Tampa Bay Buccaneers Baker Mayfield Named "Most Competitive" NFL Quarterback By ESPN

ESPN sees Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield as the most competitive in the league.

Dec 1, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) looks to pass in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has had one of the more interesting careers for an NFL quarterback after being the first overall pick, almost being shunned into a backup role for the rest of his career, and then the resurrection of that said career.

A lot has happened in Baker's career, but he has found solace in Tampa Bay since becoming the starter for the team just a season ago after Tom Brady retired. Since his arrival, Mayfield has been tremendous and this season he has even upped his game to an entirely different level as he is perhaps having the best statistical season of his career.

The career arc of Mayfield speaks for itself, but there are a ton of other ways to describe the veteran quarterback. Moxie, hard-working, a players player, confident, a gunslinger, assertive, unflappable, and the list goes on and on, but according to ESPN Staff Writer Matt Bowen he believes that Baker is the most competitive quarterback across the entire league when listing out the NFL's best skillsets.

READ MORE: ESPN Analyst Gives Buccaneers Best Chance to Sneak into Playoffs Ahead of Week 14

"Mayfield has kept the Bucs in the NFC South race with his competitive playing style," wrote Matt Bowen. "His 25 touchdown passes are the third most in the league (including seven in the fourth quarter), and he has added 229 rushing yards. That's a guy I'd want to coach."

While it is hard to dismiss what Bowen wrote, it is easy to see that he didn't even touch on Mayfield's intangibles that make him the most competitive quarterback in the league. From comeback victories, putting his body on the line, and blocking for teammates to making magical plays happen once the pocket collapses, Baker Mayfield is beloved by his teammates and organization because of his competitive fire to win and get better every single day.

The Buccaneers and Mayfield are in the midst of one of the most important stretches of the season as they control their destiny to make the playoffs, and they will need every ounce of his competitiveness if they want to make it back to there for a fifth straight season.

---

Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2024 season.

Follow BucsGameday on Twitter and Facebook

More Tampa Bay Buccaneers News

• Buccaneers WR Mike Evans Nominated for NFL's Most Prestigious Award

• Gerald McCoy Calls Out 'Spoiled' Buccaneers Fans Complaining About Todd Bowles

• Panthers Team Captain Apologizes for Trying to Call Out Buccaneers Player

• Bucs Rookie RB Earns NFC Offensive Player of the Week vs. Panthers