Baker Mayfield Improves A Tier
August 12th, 2025
Arrow pointing up. Coaches and executives survey released.
Baker Mayfield, in the eyes of NFL coaches and suits, improved last year.
So much so that Mayfield is now among the top two tiers of quarterbacks
Mike Sando of The Athletic has an annual quarterback tier system based on feedback from some 50 NFL coaches and suits.
This year, votes from Sando’s sources within the NFL put Mayfield as the NFL’s No. 11 quarterback. Last year, Mayfield was voted No. 18. As a result of his second career year in a row, Mayfield jumped a tier in Sando’s rankings from Tier 3 to Tier 2.
Sando’s NFL sources for this poll included six general managers, six assistant general managers, six former general managers, five personnel suits, eight head coaches and 19 assistant coaches, including 15 coordinators.
Below is some of the feedback on Mayfield from Sando’s NFL sources.
* “He went from being a wild man to being a contained wild man now,” an offensive coach said. “He is still going to turn the ball over here and there, but he can elevate everyone around him through his style of play.”
* “He has matured,” a defensive coach said. “Think of this: Same guy who was wearing a bath robe in a commercial when he played for the Browns?”
* “To his credit, he has different coordinators the last few years, and he is getting progressively better,” an exec said. “His ability and playmaking has helped him get back to the place where he was drafted, first overall.”
* “You look at his path, s—, talk about playing your best ball with your back against the wall,” a head coach said.
* “Baker has more playmaking ability [than Brock Purdy] — he can carry it a little bit more,” one voter said.
* “You can see their design,” a defensive coordinator said of the Bucs. “You can see the play selection. More of the throws are going outside. I think they are opening his line of vision because he is a smaller guy. That is where I feel like Liam did a good job fitting the system around him.”
The remark from the defensive coordinator is interesting. And Joe is curious about the effort to diversify the offense if 2025 Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard strays from those outside passes.
Joe likes how Grizzard wants to add to Liam Coen’s offense. But let’s be real, Coen didn’t diversify for a reason. And Joe thinks that bears out with Mayfield and the Bucs’ offensive numbers last year.
August 12th, 2025 at 7:01 am
We will see. Hard to have an opinion on Baker without fan criticism. Fans have been seduced by all of Baker’s swag and/or moxie, he’s fun, he’s the locker room guy everyone loves, combined that with solid passing stats and yet imo it tends to hide the fact that he’s not a killer on the field in close games. Not sure what QB you can compare him to, but Baker throughout his career is a .500 QB. He’s going to make some amazing plays here and there, he’s going to win some football games, we’re going to love him for it, but I don’t think he can consistently finish football games when the ball is in his hands.
How about this for the fans in 2025, show us when the lights on in primetime, you can win. Show us when you wear throwback uniforms that you’re not under some dumb curse. Show the fans when you’re favored against a good football team you can live up to those expectations. This team in general, but ESPECIALLY Baker thrives as the underdog. God help us if we get any hype about being favored to make a deep playoff run.
August 12th, 2025 at 7:07 am
Need to lift that primetime curse as stated above – we have been awful during those games
August 12th, 2025 at 7:17 am
“Think of this: Same guy who was wearing a bath robe in a commercial when he played for the Browns?”
Frankly, I thought those Progressive Insurance commercials were hilarious. Love to see Progressive reboot at Ray Jay and the pirate ship. I think they are missing out.
August 12th, 2025 at 7:37 am
Bake has good coaching and surrounding players with the Bucs. Cleveland offensive coaching and ownership is a train wreck where QB’s go to get their careers shortened. Bake still get’s hammered for his commercials and play in Cleveland? Mahommes is all over the place with commercials with no flak? Only idiot coaches think that commercials filmed in the off-season are impactful.
August 12th, 2025 at 7:40 am
Sando … ‘More of the throws are going outside. I think they are opening his line of vision because he is a smaller guy. That is where I feel like Liam did a good job fitting the system around him.”
Interesting observation. I felt like Baker has been doing a great job of throwing all over the field, mostly short & intermediate. Sounds like the Bucs have been going more to the outside on purpose.
