom Brady wasn’t an easy task, but Mayfield made the most of that opportunity.

He went on to have a good year under offensive coordinator Dave Canales, who went on to take the Carolina Panthers head coaching job. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as Canales was replaced by Liam Coen who proved to be an excellent offensive mind. Mayfield had a career year with 4,500 yards and over 40 passing touchdowns.

Again, Mayfield lost his offensive coordinator to a head coaching job and was forced to adjust to a new play caller. This time it was Josh Grizzard and things did not go as well. The Bucs missed the playoffs, Mayfield had his worst year in Tampa and Grizzard was fired.

—

The one consistent that Mayfield has had is excellent talent around him. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were certainly a big part of reviving Mayfield’s career. We have seen that success continue with the likes of Jalen McMillan and Emeka Egbuk as the dynamic receiver duo has faced injuries over the last two years.

Mayfield has also had a very good offensive line with the Bucs. Tristian Wirfs and Luke Goedeke are probably the best offensive tackle duo in the NFL. It’s not a stretch to call this group among the best offensive lines in the league.

It’s my opinion that all of these great players elevate Mayfield more than the other way around. However, when injuries have taken away some of the Buccaneers stars, Mayfield has elevated lesser players and made it work. Compared to guys like Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff or San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, I believe that Mayfield brings more to the table in terms of making his teammates better.

—

So where does that rank Mayfield overall in the world of quarterbacks?

I think there is a clear top five of Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow and Matthew Stafford. These guys are MVP type quarterbacks and the only one to not win one yet is Burrow who carried his team to the Super Bowl a few years ago. These five are a class of their own.

After that, there is an up and coming group of young quarterbacks. Guys like Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels and I’ll even put Justin Herbert in that mix. These are players who haven’t established themselves as elite yet, but they have looked very good and reason to believe that they will reach that tier down the line. I can’t say that about Mayfield. 

It’s at this point where I believe Mayfield enters the conversation. Good quarterbacks who I believe can lead their team to a championship. This tier would include guys like Dak Prescott, Trevor Lawrence, Sam Darnold, Jared Goff, Brock Purdy, Jordan Love and Jalen Hurts (who already has led his team to a championship).

—

So that lands him somewhere in the 8-15 range of quarterback. Where you slot him in that might depend on what you value. Some would put him below Goff (who has been more productive) and Hurts (who has been to two Super Bowls and won one). 

No matter how you slice it, Mayfield is fringe top 10 to middle of the pack in terms of quarterback play. I believe he’s good enough to lead the Bucs to a championship. This season I hope he proves me right on both accounts.