Where Baker Mayfield Excels
August 14th, 2026
Dan Orlovsky.
A lot of Bucs fans will probably be surprised by this.
Former Bucs quarterback Dan Orlovsky, now a talking head with BSPN, had a few points to make about Baker Mayfield. The first one may make many Bucs fans grab their mug of coffee, thinking they’re not yet awake and reading the wrong thing.
But it is true.
It seems Orlovsky believes Mayfield has a good arm. A damn good arm. The sixth-best in the NFL.
This analysis will surely spark outrage with some fans who believe Mayfield is a noodle-arm thrower.
And I also want to call out Mayfield — I still think he has the most slept-on arm in the NFL.
Joe knows some Bucs fans disagree and, as always, Joe suspects it has something to do with the PFF Tribe grades.
Orlovsky believes only Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, Caleb Williams, Matt Stafford and Pat Mahomes have a stronger arm than Mayfield. There are a few other categories where Orlovsky believes Mayfield is among the top-10 quarterbacks in the league.
Second-reaction ability
No. 10 Mayfield
Rushing ability
No. 8 Mayfield
Whatever doubt Joe may have had about Mayfield throwing long passes was tossed out the window the way Mayfield threw two touchdowns to Emeka Egbuka to open the 2025 season. Both of those passes (25-, and 30-yard TDs) were not just thrown on a rope, but they were perfectly placed.
Guys who without an arm couldn’t make those throws.
Joe doesn’t have an issue with Mayfield’s arm. So long as it is healthy.
August 14th, 2026 at 4:13 am
People think he has an inaccurate arm, not a weak one.
August 14th, 2026 at 4:19 am
Baker was. #1 overall draft pick. He has plenty of talent, both potential and demonstrated.
Then again, it was the Cleveland Browns.
Arm has always been rated up there by people in the know. Height not so much. Unclear how Payton structured an offense for Drew Brees but then again Mayfield has not always been lucky with his coaching.
August 14th, 2026 at 5:18 am
Yes this is a Franchise QB. Get him signed and get it out of the headlines. LFG!!
August 14th, 2026 at 5:36 am
Jason Licht is undermining our season by not signing our best player on offense and our best player on defense. The team leaders on both sides of the ball are pissed at the organization. Once camp breaks it’ll be a drag in the locker room.
August 14th, 2026 at 5:42 am
Thousands of humans walking the earth “have a good arm” and can make all the throws in the NFL——only 6-8 can make those throws under duress from a 300 pound lineman trying to take his head off. Poise under pressure cannot be evaluated.
August 14th, 2026 at 6:38 am
A year or two ago I watched the pro bowl quarterback arm competition thing. I was in the hospital so there wasn’t exactly much else on. Baker had the best arm after any of them. I guess the pro bowl is kind of like a game show these days.
August 14th, 2026 at 6:54 am
Brees was excellent throwing on his tippy toes, not a joke, he was basically 6-2 when throwing even though he’s “listed” at 6’0, made a difference
August 14th, 2026 at 7:00 am
@Lou
I agree with your assessment. Baker has an arm but “height not so much” which is likely one reason he struggles at times. If baker was 6’3-6’5 with his style of play what would that be like?
August 14th, 2026 at 7:03 am
I’ve always thought his arm strength is great, but his touch passes (wheel routes) weren’t great, nor his touch on long passes wasn’t great.
August 14th, 2026 at 7:14 am
Close to 100 TD’s thrown the past few years! I think he does something right!!
August 14th, 2026 at 7:17 am
Mayfield has one of the longest air yards passes in the history of the NFL. Did it with the Browns I think. He has a rocket arm. He’s plenty accurate too. Has several games with almost no incompletions. You don’t do that while inaccurate.
So anyone who says he doesn’t have a strong arm or isn’t accurate is 100% wrong.
August 14th, 2026 at 7:17 am
No one hits all the throws..
