ESPN Names Buccaneers QB A Top-10 MVP Candidate

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Rewinding to the offseason, the narrative surrounding Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was filled with skepticism. Many questioned whether Mayfield could replicate his impressive Pro Bowl performance from 2023, sparking doubts about his ability to sustain such a high level of play.

Career Highs

In 2024, Baker Mayfield achieved a milestone season, setting career highs in key categories, including:

Passing yards: 4,500
Touchdowns: 41
Completion percentage: 71.4%
Yards per pass: 7.9
Passer rating: 106.8

This remarkable performance propelled the Buccaneers to an NFC South division title.

Although the Buccaneers ultimately fell to the Washington Commanders, Baker Mayfield delivered a standout performance, showcasing some of the finest play of his career. His impressive display served as a resounding rebuttal to the naysayers, silencing doubts and serving up a hearty helping of humble pie to those who had questioned his abilities.

Mayfield has cracked the top 10 in ESPN’s Seth Walder’s list of Top 100 NFL MVP Candidates, securing the 10th spot.

“Mayfield elevated his play in 2024,” Walder stated. “Despite a high 2.5% turnover rate, his EPA per play numbers (assigning the entirety of team performance to him on dropbacks and designed carries) were fifth best in the league. QBR ranked him 13th overall after adding further context such as garbage time, quality of defenses faced and percentage of yards that came from YAC, which benefited Mayfield more than most quarterbacks.”

Although the playoff defeat still stings, particularly given Baker Mayfield’s role in the two turnovers that ultimately sealed Tampa Bay’s fate, his remarkable career revival with the Buccaneers cannot be overstated.

Retaining offensive coordinator Liam Coen has become even more crucial for the Buccaneers, as he was the architect behind Baker Mayfield’s most impressive statistical season yet, making his continued presence vital to sustaining Mayfield’s success.

Among the numerous offseason decisions looming for the Buccaneers, one of the most critical may be finding a way to retain Liam Coen, ensuring the team can maximize its investment in Baker Mayfield and continue to reap the benefits of their productive partnership.

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