Bucs' Baker Mayfield snubbed from NFL Top 100 list after career year

When quarterback Baker Mayfield arrived in Tampa Bay prior to the 2023 season, not many had lofty expectations for him. Mayfield had an unceremonious exit from his first team, the Cleveland Browns , just one year after leading them to their first playoff win in nearly 30 years. After leaving Cleveland, Mayfield spent some time with the Carolina Panthers before landing with the Los Angeles Rams to fill in for injured starting quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Not many expected much from Mayfield in 2023. Certainly not a career revitalization. But that’s exactly what the veteran quarterback pulled off. Not only did Mayfield grab the starting job in Tampa and run with it, he turned in the best season of his career in his first year with the Bucs. Mayfield had his first season with over 4,000 yards passing, threw a career-high 28 touchdowns, and finished third in Comeback Player of the Year voting on his way to his first career Pro Bowl.

And yet, somehow it still wasn’t enough to make the NFL’s top 100 list. The NFL has been unveiling their yearly top 100 list – as voted on by players around the league – and on Monday the league unveiled the players who just barely missed the list . Coming in at #102, Mayfield was just behind Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney on the outside looking in.

Mayfield will get another chance to make the list this season, as the Bucs have gone from worrying about the future of their franchise at the position to looking like they’re in good hands with Mayfield.