August 14th, 2026 at 7:36 am
If we don’t resign him THEN BRING BACK DAN ORLOVSKY!😁😀👍🤦🙄 HE’S STILL GOT HIS JERSEY THERE. Maybe he’s improved as a QB now.🤮💩
August 14th, 2026 at 7:39 am
Right- other than Goff that one time…
August 14th, 2026 at 7:51 am
In December 2020, Mayfield threw a pass from his own 40 out the back of the end zone (70+ yards) in a game against Baltimore. His 2 highest efficiency games were:
Seattle Seahawks (October 5, 2025): Mayfield went 29-of-33 (87.9% completion rate) for 379 yards and 2 touchdowns, logging just 4 incompletions. According to the NFL on CBS, this made him the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 375+ yards with fewer than 5 incompletions in a regular-season game.
Houston Texans (September 19, 2021): While playing for the Cleveland Browns, Mayfield put up his highest single-game completion percentage by going 19-of-21, which equates to just 2 incompletions (90.5%).
August 14th, 2026 at 7:52 am
Baker has been known to have a big arm since college, what are people even talking about…Gruden who is known for hyperbole says he has a cannon…YouTube a video of all his deep touchdowns if ur a naysayer
August 14th, 2026 at 8:00 am
Have you ever noticed every picture of Orlavsky looks the same? Always has both hands on his shoulder pads and wearing a team cap? I’ve been a Buc fan since the beginning and I can’t remember him being a Buc. 🤷🏼♂️
August 14th, 2026 at 8:02 am
Another place Baker has excelled? Look at “Full Send” podcast with Joe Burrow talking about Baker Mayfield.
Burrow threw for 400 yards and Baker went 25-28 with 5 touchdown passes to beat him, then followed that up by going 20-22 and beating him again. Burrow stressed that Baker “balls” every time he’s seen him and that Mayfield would have no problem landing on his feet after the Cleveland debacle. Ultimate competitor or some such nonsense.
Ballers know Ballers. Bring on the Bengals!
August 14th, 2026 at 8:24 am
The truth is play calling can set up a qb to win or LOSE. We have seen both for Baker.
August 14th, 2026 at 8:33 am
Stpetematt, that game against Houston in 2021 was the game where he tore his labrum in the first half trying to make a tackle. So he played the entire second half with that injury and still had only two incompletions in the game. How ironic is that!!!
August 14th, 2026 at 8:36 am
Drew Brees did indeed get on his toes when throwing. He started doing that in New Orleans. I don’t remember him doing that in San Diego.
August 14th, 2026 at 9:03 am
This is why the Browns let him go:
vs. San Francisco 49ers (Oct 7, 2019)Attempts: 22Completions: 8Interceptions: 2Passer Rating: 13.4Final Score: 49ers 31, Browns 3
Last year: Los Angeles Rams (Nov 23, 2025)Attempts: 19Completions: 9Interceptions: 2Passer Rating: 32.0Final Score: Rams 34, Buccaneers 7
Cincinnati Bengals (Dec 8, 2019)Attempts: 24Completions: 11Interceptions: 2Passer Rating: 38.9Final Score: Browns 27, Bengals 19 (Note: Cleveland won despite his low rating)
at Seattle Seahawks (Jan 8, 2023)Attempts: 26Completions: 13Interceptions: 1Passer Rating: 51.3Final Score: Seahawks 19, Rams 16
Vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Oct 14, 2018)Attempts: 46Completions: 22Interceptions: 2Passer Rating: 52.6Final Score: Chargers 38, Browns 14
Green Bay Packers (Dec 25, 2021)Attempts: 36Completions: 21Interceptions: 4 (Career High)Passer Rating: 55.3Final Score: Packers 24, Browns 22
My point is this. Anyone can cherry pick great games from most any NFL QB and call him great. It’s the body of work resulting in wins and losses that counts.
Yes, Baker had some great games early on last year. And his fans live and die by them. When he plays poorly they go blind.
Face it, he looked awful in the final weeks against Miami, Atlanta and Carolina when a single win against any of these poor record teams would’ve won the division.
He just needs to be more consistent. I hope he plays great this year and gets the loot he’s looking for. I hope the Bucs win the Super Bowl.
I also think this should be a prove it year for him. With consistent play and a great team record he’ll never have to worry about money again.
