The debate over the league’s top quarterbacks can spark some of the meanest conversations. The most important position in the game of off-football is subject to many divided opinions and heated debates. That includes Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield, who Tampa Bay hopes to return next season.
Mayfield and the Bucks each have mutual views on reuniting. Their sentiments certainly don’t reflect those of this quarterback rankings list by film analyst Derrick Klassen. A member of the 33rd team. Klassen ranks Baker Mayfield as the league’s 20th best QB in a ranking of 32 players. That seems a little harsh.
Baker Mayfield’s rankings seem to be off.
Klassen says of him:
Bucks QB Baker Mayfield – Photo courtesy of USA Today
“Early jobs always need a mid-major gunslinger, and there’s only one guy who’s not afraid to break it and see what happens. Although Jameis Winston was the last man to hold that mantle, , Baker Mayfield now has a new commitment to his football life.
“Mayfield just played with more confidence this season.” There were signs of that when Mayfield took over with the Rams late last season, but he took it to another level with the Buccaneers. Mayfield tested tight windows, pushed the ball down the field, and stood strong in the pocket like never before. Not consistently, anyway.
“Mayfield is still incomplete. He’s less athletic than he thinks he is. Sometimes he sprays a few pitches, but he’s far from the most reliable decision-maker in the NFL. But , Mayfield is at least back to being a functional NFL starter. More importantly, it’s fun to watch him again.”
I understand that being away from film tells a different story than just field stats and team performance, but why did Mayfield end up so high in the wrong direction despite coming back from a career resurgence? It’s still hard to imagine how it’s ranked. The top five QBs are Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, and Matthew Stafford. There are certainly a lot of great players out there, but with names ranging from 6-year-olds to 20-years-old Mayfield, there are probably some positions that Mayfield should move up to.
Of the players listed higher than Baker Mayfield, there are about four players who could make a case that Mayfield should be ranked higher. Anthony Richardson is 16 years old, Kirk Cousins is 13 years old, Geno Smith is 12 years old, and Kyler Murray is one place up at 11 years old.
Bucks QB Baker Mayfield – Photo courtesy of USA Today
If there’s a common theme within the group, it’s that most of these players either had their seasons shortened due to injuries or were unable to take the field. It’s unfair to compare Baker Mayfield’s stats to those mentioned above, but Richardson, who has four career games under his belt, and Murray, who has played in 19 of the last 34 games, are unfair. Can you honestly look at a player like him? Can you say he’s better than Baker Mayfield after two seasons? It’s impossible to decipher Rodgers and his situation considering he’s been out all year and is on a new team with a new offense and coordinator.
Geno Smith is the only quarterback to have an incident, and Mayfield’s return has also been compared. Smith had more than 200 more passing yards and two more touchdowns in 2022 than Mayfield had in 2023, when each quarterback was a starter again, but a year later. Smith’s decline in passing yards and passing touchdowns may leave some questioning whether or not a drop-off is coming. We’ve all seen the best of him. There will be questions about whether last season was Mayfield’s best this year, but that question won’t be answered until he returns to Tampa.
Will Baker Mayfield get the last laugh?
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield at the Pro Bowl – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Baker Mayfield was robbed of the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, which went to Joe Flacco. Mayfield threw for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions, helping the Bucs win the NFC South.
Flacco had a great year with the Browns, but he appeared in only five games and was eliminated in the first round of the postseason. Mayfield accomplished that in all 17 regular seasons, advancing further into the postseason and advancing to the divisional round. He also won Offensive MVP in the Pro Bowl.
Baker Mayfield still has a chance to make a big payday and clear his name against everyone one last time. While the Bucks appear to be the frontrunners, there are other teams expected to be in Mayfield’s pursuit. If he returns to Tampa, the Bucks can maintain his continuity and look to move forward next year.
check out list Among all 32 quarterbacks ranked.
