Baker Mayfield’s play in 2026 will not just determine his own future with the Bucs, but it will say a lot about which direction the team will take in what is lining up to be a franchise-altering season. After it appeared that Mayfield was picking up where he left off last year as a game-changing gunslinger, his play cratered down the stretch as Tampa Bay limped to the finish line.
Despite playing at arguably a top 5 level in 2024, his disappointing 2025 has knocked him down a tier in the Pro Football Focus’ quarterback rankings ahead of the 2026 season.
Baker Mayfield Ranks As The 18th Best QB In The NFL Entering 2026
Coming off his worst season with the Bucs since signing with the team in 2023, it is no surprise that Baker Mayfield ranks lower in PFF’s rankings. Dalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick ranked Mayfield as the 18th-best signal-caller, having this to say:
Mayfield endured a roller-coaster 2025 season, recording 28 big-time throws and 28 turnover-worthy plays. The latter led the NFL and was a major reason the Buccaneers missed the postseason for the first time since 2019.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: IMAGN Images
Things seemed to be going smoothly for Mayfield before Mike Evans suffered a broken collarbone in Week 7. Evans returned in Week 15, but from Weeks 7 through 18, Mayfield earned just a 56.2 PFF passing grade while throwing 14 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. His scrambling ability, evidenced by a league-leading 6.9 yards per carry, helped keep the offense afloat. However, Mayfield will have to adjust to his first season in Tampa Bay without Evans as a receiving option.
It is one thing for Mayfield to not be among the league’s top 10 quarterbacks. There is an impressive list of quality players at the position. Still, seeing him fall from grace to 18th is hard to believe and just as disrespectful as ESPN’s ranking of Tampa Bay’s offensive playmakers.
Bucs WR Chris Godwin Jr. and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR
At his best, he provides top 10 play and has recently shown capable of doing that for a full year. When looking at the list 12-17, it is difficult seeing him rank below:
Jayden Daniels
Caleb Williams
Sam Darnold
Jalen Hurts
Jared Goff
C.J. Stroud
It is comical to see Goff ranked so low, as he is the most efficient passer of the above group, including Mayfield. Daniels and Williams have high ceilings but are ranked more for their promise. The rest of the group seems properly slotted relating to Darnold and Hurts, with Stroud being a tad bit too high.
Mayfield has to earn his ranking back into the upper echelon, but he deserves to be in the middle class between 12th-14th. Anything lower does not properly credit him for what he is capable of — including how he is once again positioned to climb up the list in 2026.
Baker Mayfield Has A Lot Going For Him With 2026 Bucs
This is not the first nor the last time Baker Mayfield will be discredited by the national media. The chip on his shoulder has gotten larger and being doubted has been a theme of his football career. Entering 2026, there are plenty of reasons to doubt how the Bucs will fare.
Bucs HC Todd Bowles and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Mayfield’s ability to lead the offense should not be one of them.
The unit is in a better spot with offensive coordinator Zac Robinson calling the shots. That claim is not baseless, given Robinson’s play-calling track record and offensive influence from Rams head coach Sean McVay. While Dalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick pointed to the absence of Mike Evans, the addition of third-round pick Ted Hurst to a wide receiver room featuring Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, and Tez Johnson means a surplus of quality targets remain.
Throw in two of the best safety-blanket receivers out of the backfield in Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell, and there is plenty at Mayfield’s disposal to get back to playing at a higher level.
Should he and the rest of the crew stay healthy, these rankings should look a lot different entering 2027.