Could Baker Mayfield Defy the Odds and Snag the NFL’s Ultimate Prize?

Is Baker Mayfield quietly rewriting the Buccaneers’ script to MVP stardom, or are we all just witnessing the perfect storm of timing and talent? Watching Rich Eisen make such a bold call — right there on stage in New York — got me thinking: can a guy once pegged as a steady hand suddenly become the league’s brightest star by midseason? With Tampa Bay sitting pretty atop the NFC South and Mayfield’s stats painting a picture of surgical precision mixed with clutch instincts, it’s hard not to lean in and wonder if the narrative around this veteran QB is about to flip the entire NFL script on its head. Let’s dive a little deeper, shall we?

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 21: Rich Eisen speaks onstage for the Overreaction Monday with Rich Eisen panel during Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 at Javits Center on June 21, 2025 in New York City. — (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for Fanatics)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the 2025 season with Baker Mayfield leading the charge, and through five games he has delivered beyond expectations.

Mayfield has guided Tampa Bay to a 4-1 record and the top of the NFC South with clutch performances and explosive offensive execution.

His command in critical moments has turned heads across the league, pushing his name firmly into MVP conversations.

Analysts have taken notice of his efficient playmaking and ability to orchestrate comeback victories that define Tampa Bay’s early success.

Rich Eisen became the latest voice to champion Mayfield’s MVP case during a recent segment on his show.

“Baker Mayfield at 4-1, 100% is in line to be MVP of this league, and you could make the case through five weeks. He is that,” Eisen said.

"Baker Mayfield at 4-1, 100% is in line to be MVP of this league, and you could make the case through five weeks he is that."@RichEisen makes a strong declaration about the Buccs QB @richeisenshow pic.twitter.com/N73pAvgon6

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 6, 2025

Mayfield currently ranks fourth in the NFL with 1,283 passing yards heading into Week 6, balancing volume with precision throughout the campaign.

His touchdown-to-interception ratio sits at 10-to-1, tied for fourth-best in the league, while his interception rate of just 0.6 percent ranks fifth among starting quarterbacks.

The veteran has also connected on 20 completions of 20-plus yards, second-most in the NFL, showcasing his ability to stretch defenses vertically.

His 0.24 expected points added per dropback places him seventh overall, reflecting consistent efficiency on every snap.

When Mayfield signed a one-year deal with Tampa Bay in 2023, expectations were modest following Tom Brady’s departure.

The Buccaneers needed stability and leadership, not necessarily fireworks. But Mayfield exceeded those hopes immediately, leading the team to the playoffs while earning Pro Bowl honors and finishing as a Comeback Player of the Year finalist.

His 2024 campaign proved even better with 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdowns, another Pro Bowl selection, and an 11th-place finish in MVP voting.

Now Mayfield stands at the center of a legitimate MVP race.

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