Ex-MVP Quarterback Says Baker Mayfield Is An Elite Closer
September 10th, 2025
Fourth-quarter comeback No. 4 of Baker Mayfield’s tenure in Tampa caught the eye of a former league MVP.
Retired quarterback Rich Gannon, the 2002 MVP, has seen enough of the revitalized version of Baker Mayfield in Tampa.
Speaking on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week, Gannon launched into a moving explanation of Mayfield’s greatness. And Gannon is no Jon Gruden, who slobbers over every player because he loves every one of them and rarely will critique because he wants to get back into coaching.
Gannon calls it straight when it comes to quarterback play. He says Mayfield is among future Hall of Fame quarterbacks when it comes to crunch time.
“On a day where Bucky Irving was held to 37 rushing yards on 14 carries, this [Bucs] team has a belief system, and there’s a handful of quarterbacks in the league that get your attention late in the game,” Gannon said.
“Like if you’re the Bucs, you always think that with Baker Mayfield with the ball in his hands at the end of the game, ‘we got a chance.’ And I think what’s special about players like Mayfield and Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes and those type of players — and I think Mayfield’s in that group when you talk about his performance late in games — Baker Mayfield has belief system in himself, a belief in himself that is is way up on the charts.
“Now you could say it’s a borderline, you know, overly confident, arrogant or whatever, I think he’s a different player than he was when he was in Cleveland. I think he’s matured. I think he’s a more humble player. But he’s never lost the inner belief that he can get it done with a little bit of time left on the clock. And I think it’s the teammates know that. The coaches know that. But what’s special about him is the opponents know that. Like you know with this guy with the ball in his hands, like something bad could happen if we don’t find a way to get him on the ground. And I still think he’s one of the hardest quarterbacks to sack. Not the biggest guy, but he is slippery in the pocket.”
Powerful stuff from Gannon.
Yes, the Bucs have a true franchise quarterback.
September 10th, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Thank you Cleveland Browns! Man oh man, it could have been another lost decade post TB12, had we not brought in Baker! Next up, contract extension!
September 10th, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Night game coming up…I’ll be holding my breath for most of the game.
On both sides of the ball.
September 10th, 2025 at 1:15 pm
What you talking about, Joe? Yesterday, Mayfield needed an intervention, now today he’s a “true franchise QB”. Think you boys down at JBF world HQ need to step away from Grandpa’s cough medicine.
September 10th, 2025 at 1:17 pm
Everything Gannon said is true. While he isn’t Josh Allen or Lamar, he doesn’t have to be to win a championship. The Bucs need to extend him this offseason, hopefully with a contract that doesn’t break the Bucs from keeping core talent. If he can stay healthy he’s got a solid 5 years left of being a very good QB1. That’s a giant window of opportunity for the Bucs to add another Lombardi trophy.
September 10th, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Seems like all the praise we see here can be applied to many nfl teams. Exceptions being glaring flops like The Carolina Shrimp.
September 10th, 2025 at 1:26 pm
Yes Baker has become truly “Born Again “ in Tampa and we as fans are lucky to have him as our QB on the field and what he brings off the Field. Go Bucs!!
September 10th, 2025 at 1:31 pm
So choking in the 4th quarter of his last two playoff games doesn’t count, but a week one win does? LOL!
It was a great win on Sunday, that doesn’t make him an ‘elite closer’ – not until he does it when it matters the most.
September 10th, 2025 at 1:47 pm
Bucs hit the lottery in getting Baker Mayfield.
September 10th, 2025 at 2:02 pm
I can’t disagree with that assessment. Bring on Houston! Once again, this is a must win game! The Buc’s need to win as many as possible being down so many starters.
September 10th, 2025 at 2:33 pm
@ Rod Munch__You’re either dumb A F or just a butt-hurt TRASKTARD.
September 10th, 2025 at 2:36 pm
Gannon is right on. When Baker is zig-zagging through with the ball I hold my breath that he doesn’t get tackled. He has that grit throughout. We are so lucky he came to the Bucs and found a home.
September 10th, 2025 at 2:41 pm
I wonder what high school Trask will be coaching at.
September 10th, 2025 at 2:44 pm
heyjude, I think he’s so lucky to have found Tampa and I’m certain that he feels the same way!