August 12th, 2025 at 7:43 am
Lt. Dan that is an awesome idea!!! Those commercials were hilarious and with the pirate ship would be classic! Heck if insurance company doesn’t do it some company should!!! Let’s hope he can do the commercial carrying a SB MVP trophy this time next year!
August 12th, 2025 at 7:49 am
A defensive coach is going to make a suggestion that Baker in a bathrobe for an insurance commercial where the stadium is supposed to be his home show some sign of his immaturity?
You want a commercial short that’s not something to be proud of, how about Andy Reid saying “Bundlerooski” over and over again? I give him huge props for having the type of ego to be okay doing that commercial and having fun with it, but he comes off as an elite moron in it. And I’ll put money on the fact that Andy and his team put the beat down on this same defensive coach. Do you think Andy is immature, coach?
August 12th, 2025 at 7:50 am
Naa Baker sucks. Trask would do better. Just ask the resident drooler.
August 12th, 2025 at 7:50 am
.. that defensive coach in question probably works for the Chiefs. LOL
August 12th, 2025 at 8:38 am
Yes it is, Joe. You wrote articles on Mayfield’s passing charts and what that D-Coordinated stated was evident.
August 12th, 2025 at 8:39 am
baker has improved from his days with CLE, CAR & LAR no doubt…
but i cant say he’s arrived and is living up to his #1 overall selection….
baker still has too many TOs and not enough primetime/playoffs wins…
with that said, i know we can win another SB with baker but offensively, we have to rely heavily on the run game…
the goal should be for bucky to have at least 1,400 rushing yards and white/tucker to combine for at least 1000 yards rushing
GO BUCS!!!!
August 12th, 2025 at 8:41 am
Baker is on track to be this generation’s Jim Plunkett.
August 12th, 2025 at 8:41 am
DR
All over the field? His deep ball needs a lot of work. Other than he can make good throws when his feet are set and he has a passing lane. But he can’t see over the line which is why he has tons of batted balls.
Baker is Jeff Garcia with a stronger arm. He’s tough, but when you need a score in a tight game he doesn’t rise to the occasion. Funny how the first quote mentioned turnovers. That’s why other teams love Baker, he’ll keep their team in the game.
August 12th, 2025 at 8:43 am
It is funny that Zoo is trashing on Baker for losing those prime time games when those games were played with no Chris or Mike Evans. Baker almost won against KC in their house if we went for 2. So that loss is on Todd Bowles. Plus, for that stretch his leading receivers were like Ryan Miller and Cade Otton LOL. Brother you are just outright wrong. He would’ve won the Cowboys game too if it weren’t for R. White fumbling the ball (if I remember correctly). Probably would have done a lot better if it weren’t for that atrocious Sterling Shephard play early in the game which killed their momentum.
August 12th, 2025 at 8:54 am
* “You can see their design,” a defensive coordinator said of the Bucs. “You can see the play selection. More of the throws are going outside. I think they are opening his line of vision because he is a smaller guy. That is where I feel like Liam did a good job fitting the system around him.”
I agree with this 100%. Coen built on what Canales put in place, and you can see how the short & intermediate passing game caters to what Mayfield can do well and protects the scheme from what he does not do so well in the pass game.
August 12th, 2025 at 9:01 am
The difference between Mahomes doing commercials and Mayfield doing commercials is professional credibility, when you’ve led your team to multiple Super Bowl Victories there is no question about your professional abilities being affected, Mayfield? Not so much, win a few playoff games , fumble less, get intercepted less, choke less, and win a few playoff games , maybe a Super Bowl here or there , then think about doing commercials. ( Think about it , how many , non proven “Superstars” do you see making commercials ? No business wants to have their brand being associated forever with a flash in the pan).
August 12th, 2025 at 9:19 am
“but when you need a score in a tight game he doesn’t rise to the occasion.”
Trash observation from a Trask bro. We’ve had a number of games where In tight games Baker rose to the occasion – and then our defense sunk to their occasion – more than once with under a minute to go.
Its easy to see a fumble or an interception and call choke but real choking was watching just about every team with a decent QB walk down the field with ease after our offense scored. Tell me everyone here didn’t groan if the other team needed a score with over 40 seconds to go in the 4th.
