Welcome Baker Mayfield

[Snake]

As for the intangibles, they’re pretty tangible with Baker. Guys love playing for him. He is a true throwback player. Plays tough, talks shit, is effortlessly cool. That stuff matters and it makes it easier to root for him.

Versus Kyler Murray., for example. Who is infamously nonverbal.

[NeezDuts]

Well that’s only ten (6 confident) and Herbert and DAK are two of them two are rookies and then there’s tua. I think he’s solidly in the top 10 based on this list probably a little higher. Def not 15-20 as previously mentioned by bootz

[Doctor]

What does that even mean

It means Cannon is going to go full Custer on his Baker hating hill.

Are you the arbiter to decide who gets the credit then? Mind sharing your process.

I think common sense is the arbiter. No one's game has been elevated because of Baker Mayfield. Do you think Sam Darnold is worth $40M a year?

You're out of your mind. Are you even watching the games? Baker had been throwing darts out there, has had amazing pocket presence to help his OL, keeps drives alive with his gutsy scrambles, and literally throws blocks for teammates.

Literally EVERYONE is better off having Mayfield out there.

[Grahamburn]

That’s two Herbert votes. Explain how, please.

[Doctor]

Herbert has only been with one team so he's "more pure".

[Central_Buc]

What does that even mean

It means Cannon is going to go full Custer on his Baker hating hill.

I think common sense is the arbiter. No one's game has been elevated because of Baker Mayfield. Do you think Sam Darnold is worth $40M a year?

You're out of your mind. Are you even watching the games? Baker had been throwing darts out there, has had amazing pocket presence to help his OL, keeps drives alive with his gutsy scrambles, and literally throws blocks for teammates.

Literally EVERYONE is better off having Mayfield out there.

He's not going to admit he's wrong lol

[Grahamburn]

Well that’s only ten (6 confident) and Herbert and DAK are two of them two are rookies and then there’s tua. I think he’s solidly in the top 10 based on this list probably a little higher. Def not 15-20 as previously mentioned by bootz

Nobody would take Tua. Mike McDaniel wouldn’t even take Tua right now.

[BuccaNOLEer]

What does that even mean

It means Cannon is going to go full Custer on his Baker hating hill.

I think common sense is the arbiter. No one's game has been elevated because of Baker Mayfield. Do you think Sam Darnold is worth $40M a year?

You're out of your mind. Are you even watching the games? Baker had been throwing darts out there, has had amazing pocket presence to help his OL, keeps drives alive with his gutsy scrambles, and literally throws blocks for teammates.

Literally EVERYONE is better off having Mayfield out there.

It's awesome to see that Baker has revitalized his career here.

[Grahamburn]

Now factor in contract. He's on the 40th highest deal in the NFL. Same total value as Robert Hunt. A guard for the Panthers.

19th for QBs.

[Bootz]

Based on the body of work Baker has accumulated with the Bucs, these are the only QBs that I would consider above him:

Mahomes
Herbert
Allen
Jackson
Burrow
Stroud

What other QBs would you genuinely trade Baker for and feel absolutely confident that we would gain an upgrade in performance and a higher ceiling as a team???

Would you trade Baker for Matthew Stafford? Murray? Dak? Not me. Stafford is too old, Murray too frail, and Dak is terrible. Caleb Williams and Daniels are far too high risk and unknown as commodities for me to ever want to trade Baker for them. Hurts has proven to be a one year wonder and is one of the most grossly overpaid players in the league. Pass. We have the best QB in the NFC South,and it's no particularly close.

Jared Goff? He's less mobile and his arm is much weaker than Baker. Jordan Love is still way too unproven and has a massive bloated contract.

Who is even left that you can put ahead of Baker? Trevor Lawrence? You mean the guy who had poorer statistics than Daniel Jones through the starts of their careers? Tua? Nah, I don't want to hold my breath that our expensive QB is going to go into a fencing response if a ref accidentally hits his helmet with a flag. Deshaun Watson? LOLOLOLOLOL


So yeah, I feel good saying that at worst Mayfield is the 7th best QB in the league and his play along with his statistical performance supports my claim.

The idea that he's closer to the 15th best QB in the league than 10 is simply preposterous.

Let’s keep contract out of it for now. Because even mediocre quarterbacks are getting big contracts.

I agree with your list of the elite guys or burgeoning elite guys.

You mentioned ceiling, so I’m factoring in a little bit of projection here: I’m betting on Caleb Williams to be a top 5 quarterback. I’m taking him over Baker long-term. I knew about Jayden Daniels before he took his first snap as a true freshman at Arizona State. I like him a lot. but give me six more games and I’ll give you my full opinion.

Definitely better:

Mahomes
Herbert
Allen
Jackson
Burrow
Stroud

Probably better:

Dak
Love
J. Daniels
(Healthy) Tua

Will be better soon:

C. Williams


Where I think it gets iffy is when you compare Baker to the “system guys” and the old guy, Rodgers. Baker has more arm talent and mobility than Goff and Purdy. Goff and Rodgers have more track record. Baker has 1 and 1/3 good seasons in a row so far. I probably put him ahead of Goff and Purdy because I think Baker is able to make something out of nothing. But he will also run into sacks.