September 10th, 2025 at 2:53 pm
An elite closer?…smh. Not yet he isn’t. If he was, the entire league would fear him at the end games, and that’s not a thing, especially against better football teams.
Without the name calling, can we debate on the subject, or we’re simply going to grovel at Bakers feet as if he’s the second coming of Drew Brees?
Baker has been notorious for getting us almost there, yet on final drives, in tie games, or down by 3 pts, Falcons game being a great example, in past situations, typically we end up settling for 3 pts. And at that point, we’re blaming Bowles, and not Baker, which is BS. Last season, the 49ers gifted us a trip to the 9-yard line, and we only end up with 3. We get 6 there, perhaps different outcome. Playoffs vs Washington, we had an amazing final drive, then we fizzle 3 plays later, 6 pts there vs 3 pts, and it’s a different game for Washington’s final drive. That’s just one of several examples where Baker has not been elite in final moments of games. When we settle for 3 during those games we then go back to blaming it on Bowles and/or the defense, its BS, we know def is NOT the strength of this team and contrary to fans opinions on here… the def has had moments were they did their job, made a key stop, giving the offense and chance and the offense failed to close.
AND YET… props to Baker against ATL. He did not have a good game passing last Sunday. Offense never found any rthym, and yet he was clutch getting that 6 pts in that final drive. First time Chase “almost” chokes away the game for us. Most of our season will come down to a single possession and we need this version of Baker to get us 6 pts. He does this and we’re going deep this year.
September 10th, 2025 at 3:00 pm
If Munch knew anything about real football, he wouldn’t say such dumb things. He can’t help himself. Have been over this ground many times with Munch. He actually knows the truth but refuses to acknowledge it because so much of his ego was invested in bath mouthing Mayfield’s arrival in Tampa to begin with.
I can spot a high school band member when I see one. Munch played lead French horn and was envious of the boys who played football. Most athletes are slow to criticize fellow athletes. Munch was never an athlete as is obvious from his shallow and untruthful remarks.
September 10th, 2025 at 3:21 pm
Bass drum is easier and more repetitive.
September 10th, 2025 at 3:23 pm
Well, he’d have more 4th quarter comebacks if he played for a team with even a below average defense. Todd let the Penix drive right down the field with less than a minute left. In Houston in 2023, it only took CJ Stroud 45 seconds to go 70 yards and get a game winning TD. The KC blown game. The Niners blown game. Last year’s Falcons.
Too bad the defense isn’t a closer. They suck in crunch time.
September 10th, 2025 at 4:09 pm
@darengibo: LOVE the positive take. True my friend.
@Durango 95: What ever.
September 10th, 2025 at 4:21 pm
Kenton – True that! Browns loss, our gain.
September 10th, 2025 at 4:30 pm
bakers great. not perfect. none of them are. baker will give everything he has to get it done. he is a gambler and a scrambler and i’d call him elite just for the fact that he was able to come back from his time in bouncing around the league and re-establish himself the last few years. he scrambled in life the same way he does on the field and it’s impressive to me. lol at the browns.
September 10th, 2025 at 5:21 pm
Well, well well, another professional football analysts saying Baker is “greatness” and an “elite” closer. Didn’t someone on here just the other day say Baker couldn’t close out games? Who was that pray tell? It seems like everyone is getting in on the talk about Baker being elite lately, strange thing isn’t it?? He put ol’ Bakie in the Allen, Jackson and Mahomes group too, didnt he Rod? 🤣 Did we notice that? LMAO. It’s been a while since I read the article but didn’t he mention Bakie was among HOF closers? Yep I’m certain he said that. Oh how some people love being made to look like fools on a regular basis. You can’t make stuff like this up and the cream just keeps on risin…
September 10th, 2025 at 5:53 pm
Can we bring Baker’s wife along on these night road games to wear him out a little, so he doesn’t wake up too early?
September 10th, 2025 at 5:54 pm
Baker Boi(s)… Having a game winning drive in week 1 is great, but coming up big in the playoffs, going on a winning drive in the 4th quarter of a playoff game is what makes a QB elite.
You know who would agree with me? Baker Mayfield.
