Despite a roller-coaster season and league-high turnover-worthy plays, Baker Mayfield eyes a contract-year resurgence under a new scheme after plummeting to the middle of PFF's quarterback rankings.
Like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' season as a whole, starting quarterback Baker Mayfield had an up-and-down year.
Mayfield was tenth in the NFL with 3,693 passing yards, throwing for 26 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions, but his numbers don't tell the full story of Tampa's strange season.
On Thursday, Pro Football Focus' Dalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick released updated rankings of all 32 NFL QBs, with Mayfield ranking No. 18.
"Mayfield endured a roller-coaster 2025 season, recording 28 big-time throws and 28 turnover-worthy plays. The latter led the NFL and was a major reason the Buccaneers missed the postseason for the first time since 2019," PFF wrote. "Things seemed to be going smoothly for Mayfield before Mike Evans suffered a broken collarbone in Week 7. Evans returned in Week 15, but from Weeks 7 through 18, Mayfield earned just a 56.2 PFF passing grade while throwing 14 touchdowns against 10 interceptions."
Through the first quarter of the regular season, Mayfield looked like a legitimate MVP candidate, leading the Bucs to a 5-1 start, knocking off the eventual Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, and Houston Texans.
Rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka got off to a stellar start to his professional career, showing connection and explosiveness with Mayfield in the deep passing game.
However, after injuries ravaged Tampa's offensive line and skill position groups, Mayfield and the offense began to struggle, becoming less dynamic.
The Bucs dropped seven of their last nine to end the year, losing the NFC South crown for the first time in five seasons.
But, with offensive coordinator Zac Robinson bringing ingenuity and a fresh scheme to Tampa, and Mayfield likely on a contract year, the Bucs are due for a bounce back year.
Recent reports about Mayfield and the front office being far off on extension negotiations have pointed towards the former No. 1 overall pick likely playing out the season on the final year of his 3-year, $100 million deal.
For Mayfield, building chemistry with Robinson will be crucial as he enters a contract season. His familiarity with the McVay coaching tree, along with former head coach Liam Coen’s heavy endorsement, provides a promising start, but only time will tell.
Coen, who spent time with McVay, Mayfield, and Robinson in Los Angeles, predicted a revival-type season from his former signal caller, praising both Mayfield and his new playcaller.
"Obviously their connection – they have a prior relationship, and again, that definitely helps with Baker. He’s going to probably be teed off – a little ticked off to have a better season, get back to the playoffs and do some of those things," Coen said at the annual NFL owners meetings in late-March. "I think he had low key some of the best screens in the NFL to both Bijan [Robinson] and the tight ends, getting some of your playmakers the ball. That wideout room is pretty talented in Tampa. I think the running back room is talented. The O-line is damn good and you re-signed Cade Otton. I think Zac has definitely a plethora of weapons to go work with.”
Mayfield's consistency will be the key for Tampa getting back to the top of the division and determine how much his potential extension is worth.
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