Rodgers hasn’t been very good in over two years. But he’s playing for a dumpster fire. Stick him on the Buccaneers and he might be tearing it up.

So yeah, that puts him around 10. In my initial post, I said he’s closer to 10 than 15.

Healthy Tua is better than him. And Kyler Murray could be better if he was given a chance to ditch his trash organization like Baker was.

Funny. I was working on a list like this last night but had other things to take care.

This is precisely what a top 15 list looks like. It doesn't mean he's definitely #15. There are no definites really after #2. Pretty clear that it's Mahomes & Jackson. But it means that you can make a case for a group of guys in that range for being better or worse than one another.

People get too hung up over the number, which turns this conversation into an unnecesary argument.

[Four Verticals]

Now factor in contract. He's on the 40th highest deal in the NFL. Same total value as Robert Hunt. A guard for the Panthers.

19th for QBs.

So he's underpaid.

[NeezDuts]

Now factor in contract. He's on the 40th highest deal in the NFL. Same total value as Robert Hunt. A guard for the Panthers.

19th for QBs.

So he's underpaid.

Yes.

[Noles1724]

she's so sexy

[Lordnlkon]

So he's underpaid.

Yes.

No we way over paid. We should be rolling with Gardner Minshew right now /blue.

[Backside]

Here's a ranking that puts Baker below 15.

https://nflrankings.theringer.com/qb-rankings

Personally I think these are fucking atrocious all the way down. And these Ringer QB rankings are routinely mocked on the internet. But, there it is.

[Grahamburn]

Now factor in contract. He's on the 40th highest deal in the NFL. Same total value as Robert Hunt. A guard for the Panthers.

19th for QBs.

So he's underpaid.

In terms of market value? 100%.

I also believe there to be a mutual understanding on this team, especially from Baker, that sometimes it’s better for your on field success if you sacrifice your off field success. At least somewhat.

Which is why it’s interesting that he’s disparaged for having good players around him when he’s also a big reason that there are so many good players around him.

[Bootz]

There's 2 extremes going on here. 1 with people saying Baker is underpaid, top 5, balling out, whatever. Another with very few (1 really) saying he was overaid, not worth it, should've been replaced with a rookie.

Truth lies somewhere in the middle. He is not under or over paid. QB wise he's above average. But I wouldn't say he's in that group that's gonna carry a team very far. We play well to his strengths but as @Snake put it yesterday extremely well, our playcalling saves him from himself.

[Lordnlkon]

There's 2 extremes going on here. 1 with people saying Baker is underpaid, top 5, balling out, whatever. Another with very few (1 really) saying he was overaid, not worth it, should've been replaced with a rookie.

Truth lies somewhere in the middle. He is not under or over paid. QB wise he's above average. But I wouldn't say he's in that group that's gonna carry a team very far. We play well to his strengths but as @Snake put it yesterday extremely well, our playcalling saves him from himself.

I think we are getting good value for his contract. If his current play was how he had played for his entire career, it would obviously be an under payment. So far in 2024, he has performed as a top 5 QB. The question is: can he be consistent and maintain it? and I think that is where the discussion lies.

[Cheb]

Baker is leading the NFL in TD passes, playing the best ball of his career, a bonafide leader on our team, and doing all that on a salary far less than his peers. If he plays as he has been playing, Baker is going to become the first two-time Pro Bowl quarterback in team history in just his second year on the squad.

I personally don't give a damn where he lands on someone's list of best QBs in the NFL. Watch the man play, because X-rays confirm he's got that dawg in him.

Baker Mayfield is playing great ball this year and I'm glad he's our quarterback for the foreseeable future.

Go Bucs.

[Four Verticals]

So he's underpaid.

In terms of market value? 100%.

I also believe there to be a mutual understanding on this team, especially from Baker, that sometimes it’s better for your on field success if you sacrifice your off field success. At least somewhat.

Which is why it’s interesting that he’s disparaged for having good players around him when he’s also a big reason that there are so many good players around him.

I was being facetious. I find Mayfield is paid remarkably correctly based on his prior career and what he's brought to the Bucs.

[Grahamburn]

There's 2 extremes going on here. 1 with people saying Baker is underpaid, top 5, balling out, whatever. Another with very few (1 really) saying he was overaid, not worth it, should've been replaced with a rookie.

Truth lies somewhere in the middle. He is not under or over paid. QB wise he's above average. But I wouldn't say he's in that group that's gonna carry a team very far. We play well to his strengths but as @Snake put it yesterday extremely well, our playcalling saves him from himself.

How is that any different from what the Ravens do for Lamar Jackson?

Saying they've tailored an offense to fit Baker's strengths, acknowledging that he is excelling in that offense, and then using that fact as a negative to tear him down makes it seem like there's an agenda.

[Bootz]

There's 2 extremes going on here. 1 with people saying Baker is underpaid, top 5, balling out, whatever. Another with very few (1 really) saying he was overaid, not worth it, should've been replaced with a rookie.