August 14th, 2026 at 9:22 am
Throw the man some cash and let him go to work!
August 14th, 2026 at 9:31 am
Baker has never been able to excel for two reasons (1) he has never had a HC who had any segment of discipline and structure and (2) never had a quality OC two or more years in a row!
August 14th, 2026 at 10:04 am
Speaking of arm strength …. Both Mahomes and Herbert were clocked at throwing 60MPH at the NFL Combine. Baker threw 60 as well. So, give the arm strength thing a rest already.
August 14th, 2026 at 10:09 am
JA, what am I reading in your post? He had eight interceptions against the 49ers? Nine interceptions against the Rams? Dude, if you want to throw something out there, at least have it be accurate or realistic. I mean come on now.
August 14th, 2026 at 10:42 am
I dont think he’s a noodle arm, He has a strong arm. He’s just consistently inaccurate.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:16 am
By the end of this season, barring injury, Baker Mayfield will be considered a top 5 QB…and maybe league MVP.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:24 am
Okiejim Says
“Baker has never been able to excel for two reasons (1) he has never had a HC who had any segment of discipline and structure and (2) never had a quality OC two or more years in a row!”
I can’t argue against that at all.
And I hate the NFL rules allowing teams to poach coaches after one year. I think it should be 2 years at least.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:47 am
This is one of those things that sounds interesting, but it is only if it translates to results. Everyone just loves Herbert, but what exactly has he done in 6 years in the league when it counts, the playoffs. He has appeared in 3 games, three losses, 2 TDs and 4 INTs, a combined Rating of 64.7, and QBRs of 47.7, 11.4 & 28.0 respectively.
I am not saying now, nor have I ever, that Baker is in the class of Mahomes, Allen, or Stafford, but I would take him over Herbert in any playoff game without a seconds hesitation.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:51 am
Those people who think Baker doesn’t have a strong arm aren’t watching the Bucs games. I think people get strong arm confused with accuracy or sometimes decision making ability.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:59 am
Somebody says Baker has a good arm, and the jackals find all kinds of other things wrong with him. Talk about a random reflex!
August 14th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
No Superbowl ring no excelling. And that goes for Jackson, Josh, Herbert, Murray, Sanders, Dak, … Pretty much everybody…..
August 14th, 2026 at 12:24 pm
I am feeling very positive about Baker Mayfield.
I am “positive” he is a very mediocre NFL QB.
He will lead another NFL team to another mediocre record.
7-10.
August 14th, 2026 at 2:35 pm
Correction, Baker and Josh Allen both threw 60 mph at the 2018 combine. And Josh has the strongest arm in the league and according to the haters, Baker has a weak arm. Haters…
August 14th, 2026 at 3:27 pm
I think the 45 yarder to Tez was the best!
August 14th, 2026 at 3:40 pm
It doesn’t matter if you have a strong arm if you’re just not accurate – and Baker is no accurate on long passes. Additionally when Baker holds the ball, he’s gets happy feet, which leads to lots of bad plays – him taking bad sacks, fumbling or throwing picks. That was what Coen figured out early in 2024, and then changed the offense to be almost exclusively a short / quick passing game offense, and that’s when Baker took off.
It’s not hard to watch the film and see what Baker is good at, and what he isn’t good at. If Zac wants to be the next Grizz, then go out and talk about how you’re going to throw it deep more, and like Grizz, you’ll be fired at the end of the season.
Of course you need to take shots to keep the defense honest, but if Zac actually thinks the deep ball should be a big part of the offense, then he’s going to fail, everyone will get fired, and Baker will be a FA next offseason.
Don’t be a moron, watch the dang Coen tape, and don’t waste yet another year of Bucs football.
August 14th, 2026 at 4:31 pm
I don’t agree with that Rod. Baker was playing hurt last year and still kept the Bucs in many games. Our defense and special teams made way too many mistakes and gave up too many points. Games to remember are the Eagles, where the special teams blew the punt coverage and gave up a TD. Patriots our defense gave up two very long runs. The Bills special teams could not cover punts and the defense never stopped Allen. The Falcons 3rd and 28. The Buccaneers should have won all those games had the defense and special teams played better.