August 12th, 2025 at 9:28 am
“maybe a Super Bowl here or there , then think about doing commercials. ”
@JDStill
That loud rolling on the floor laughter you are hearing is coming all the way From Miami. Dan Marino sends his regards.
P.S. just about every beloved Qb does commercials – Super Bowl or not _ especially in a big city like Cleveland. Look up the name Bernie Kosar.
August 12th, 2025 at 9:39 am
Reunite with Progressive. Progressive Investments and Mayfield would be a perfect fit.
Mayfield could tell potential investors who not to trust their money with.
August 12th, 2025 at 9:43 am
Bee:
Last year (2024) NFL stats showed Baker 22nd in deep balls completed.
But in 2023, NFL stats showed Baker 2nd in deep balls completed.
Baker was 10th in his rookie year.
It seems year in and year out — there are different QB’s in the top 5 — constantly changing.
I am not sure that I thought Baker was bad on completing the deep pass — but I accept your hypothesis as being possible.
August 12th, 2025 at 9:49 am
Read an article talking about what Cleveland let go: “one of the worst trades in the history of North American sports”. 😂 The cream is rising…
August 12th, 2025 at 10:16 am
Some of you people I wonder about…
You say Baker has to show us he can win, when the game is placed in his hands. Do you not remember KC in 2024, you know, that team that played in the superbowl and we played them AT THIER HOME AT NIGHT ON MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL IN THE RAIN. It doesn’t get much bigger in the regular season. Baker gets the ball with 2 minutes left, drove it right down their throats. Then the coaches decided to tie it instead of win it. I don’t know what more you could expect from a quarterback. But we need to see him PROVE HE CAN DO IT. That was without his best receivers. Do you remember that?? Some folks are just hopeless I guess
August 12th, 2025 at 10:21 am
MikeBuc, “Beloved?” That laughter You’re hearing is from the Business community, they want their products associated with long term , proven winners, most “Belovedness “ is fleeting , How’s Mayfield’s commercials doing in Cleveland now? Dan Marino’s commercials really didn’t take off until after he made the Hall of Fame even Michael Jordan , George Foreman, (and for a while until problems arose , Brett Farve ), had to be proven successes , and Cleveland? They’ll take anything they can get.
August 12th, 2025 at 10:52 am
Burrow, Jackson, Allen, Mahomes, maybe Daniels if he takes another step forward.
I guess they have Herbert, Purdy and Stafford ahead of him?
I dunno. I get it with the first four, that’s another tier. I would have Baker in the top 10.
August 12th, 2025 at 10:52 am
I get the feeling that a lot of the baker haters are tom brady era bucs fans. Those who suffered through the lost decade I suspect are happy with his play. If you removed tb12 the last bucs qb prior to baker to win a play off game was brad in 2002.
August 12th, 2025 at 11:26 am
Bake needs to work on his consistency. If he can play more consistent, there’s nothing stopping this team.
August 12th, 2025 at 11:55 am
And then there was the longest drive, 98 yards, in 45 years with 2 minutes left on the clock. Ended with a 30 yard pass with 10 seconds left. I would guess that drive and throw had just a little pressure to it. He had a VERY complex playbook he had to learn in 48 hours before the game and he drove the ball down the field like he had been there 5 years. And that was on a team riddled with injuries. Do you remember that? Shawn Mcvay loves Baker. So did Liam Coen. It’s why he came here to be our OC. He knew what old Bakie was capable of. Paid off for him didn’t it. $13 million worth of paying off.
August 12th, 2025 at 11:57 am
The fact that Baker succeeded with Dave Canales and pretty much got him his head coaching job states volumes. Baker looked good with Canales… the dude is still clearly way over his head and Baker made his offense not look terrible.
August 12th, 2025 at 12:35 pm
Then there are the 10 other game winning game drives he’s had. But he needs to prove he can win a game when it’s put in his hands.Lmao
August 12th, 2025 at 1:27 pm
Zoocomics Says:
“Not sure what QB you can compare him to, but Baker throughout his career is a .500 QB.”
This is simply NOT TRUE.
I’ve seen this statement before, and I decided to look it up. Especially since he came to Tampa, but even considering his entire career it’s not true.
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t a fan of Mayfield coming to Tampa. I was not impressed and I felt someone ‘not broken’ would be a better option.