Truth lies somewhere in the middle. He is not under or over paid. QB wise he's above average. But I wouldn't say he's in that group that's gonna carry a team very far. We play well to his strengths but as @Snake put it yesterday extremely well, our playcalling saves him from himself.

How is that any different from what the Ravens do for Lamar Jackson?

Saying they've tailored an offense to fit Baker's strengths, acknowledging that he is excelling in that offense, and then using that fact as a negative to tear him down makes it seem like there's an agenda.

You're who I'm referring to as the other extreme.

You're very in your feelings here about the discussion being had. You're taking it personally and getting very defensive, to the point that anything said you're seeing as a negative. It's not. It's a discussion. Just because everyone isn't saying Baker is the best QB in football doesn't mean they view him in a bad light.

R-E-L-A-X.

[Grahamburn]

How is that any different from what the Ravens do for Lamar Jackson?

Saying they've tailored an offense to fit Baker's strengths, acknowledging that he is excelling in that offense, and then using that fact as a negative to tear him down makes it seem like there's an agenda.

You're who I'm referring to as the other extreme.

You're very in your feelings here about the discussion being had. You're taking it personally and getting very defensive, to the point that anything said you're seeing as a negative. It's not. It's a discussion. Just because everyone isn't saying Baker is the best QB in football doesn't mean they view him in a bad light.

R-E-L-A-X.

Y-E-S

I know who you're referring to. It's not coy. Intentionally. I'm fine.

[Pirate Life]

Gronk approves.

[Selmon Rules]

Is it the line and other players on the team making Baker good? To a point, yes. How did Mahomes do without his line back when we beat the snot out of KC in the Superbowl? How is Mahomes doing this year without top notch WRs to throw to? He ain't the reason they are undefeated, the defense is carrying that team. Mahomes is still great, don't get me wrong but you see where I am going.

Every great QB has the benefit of a good to great OL to play behind. Montana made his career throwing the short stuff with the occasional long ball thrown in from time to time to keep defenses honest.

Baker is not Montana nor is he Mahomes, but he is playing at a very high level so far this season and that is all I really care about

[Sooner06]

SBNation, Week 7 QB rankings
https://www.sbnation.com/2024/10/16/242 ... drake-maye

CBSSports, Week 7 Qb rankings
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024 ... -the-show/

33rdteam
https://www.the33rdteam.com/2024-nfl-we ... continues/

The Athletic
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/584307 ... rdy-49ers/

Mayfield, last 14 games, StatMuse
https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/baker- ... t-14-games

Mayfield, last 25 games, StatMuse
https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/baker- ... t-25-games



He's underpaid. Not that I think he cares. I think he loves the team, the coaches, the town, everything. And after everything he's been through, I think he's perfectly happy taking less $$$. Right now. But if he keeps playing like a top-5-8 QB, he's going to be a $45-$50 million/yr QB in short order.

[Babeinbucland]

[Moozician]

Say what you will about Brady; He is THE GOAT... Baker Mayfield is BETTER for this team, BETTER for this locker room. I'd say that he's a better leader overall than Brady was. Tom has experience, yeah, but I believe the players appreciate Mayfield more.

[Noles1724]

Say what you will about Brady; He is THE GOAT... Baker Mayfield is BETTER for this team, BETTER for this locker room. I'd say that he's a better leader overall than Brady was. Tom has experience, yeah, but I believe the players appreciate Mayfield more.

That's one take

[Doctor]

I hate the use of the term better. It puts things on an artificial spectrum. And if the metric for that spectrum is winning, particularly super bowls, it's hard to argue its "better" now.

But I get what you mean. It's a better fit for this particular team, meaning this HC, this locker room, this chapter in our franchise. There is a certain vibe and Baker is not only in tune with it, he amplifies it.

[kaimaru]

Here's a ranking that puts Baker below 15.

https://nflrankings.theringer.com/qb-rankings

Personally I think these are fucking atrocious all the way down. And these Ringer QB rankings are routinely mocked on the internet. But, there it is.

First Things First has Baker top 6

[Snake]

Gronk approves.

Glad to see one of the goats confirming what I said. Baker is an inner circle level leader and dude’s dude. This is why it would never work with Baker on the bench. The locker room wants him on the field.

[acmillis]

Let's see how Baker does against Ravens, Chiefs and 49ers. I'm a Baker non-believer, but he's been GREAT in the majority of the games this season. I'm cautiously pessimistic about what he's going to do over the next four weeks. If he continues to be good, I'll probably have to shut my pie hole. I just don't think he's going to continue to be as good as he's been so far this year against top competition.

[NeezDuts]

Well those might be the best 3 teams in the league l. I expect us to win probably 1 of them

[Grahamburn]

The Ravens have given up the 2nd most yards and the 5th most TDs through the air. I know we're excited about the run game, but hoping Baker stays hot and exploits them where they're weakest. I trust this offense, which is a weird thing to say.

Need Mike healthy and contributing.