Baker Mayfield: The NFL’s Most Underrated Quarterback and a Secret Top-5 Quarterback

When you think of elite NFL quarterbacks, names like Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson usually dominate the headlines. But lurking just beneath the national spotlight is a quarterback who has quietly rebuilt his career, thrived through adversity, and now may be entering his prime: Baker Mayfield.

Once written off as a one-hit wonder or a locker-room distraction, Mayfield has proven not only that he belongs in the NFL, but that he may secretly be one of the top 5 quarterbacks in the league today.

Baker Mayfield 2024 Season Highlights

1. The Comeback: From Castoff to Franchise Leader in Tampa Bay

After a rocky end in Cleveland and short stints with the Panthers and Rams, many assumed Baker Mayfield’s days as a starting quarterback were over. But in 2023, he signed a low-risk deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and completely revitalized his image.

• Stat Line in 2023: 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a 94.6 passer rating.

• Playoff Win: Led the Bucs to a dominant Wild Card victory over the Eagles, throwing for 337 yards and 3 touchdowns.

• Leadership: Immediately earned the respect of the locker room, becoming the emotional and tactical leader of the Bucs.

Tampa’s offense was efficient, explosive, and surprisingly disciplined — and Mayfield was the engine behind it.

2. Efficiency, Not Flash: Elite Metrics Across the Board

While Mayfield may not dazzle with no-look throws or 80-yard bombs, his efficiency and decision-making have reached elite levels.

• Deep Ball Accuracy: Ranked top 5 in deep-ball completion percentage in 2023.

• Under Pressure: Posted one of the highest passer ratings under pressure, despite playing behind an inconsistent offensive line.

• Red Zone Efficiency: Among the top 10 in touchdown percentage in the red zone.

He’s evolved from a gunslinger into a high-IQ quarterback who rarely makes back-breaking mistakes and consistently elevates his supporting cast.

3. Toughness and Durability: Playing Through Pain and Pressure

Mayfield has battled through more physical and emotional adversity than almost any QB in his generation. In 2021, he played through a torn labrum, fractures, and other injuries in Cleveland. Most quarterbacks would have shut it down.

In 2023, he started all 17 games for the first time since 2020 and reminded fans just how resilient he is. His mental toughness, especially in high-pressure moments, makes him the type of quarterback teammates rally around — a quality shared by the game’s greats.

4. Leadership and Maturity: A Changed Man

Critics used to point to Mayfield’s brash personality and fiery demeanor as red flags. But those traits have matured into veteran confidence and emotional control.

• Teammates consistently praise his locker room presence and preparation.

• He’s grown into a film junkie, reportedly spending long hours dissecting defenses and refining his footwork and mechanics.

• After a turbulent start to his career, he now exudes a calming leadership presence more reminiscent of veterans like Matthew Stafford or Kirk Cousins.

The “chip on his shoulder” mentality remains — but now it fuels him, not distracts him.

5. The Surrounding Cast Doesn’t Inflate His Value

Unlike Mahomes with Kelce, or Hurts with a dominant offensive line and elite receivers, Baker has done more with less.

• The Bucs’ run game was one of the worst in the league, putting more pressure on the passing game.

• The offensive line allowed pressure on nearly 30% of dropbacks.

• While Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are excellent, they are not the overwhelming mismatches that other elite QBs benefit from.

Despite that, Mayfield not only survived — he thrived.

6. The Eye Test: He Just Makes Winning Plays

Baker Mayfield may not always win the statistical crown, but he consistently passes the eye test:

• Clutch Factor: He’s engineered multiple fourth-quarter comebacks and game-winning drives.

• Pocket Movement: Subtle footwork to buy time, reset his platform, and throw darts downfield.

• Football IQ: Reads defenses pre-snap, manipulates safeties with his eyes, and consistently makes the right decision in the short to intermediate game.

He plays smart, tough, winning football, and he’s only getting better.

Is Baker Mayfield a Top-5 QB?

If you’re judging by tools and highlights, maybe not. But if you’re judging by impact, leadership, production, and growth, Baker Mayfield has a very real case:

1. He has no elite running game to lean on.

2. He’s efficient and explosive without elite protection.

3. He wins games, inspires teammates, and performs in big moments.

Remove the biases. Remove the draft bust talk. Watch the tape and look at the numbers.

Baker Mayfield isn’t just underrated — he might be one of the five best quarterbacks in football today.