But since then, he’s earned props.
After the carousel of quarterbacks we’ve had over the past 5 decades, outside of Tom Brady, he may be the best the Bucs have ever had.
August 12th, 2025 at 1:32 pm
@JD Still
You should have never gone to MJ and so basketball because now it just makes you look like even more foolish NBA has ton loads of players in commercial who never won a ring.
You need to go study the game son. The names of QBs in the NFL that did commercials and were great that never won a super bowl are legion. From Marino to Jim Kelly to Cunnigham and Tarkenton
And Yes Baker is beloved in Tampa. Get over it . Sheesh I guess We shouldn’t be surprised at the hatorade from the Trask gatorade crew. .
August 12th, 2025 at 1:53 pm
If the Bucs defense is top 15 last year I think the kvetching about Baker is much quieter. We win 3-4 more games if the defense could stop anyone and probably another playoff win.
August 12th, 2025 at 2:02 pm
i love mayfield. deep ball may not be his strength, so getting better everywhere else may have been the best strategy.
where does it say every player has to do everything perfect? that non-strength may be why we got him below market helping us to be stronger in other places.
give me wins and i will shut up
August 12th, 2025 at 2:57 pm
Davyboy
Are you mentioning a game winning drive for another team that happened how many years ago? And BTW Baker thru a pick-6 on the 2nd or 3rd play that called back for a hold.
As I’ve said, I would like to witness these winning heroics you speak of in the PLAYOFFS. If he’s elite, he’ll be able to do it, especially with Evans out there.
August 12th, 2025 at 3:08 pm
Baker Mayfield has been a Godsend. I feel sorry for folks who insist on being miserable by hating on him during this Golden Age of Buccaneers Football.
He’s a better actor than any of the quarterbacks mentioned above, as well.
August 12th, 2025 at 3:36 pm
What Bee, going to a team that has lost 6 in a row and is 3-9 on the season and winning an unbelievable game and breaking a 45 year old record the minute you show up means nothing anymore? Is that what you are saying? Shawn McVay disagrees with you. He described Baker as an amazing qb, couldnt believe what Baker did, couldn’t believe he just saw what he saw. Just another record Baker owns.
The REASON it was an interception was the DB HELD the receiver, wow. That’s why they called it back. BUT IT WAS AN INTERCEPTION!!!!! The 2 perfectly thrown 30 yard balls to skowronek and Jefferson were amazing, on the money. THEY WON
So Bee what negative comment can you come up with concerning the KC game?? You people seem to miss the heroics in the playoffs. What do you think a 146 passer rating is? It’s only the highest of all postseason play, thats all. It’s exactly why Dan Quinn played keep away from Baker, because of his 18-15 83% completion rate and 146 PR. When you only get 50% of your pass attempts anyone will lose in a playoff game. You have to get your turn at scoring…we didnt against Dan Quinn and Washington, so we lost. Its that easy.
August 12th, 2025 at 3:51 pm
Dan Quinn is a good coach, ranked #3. He knew if old Bakie got his normal number of attempts at scoring he would lose. He knew that was a fact, so he played a high stakes game of keep the ball away from Baker Mayfield, and it payed off. If we could have made them punt just 1 time it would have been us going deep in the playoffs because we were the better team with a better quaterback but when your quarterback can’t touch the ball, well…
August 12th, 2025 at 3:56 pm
And Bee, the KC game was only 9 months ago. Does it count??
August 12th, 2025 at 4:18 pm
Now that he’s finally had two good seasons in a row I can’t see why he won’t build on last year. He definitely wasn’t the problem .
August 12th, 2025 at 5:01 pm
If you look at the play and know anything about football you would know that the quarterback releases the ball right before the receiver makes his cut to the outside so the ball is right there when he starts the out part of his route so the DB doesn’t have time to make his move on the ball. Well if you are held right before the out part, which he was, that ball is already in flight where the receiver is supposed to be but in this case he was held and was about half a second behind. Resulting in an interception. And it wasn’t a pick six, wrong again Bee. I’m sure there are those that will say, oh here we go again making excuses for Bakie. But by so doing, you are just showing your ignorance of the game, again.
