Baker Mayfield Does What Very Few Have in Week 5

Sunday afternoon football fans got a treat: the Buccaneers edged out the Seahawks 31-24. But beyond the score, Baker Mayfield did something historic. He delivered the sharpest, cleanest game of his career: 29-of-33 for 379 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 134.7 passer rating. That performance made him the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 375 yards while completing more than 87% of his passes, which is a stat line that belongs in the record books.

Let’s go back to 2018. That’s when Mayfield entered the NFL as the Browns’ top pick, expected to be their next Tim Couch– a quarterback who could pull the offense together. But injuries and inconsistent play led to his exit. Cleveland wanted someone always on the field, someone less fragile. Fast forward: the Browns brought in Deshaun Watson, and Mayfield? He’s reinvented himself in Tampa Bay. Looking at what he’s become, it’s hard not to wonder if the Browns made a mistake.

After bouncing between the Panthers and the Rams, Mayfield finally found his groove with the Buccaneers. Post-Brady, expectations were modest. Tampa Bay wasn’t counting on him to rewrite the record books or almost restore the offense to Brady-era heights. But under coach Liam Cohen, Mayfield has thrived. He’s no longer the Cleveland disappointment, he’s the Oklahoma college star reborn.

Week 5 against Seattle was a statement as Mayfield had a 87.9% completion rate (the highest in Bucs history) Zero interceptions. 379 passing yards. Suddenly, Mayfield belongs in the conversation with legends like Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Tom Brady.

“For me to see that, I had to hit rock bottom. God had to take my career down to the studs so I could see I’m more than just a football player.”
—Baker Mayfield, 2025, Sports Spectrum

Mayfield is rising from the rubble, carving out a legacy on his own terms. No more chasing headlines because he’s earning respect and proving he belongs among the NFL greats. Next up: the 49ers. Expect a battle, but one where the Bucs, led by Mayfield, will be ready to deliver.