You know who would saying you’re an idiot for saying a week 1 win is more important than the last two playoff games? Baker Mayfield.
You fan boi(s) are insane, and what’s why everyone hates you.
I will pray for you.
God bless.
September 10th, 2025 at 7:25 pm
Enough BS with the Baker Bois, Mr French and the Trask bashers, grow up already. Mayfield is a solid QB but they don’t win or lose the game alone.
September 10th, 2025 at 8:13 pm
Todd’s pass defense does a fine job of losing games all by itself.
September 10th, 2025 at 9:15 pm
Mayfield is a tougher, faster version of Drew Brees. Im going to keep saying that. Similar origin stories in a way
September 10th, 2025 at 9:56 pm
DrunkInYbor – agreed. Right now, Baker’s pocket elusiveness and scrambling ability to get first downs, keep plays alive and generally fire up his teammates are a way bigger part of his game than it was for Brees. As age and goons start wearing on that ability, hopefully he develops the accuracy and judgment like Brees did. If he does, we’re good for another 6-8 years with Baker as one of the league’s best.
Thank you Cleveland!
September 10th, 2025 at 10:47 pm
Hey Rod, it must really bother you that all these professional football analysts are using words like “greatness” “elite” to describe our quarterback. No one on this thread said a word about Baker other than repeat what the analysts’ all are saying. So AGAIN YOU ARE WRONG. And I don’t think these analysts are making a snap judgemental on Baker like you say they are. Wrong again. It’s what he has done over 2 years that they are looking at but you are too busy hating on Baker to even see the truth. You live and breath for Baker to play bad is the sad part. Don’t you ever get tired of constantly being wrong??
September 10th, 2025 at 11:14 pm
Those 2 passes to EE were elite though. On 3rd and 2, BOOM both were great calls by Josh and perfectly executed by Baker and EE.
Just out of reach of the defenders on both touchdowns. EE is going to be money! He really is different like Baker has been saying. We are in for a fun season. If Godwin comes back strong, surgical & deadly will be the offense.
September 11th, 2025 at 12:40 am
I’m trying to figure out how many championships Lamar or Josh have? Lamar is the ultimate chocker in big PLAYOFF GAMES! Who was drafted by a playoff team. Not the mistake on the lake Clowns
September 11th, 2025 at 1:29 am
If Baker had the defense we all hoped for….He would have a couple more.
Go Bucs!
September 11th, 2025 at 1:31 am
Formerbrownsfan speaking the truth👍🏼
Can you imagine being drafted as a quarterback to the Chiefs? What a gift. What a game changer. Well, looks like that magic is running out. Maybe the #1 coach in the league is getting tired. He does make $20 mil a year as the #1 coach and maybe he doesn’t feel the need to work quite as hard now. Meanwhile, we have the 27th. I like Todd but a great “HC” he isnt, he just isnt. But he does have a great eye for talent, he sure does. All that matters. Maybe it’s the OL not being rated in the top 5 like they have always been since Mahomes was drafted? Who knows but it has been gone for 2 years now. If our boy Baker had those circumstances to work under he would have considerably more achievements to his name. But I am sure the haters can’t see or admit to that. That would be too hard for them to figure out. But that’s all right, Baker just needs a little of it to take off. And the guys who judge this stuff for a living are taking notice and we are the ones that are going to benefit from it all.
September 11th, 2025 at 3:34 am
garro Says:
September 11th, 2025 at 1:29 am
If Baker had the defense we all hoped for….He would have a couple more.
——–
You mean like a defense that makes a huge 4th quarter goal line stand, that gives the ball back to the offense with a chance to go up two scores and put the game away? If only Baker had such a defense…
September 11th, 2025 at 5:18 am
True franchise quarterback !
September 11th, 2025 at 5:42 am
Two things about Baker. First he is a gamer and he has a knack for his escapability in the pocket. While I can’t say he has a signature win to extend our
playoff success, he wasn’t the reason we lost to commanders. Going for it on fourth down in the last game was a good move by Bowles. Keep inspiring the team by relying on the offense to keep moving the ball. His faith in the team has
to be front and center to get farther into the playoffs. the more aggressive the offense will help us pull away from teams instead being in close games with our opponent having a chance to win at the end of the game.