Baker Mayfield is playing the best football of his career and its caught the admiration of a longtime commentator.
Mayfield has led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 4-1 record, with their only loss coming against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
In all four wins, Mayfield drove the team down the field in the final minute for the victory.
On Sunday, the Bucs defeated the Seattle Seahawks, 38-35, in a game that featured two former high first-round picks at quarterback resurrecting their careers years later. The other being Sam Darnold.
Mayfield, a former No. 1 overall pick for the Cleveland Browns, led the Bucs to the playoffs last season and so far this year, has placed himself in the MVP conservation, according to former morning show commentator Skip Bayless.
Skip Bayless Says Mayfield ‘Clutchest’ QB in NFL
“Tell me I’m wrong. He did it again,” said Bayless for The Arena: Gridiron. “He’s the clutchest quarterback in football. The Bucs have won 4 games, they’re 4-1. All four times they won in the final minute of the game because of him. He is him. If we did have an MVP through five games, he’s the runaway and I don’t care what you say.
“And I will remind you in the one game they lost against Philadelphia, defending champs, (he) nearly brought them back from 24 to 3 down. Yesterday was his greatest achievement because this is Seattle, they came in allowing the second fewest points in the league, their defense. Your degree of difficulty is much greater than Sam Darnold’s. Baker Mayfield goes 29 of 33 for 279 (passing yards) and he’s talking crap to everybody, to the fans.
“Right here, right now, as we speak, game for my life, I want Baker with my life in his hands.”
GettySEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 05: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on after beating the Seattle Seahawks 38-35 at Lumen Field on October 05, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
Who Are the Early Season MVP Candidates?
NFL.com’s Jeffri Chadiha has both Mayfield and Darnold in his top five MVP rankings headed into Week 6.
At No.1 is Buffalo Bills QB and reigning MVP Josh Allen. The Bills have a record of 4-1 and Allen has completed a career-high 70.4% of his passes for 1,217 yards, nine touchdowns, two interceptions and a QB rating of 108.4. Allen is far-and-away the gambling favorite to win the award again.
At No. 2 is Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff. The Lions are 4-1 and Goff has completed a career-high 75.2% of his passes for 1,187 yards, 12 touchdowns and two interceptions. He has a QB rating of 120.7.
Mayfield is positioned No. 3. Through the first five weeks, Mayfield has completed 65.1% of his passes for 1,283 yards, 10 touchdowns, an interception, and a QB rating of 104.4.
At No. 4 is Indianapolis Colts QB Daniel Jones, who similarly to Mayfield and Darnold is seeing a resurgence years after not finding success with the team that drafted them. The Colts are also 4-1 and Jones has completed a career-high 71.3% of his passes for 1,290 yards, six touchdowns, two interceptions and QB rating of 105.1.
Lastly, at No. 5, is Darnold. Seattle is 3-2 headed into Week 6. Darnold has completed a career-high 73.1% of his passes for 1,246 yards, nine touchdowns, three interceptions and QB rating of 114.8.
Noted Sports Personality Says Baker Mayfield ‘Runaway’ MVP Through Five Weeks