It hasn’t necessarily been pretty, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have picked up a pair of gritty victories to open the 2025 campaign. Per usual, Baker Mayfield has played a big role in the team’s early success, and it led to former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians delivering a bold claim regarding the star quarterback.
Ever since latching on with Tampa Bay in 2023, Mayfield has been a revelation under center, turning himself into one of the best quarterbacks in the league. If you ask Arians, he believes that Mayfield deserves to be in the conversation for the best player in the league, as he issued a shocking MVP claim on Tuesday.
Bruce Arians Makes Bold Baker Mayfield MVP Statement
Mayfield was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, but he never truly found his fit with them, and he ended up getting traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2022. Mayfield only lasted half of the season with them before getting released, with the Los Angeles Rams quickly claiming him. After showing some improvement in a couple of starts with them late in the season, the Bucs handed Mayfield a one-year, $4 million deal in 2023.
It’s safe to say that the move has panned out quite well for them. Mayfield has enjoyed a pair of Pro Bowl campaigns in his first two seasons with the Buccaneers, leading them to the playoffs both years as well. While they only have one playoff victory to show for, there’s a lot of excitement surrounding Tampa Bay in 2025, as they are widely expected to win the NFC South division once again.
Through two games, Mayfield has done a great job of leading the shorthanded Bucs to victory over the Atlanta Falcons and Houston Texans, throwing for 382 yards and five touchdowns so far. Simply put, Mayfield continues to prove himself to be a winner, and for that reason, Arians thinks he belongs in the MVP conversation.
“The last two weeks, winning ballgames on the last play, willing your team to a win. He’s playing with five starters out. Two top receivers, both tackles. What he’s doing is amazing, and he’s gotta be in the MVP conversation right now,” Arians said on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
Does Baker Mayfield Belong in the MVP Conversation?
GettyBaker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts against the Atlanta Falcons.
Over the past few years, the MVP conversation has been reserved for guys like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson. Could Mayfield shake things up in 2025, though? In his third season with the Buccaneers, Mayfield appears to be totally comfortable running their offense, and as Arians mentioned, he’s doing so without a fully healthy unit around him.
It’s still very early in the season, but if Tampa Bay keeps on winning, Mayfield could sneak his way into the MVP conversation. Taking down guys like Allen or Jackson is going to be tough, as they both have enjoyed strong starts to the season, but voters aren’t going to ignore Mayfield if the Bucs keep racking up wins. Mayfield will look to keep up the positive momentum when the Buccaneers take on the New York Jets in Week 3.
Bruce Arians Sends Bold Message on Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield