Through five weeks of the NFL season, it would be hard to find a more valuable player to his team than Baker Mayfield.
Yet, when asked about the budding NFL MVP talk swirling around him, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback gave the credit to those around.
Mayfield addressed the burgeoning MVP talk and deferred credit despite the fact the Bucs are 4-1 and atop the NFC South.
Mayfield is coming off another exceptional performance in Tampa Bay’s 38-35 win over the Seattle Seahawks, where he completed 88 percent of his passes and had nearly as many touchdown passes (2) as incompletions (4).
Mayfield and the Bucs will try to improve to 5-1 against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium at 4:25 p.m. ET.
Baker Mayfield Gives Credit To The Offense
Mayfield has an NFL-best four game-winning drives this year and has thoroughly scaled back his interceptions this year.
He led the NFL in picks in 2024 (16) yet has thrown only one through the first five weeks. Plus, he is fourth in the NFL in yards (1,283), tied for third in touchdowns (10) and is tied for second in the NFL in TD-to-interception rate (plus-9), behind only Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions.
Yet, Mayfield gave all credit to the people around him.
“Whatever is being said is a testament to the offense and the group that we have,” Mayfield said when asked of his MVP credentials. “Individual accolades and recognition, you never have it on your own.”
Despite his humility, Mayfield has a bona fide case as MVP through the first month, due mainly to the revolving door of players surrounding him.
Mayfield’s been the lone consistent piece of the Bucs offense, which has lost wideouts Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan and running back Bucky Irving at various points to injury. Plus, All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs missed the first three games.
So even though he is by far the Bucs MVP, Mayfield admitted he can’t throw the ball and catch the ball and block and run.
“This is the greatest team sport for a reason,” Mayfield said. “I’m always trying to remind myself of that and realize I can’t do it without the guys next to me.”
Baker Mayfield Stays True To Himself
Mayfield has acted like he is on a revenge tour all season. Yet his honesty has been genuine, which has been especially endearing the Bucs fans — particularly given how he has played.
Still, in spite of his weekly jawing with opponents — and even rival fans — Mayfield’s demeanor is a sign of growth.
“I try and not get too high and not get too low, which is something I was not doing earlier on in my career,” Mayfield said. “Early on my career, it was looked as cocky and immature. Now it’s moxie, he’s a dog. … You’ve just got to be yourself, and I’ve always been myself.”
Though the perception of him has changed, and he has matured, Mayfield is sure he hasn’t.
“At the core, definitely the same,” Mayfield said. “[I’ve] matured in different ways — not worried about little things that really don’t matter. Now, you put it into the landscape of a competitive football game, in that atmosphere, that’ll never change.”
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