Last year, Baker Mayfield was still trying to prove he could be a successful starter in the NFL after signing a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a base value of just $4 million.
Mayfield responded with the best season of his career so far, earning his first Pro Bowl nod while leading the Bucs to a third straight NFC South title and a fourth consecutive trip to the postseason.
The Bucs rewarded Mayfield this offseason with a new three-year contract extension that includes $50 million in guaranteed money, a clear indication they see Mayfield as their unquestioned franchise quarterback for the foreseeable future.
Mayfield’s performance last season didn’t convince the folks at Pro Football Focus, though, as they recently released their ranking of the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFC heading into the 2024 season, with Mayfield nowhere to be found:
Ranking the top QBs in the NFC, per @TampaBayTre đź‘€ pic.twitter.com/fYo7oEaQ4A
— PFF (@PFF) May 25, 2024
Mayfield finds himself off the list in favor of rookie Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2024 NFL draft, who hasn’t even played a single NFL snap for the Chicago Bears yet.
As if he ever needed any extra motivation, the chip on Mayfield’s shoulder might somehow be even bigger this season thanks to all the doubters who still think last season was a fluke.
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