Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Gets 'Top 10' Endorsement

Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield Gets ‘Top 10’ Endorsement originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

When talking about some of the greatest career resurgences in NFL history, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and his story might be in the conversation.

From being on the scrap heap a couple of years ago, Baker landed in Tampa Bay and has never looked back. Division titles, a playoff win, and multiple Pro Bowls in two seasons have improved Mayfield’s stature in the league.

And now he might have gotten the best endorsement yet.

Hall of Famer and Buccaneers legend Ronde Barber, when speaking on The Ronde Barber Show, gave Baker his flowers for what he’s done in Tampa since arriving.

“The leadership qualities just jump out at you,” Barber said. “The dude makes tough plays in tough situations. He elevates the entire team. Baker’s a top 10 quarterback for me, man. I don’t see how anybody can say otherwise.”

“He’s had a new coordinator every single year of his career, including this year. And I don’t know that it matters. The guy just elevates his game to whatever level he needs it to be at.”

It’s hard to argue with any of that based on the last two seasons, with Mayfield elevating himself into the upper echelon of quarterbacks in football.

Last season, a career-best season yielded 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdowns while having a completion percentage of 71.4. Yes, the 16 interceptions are a blight, but other than that, Baker has been rolling.

Now, looking ahead to the 2025 season, the Buccaneers are considered NFC dark horses, with some thinking that, given the talent at Baker’s disposal, a Super Bowl run isn’t out of the realm of possibility for this team.

Yes, that is some high praise, but this Buccaneers team, led by Mayfield, deserves to be mentioned as one of the better teams in football.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.