Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Named 'Most Underrated Quarterback'

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has enjoyed a career resurgence that has perhaps saved his NFL life.

After a rough and inconsistent start to his NFL career, on the scrapheap at the end of 2022, Baker found the Buccaneers for the 2023 season...and as they say, the rest is history.

Two Pro Bowl nods, two division titles, a playoff win, and a career-best season in 2024 (4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns) have seen Baker save his NFL career.

And now, he's finally getting the plaudits he deserves.

In Pete Prisco's top 100 NFL players ahead of the 2025 season, after being unranked last year, Mayfield now jumps to No. 57.

"Mayfield had his best season in 2024 with 41 touchdown passes and 4,500 yards," Prisco writes. "He might be the most underrated quarterback in the league after the slow start to his career."

Is Baker underrated? There is some merit to that. But there is also merit to the fact that some are waiting for what they think will be the inevitable drop-off.

There haven't been any signs that a regression is coming from Mayfield, and as we look ahead to the 2025 season, he is surrounded by perhaps the most talented group he's ever been around.

A top run game, a receiver room that is dripping with talent, and the entire offensive line from last year is returning. Those are all key ingredients to having a successful season.

Of course, expectations are now higher, and a deep playoff run is needed, given the number of weapons at Baker's disposal.

And if he can lead this Buccaneers team to another playoff run, and play good football in the process, he might be higher on Prisco's list come next season.