All of the 2024 NFL Most Valuable Player attention has been on the Buffalo Bills ‘ Josh Allen, the Baltimore Ravens ‘ Lamar Jackson and now the Cincinnati Bengals ‘ Joe Burrow — and rightfully so.
Don’t count out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ‘ Baker Mayfield to at least earn some votes, though.
In an ordinary season, the numbers Mayfield is putting up would earn him some consideration to win MVP. He’s thrown for 4,279 yards and 39 touchdowns, and he’s done it with a revolving door of offensive weapons due to injuries.
Both of Mayfield’s top receivers, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, have missed significant playing time in 2024 while starting tight end Cade Otton is currently injured as well. Yet Mayfield continues to sling it every week, and his 359-yard, five-touchdown performance against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday was one of the best of his career.
Mayfield has thrown for more passing yards this season than both Allen and Jackson, and has a better completion percentage (71.7) than Burrow. He ranks third in both total yards and total touchdowns , and he’s fourth in Passer Rating. He’s having a top-five season among all NFL signal-callers, no matter how one slices it.