August 12th, 2025 at 5:53 pm
If Grizz keeps Baker in a similar teamwork, he’s not going to get a LOT of deep shots unless we can protect him or get him outside the pocket more – and as Joe implies, the DC recognizes what we’re doing – so exposing Baker more than a surprise play or two per game will come with some risk.
However, a strong running attack with a multiple threat like a really good pass catching running back, is important. All the more necessary to get Rachaad White back as quickly as possible. Not many of our backs have exhibited White’s blitz pick-up ability.
August 12th, 2025 at 8:59 pm
Davyboy
The KC game was a loss. Bowles has so much faith in his star QB he put the game on the kicker and the defense. He couldn’t trust Baker for one more play after all the heroics you described. Just like he did in the WAS playoff game. Would let Baker touch the ball on 4th and 4 in the redzone. Are you noticing a trend? Bowles doesn’t trust Baker when it counts. We’ll see what happens this season.
August 12th, 2025 at 11:00 pm
Yeah Bee you know what Bowles was thinking, nice try but no cigar. I’m pretty sure it has been discussed here almost a million times that Bowles is too conservative. Bowles goes out and fights for Baker to come here because he trusts his ability to quaterback. He gets here and does BETTER than almost anyone thought he could and Bowles doesn’t trust him all of a sudden…right. Man that is one weak take. Who did Baker beat in college that you liked? There is something obviously there with you. Besides, you are missing the original point. You said “When you need a score in a tight game he doesn’t rise to the occasion” I do believe I just pointed out that Bakie can and does EXACTLY what you said he cant. Monday night lights, superbowl team, drove late and scored late. It doesnt get any bigger Bee. There are 11 other times Baker has done exactly that. So you saying what YOU SAID just isn’t true, is it??
August 13th, 2025 at 1:45 am
Bee, they mistrust Baker so much, they just guaranteed him $30 million. Which just happens to be one of the top amounts per year in the league. In who’s universe does that sound like they mistrust him to make a 15 yard “toss”?? It’s Ohio State isn’t it Bee? He planted the flag and you are still upset.
August 13th, 2025 at 6:29 am
Davyboy, those people who were upset by Mayfield’s flag plant weren’t there when those dirty Buckeyes were singing their fight song at midfield in Norman the year before. Payback. Pure and Simple.
August 13th, 2025 at 7:31 am
Gotta stay healthy Baker.Krazy my Doctor and I yesterday were talking about Baker when he was in Cleveland. Oh I live in Northeast Ohio sorry, Cleveland absolutely fudge up by letting him go hatting to go…..saying he is a top 12 QB ….I wanted him ever since he flagged Ohio State loved it ..me being a osu fan saying dam browns need a QB with balls like that.
August 13th, 2025 at 7:48 am
Baker Mayfield haven’t won nothing yet until he can elevate his team in the playoffs when the game is on the line he’s just another Alex Smith, Tony Romo type of quarterback . With a good team around them they can put good stats and maybe even go to a pro bowl or 2 but can’t get you to a conference championship or a Superbowl. To me he has to prove that first because winning a trash division ain’t that big of deal just to lose in the first and second round playoffs.
August 13th, 2025 at 3:56 pm
NFL RECORD:Baker Mayfield owns the longest drive, 98 yards, under 2 minutes in the game, with ZERO(0) timeouts remaining. Final play:a perfectly thrown pass to Van Jefferson who was covered very good with 9 seconds left in the game. Boys it doesn’t get any better than that. All done after spending 48 hours learning a very complex playbook. Baker Mayfield is a baller!!!
August 13th, 2025 at 4:12 pm
He also has the record for the longest throw in a game. Longest throw and the longest drive. Also rookie record for most touchdowns and did it while playing 2 or 3 games less. Mayfield is a record setting machine and he plays for the Bucs.
August 13th, 2025 at 4:30 pm
The 4000/40/70 club.
An elite group of quarterbacks where up until 2024 only 3 nfl quarterbacks ever achieved its level of play. Drew Brees, Aaron Rogers and Joe Burrow. But now, for the first time ever, a Tampa Bay Buccaneer has qualified to be added to this elite group. None other than our number one franchise quarterback Baker Mayfield!! Good job BM6. Let’s get after it in 2025!!