Baker Mayfield’s Unlikely Rise to the MVP Conversation
Baker Mayfield, once a first-round draft pick and now a player who has bounced between teams, is making headlines as a potential NFL MVP. The 30-year-old Heisman Trophy winner, known for his journey from the Cleveland Browns to the Carolina Panthers and eventually the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has found himself in an unexpected position: leading the league in MVP discussions.
Mayfield’s recent performance against the San Francisco 49ers was nothing short of impressive. In a 30-19 victory, he led the Buccaneers to a win that saw fans at Raymond James Stadium chanting “MVP” for the quarterback. His performance included 17 completions out of 23 attempts, totaling 256 yards and two touchdowns. Despite the absence of key players such as receivers Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Emeka Egbuka, along with starting running back Bucky Irving, Mayfield still managed to shine.
The praise for Mayfield came not only from fans but also from former quarterbacks. Tony Romo, a former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, remarked on CBS that if he were in the crowd, he would be chanting “MVP” too. Similarly, Matt Ryan, a retired Atlanta Falcons quarterback, told his co-hosts on CBS that Mayfield is currently the frontrunner for the MVP award. He highlighted the impact of other players being sidelined and how Mayfield has performed under these circumstances.
Mayfield’s season has been marked by resilience. He has secured five comeback wins this year, with four of them coming down to the final minute of play. His stats are impressive: he ranks among the league leaders in passing yards (1,283) and touchdown passes (10), while only throwing one interception.
Despite this success, Mayfield’s career has had its share of challenges. After being traded by the Browns to the Panthers in 2022, he was released when the team struggled with a 1-5 record. He later signed with the Los Angeles Rams, playing a backup role before joining the Buccaneers in 2023, where he replaced the retired Tom Brady.
A New Chapter for Mayfield
The current state of the Browns and Panthers highlights the struggles both teams have faced in finding a reliable quarterback. While the Browns remain at 1-5, the Panthers have also struggled, with a 3-3 record. However, Bryce Young had a solid three-touchdown performance in a recent game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Mayfield’s journey has been anything but straightforward. From being a first overall pick to being waived and then finding a new home with the Buccaneers, his story is one of perseverance and determination. With each game, he continues to prove that he can be a leader and a key player for his team.
Future Prospects
As the season progresses, many are wondering if Mayfield can maintain his momentum. His performance in Week 4 was particularly notable, raising questions about whether he can lead the Buccaneers past the Falcons in an upcoming NFC clash. Additionally, there are concerns about the Buccaneers’ quarterback situation, especially with Teddy Bridgewater’s return and the challenges Mayfield faces with injuries.
With every game, Mayfield is building a case for himself as a top-tier quarterback. Whether he can sustain this level of performance and ultimately secure the MVP title remains to be seen. For now, however, the chants of “MVP” from the fans suggest that he is on the right path.