I really think Baker has a tremendous arm and is blessed with a lot of athleticism. He’s definitely a top ten NFL quarterback. The Bucs can go all the way with this team.
The question remains unanswered whether or not the coaches can take this talented bunch of athletes and extract from them the skills needed to make it to the playoffs.
Win 10 and You’re In !!
Go Bucs !!
August 14th, 2026 at 4:39 pm
Baker is a top ten NFL quarterback easy. The Bucs should have won several games last year. Philly, New England, Buffalo, Atlanta, 3rd and 28. But our defense and special teams blew it in all the above games. Baker was playing his tale off and he was injured.
I think we have what it takes to get to the playoffs!!
Go Bucs !!
August 14th, 2026 at 6:15 pm
Well Well … You’re right. Mahomes hit 60 the year before.
August 14th, 2026 at 6:41 pm
Bartow Buc Says:
August 14th, 2026 at 4:31 pm
I don’t agree with that Rod. Baker was playing hurt last year and still kept the Bucs in many games.
———–
Baker Mayfield’s average depth of target:
2024: 7.07 yards
2025: 8.36 yards
What year would you say Baker did better in? 2024, or 2025?
Saying you should use Baker in a way that best fits his skillset isn’t an insult – it’s saying USE HIM IN A WAY THAT BEST FITS HIS SKILLSET. That’s how you should use every player. You don’t put Jameis Winston in a west coast offense, and you don’t put Baker Mayfield in a Air Coryell offense. You use guys in a way that best fits their skills – and Baker excels when he’s making quick decisions, getting the ball out quickly, and if there’s nothing there, he scrambles and gets a few yards. When Baker holds the ball, he gets happy fit, starts running around inside the pocket, and takes bad sacks or turns it over. Every good coach should be able to watch the tape and figure out what Baker exceeds at, and where he’s not as good, and put Baker (and any player) in a position to best succeed.
August 14th, 2026 at 6:45 pm
Bartow Buc Says:
August 14th, 2026 at 4:39 pm
Baker is a top ten NFL quarterback easy. The Bucs should have won several games last year. Philly, New England, Buffalo, Atlanta, 3rd and 28. But our defense and special teams blew it in all the above games. Baker was playing his tale off and he was injured.
————
Baker was terrible in the Philly game, what are you talking about the loss wasn’t on him? He got a hail mary TD to save his stats, but he stunk in that first half and didn’t give the Bucs a chance.
Vs New England, the defense gave Baker the ball back THREE times in the 4th quarter with a chance to take the lead, and Baker turned that into ZERO points. How in the world do you think the loss wasn’t on him?
Vs Atlanta, Baker literally throws the worst INT I’ve ever seen in my life – I mean literally the worst, I have no idea how he throws that ball, it’s worse than the dumbest Winston play I ever saw – AND, even more importantly, on the last drive, with everyone in the world knowing if the Bucs punt the ball they lose the game, he misses a wide open throw that gives the Bucs a first down and the game is over. I could have made that throw, any middle school QB could have made that throw, and Baker missed it. How in the world do you think that Atlanta game, in which he had Mike Evans open over and over again and Mike had to make circus catches to get the ball – which is why he left- how in the world do you think that game was a good game for Baker?
You Baker Boi(s) are nuts, and you have literally no idea what you’re watching.
August 14th, 2026 at 9:01 pm
Watching football Rod. Stats show Baker as one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He’s certainly capable of leading the Bucs all the way to the Super Bowl with the right combination of players and play calling.
I agree with you! Let’s use Baker in a way that fits his skillset. But man when he’s dialed in he can sure spin that ball. Let’s not rule out the long game.
I know we’re just Bucs fans who love to see our team excel. Hopefully they’ll make us proud this season !!
Go Bucs !!
August 15th, 2026 at 10:10 am
He was selected as the number 1 pick in the draft. That’s not a lottery.
August 15th, 2026 at 9:27 pm
Bucs are going to miss Mike Evans this season. Still mad about him leaving.