Baker Mayfield cracks the NFL Top 50, joining teammates Lavonte David & Vita Vea. See why his stellar 2024 season earned him league-wide respect from peers.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The rest of the league is officially on notice. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has been named the 50th best player in the NFL on the annual Top 100 list, a powerful validation of his spectacular 2024 comeback season. Joining teammates Lavonte David (No. 96) and Vita Vea (No. 76), Mayfield's ranking solidifies his status as the team's franchise leader and caps a day of overwhelmingly positive buzz surrounding the organization.
The Buccaneers' run defense... has not allowed an opponent to rush for 100 yards in nine consecutive games.
Mayfield's spot in the top 50 comes after a career-best performance in 2024, where he threw for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions. But the numbers only tell half the story. The reveal was packed with testimonials from teammates like Rachaad White and Tristan Wirfs, and even rivals like Saints safety J.T. Gray and 49ers QB Brock Purdy, who recounted a memorable play highlighting Mayfield's fierce competitiveness. It's clear that the swagger and leadership Mayfield brought to Tampa are now recognized and respected across the league.
That on-field success is being built on a rock-solid foundation. Former Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden praised the organization's continuity, crediting GM Jason Licht and Head Coach Todd Bowles for steering the ship to three straight division titles. Gruden highlighted the team's resilience last season, roaring back from a mid-season slump to win six of their final seven games. This sentiment was echoed by another franchise legend, Hall of Famer Tony Dungy, who joined the Pewter Report Podcast to discuss the positive culture being cultivated at training camp.
Speaking of camp, any hearts that skipped a beat when Mayfield missed a recent practice can start beating normally again. Coach Todd Bowles confirmed the absence was for a minor issue, calling it 'basically nothing.' While the QB1 is fine, a new face is turning heads. Bowles couldn't help but praise rookie cornerback Benjamin Morrison, highlighting the Notre Dame product's intelligence and how quickly he's absorbing the defensive playbook. It's a great sign for a secondary looking to add young, dynamic talent.
While the offense and its leader grab the headlines, the defense is quietly forging an identity of pure dominance. The Bucs are currently riding a staggering nine-game streak of not allowing an opponent to rush for 100 yards. Anchored by the explosive Calijah Kancey and the immovable Vita Vea, this run defense has become the team's calling card, suffocating opposing offenses and setting a physical tone every single week. This isn't just a good defense; it's becoming an elite one.
With a validated franchise quarterback, praise from legends, a stable leadership core, and a defense playing at a historic level, all the pieces are falling into place. The minor bumps of training camp are being overshadowed by major signs of strength. The goal isn't just a fifth straight division title; it's about making a deep, sustained run in January. All eyes are on what's next, and for the Buccaneers, the future looks incredibly bright.
