Baker Mayfield has become a central figure for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, combining skill and determination to energize the franchise. Since his arrival, he has thrown a total of 81 touchdowns, including playoff games, positioning himself as one of the NFL’s more productive quarterbacks. His leadership has helped the Buccaneers secure consecutive NFC South championships, revitalizing a team that struggled before his tenure.
Despite these successes, Mayfield’s tendency to lose possession raises concerns. His turnovers—interceptions and fumbles—have sparked debate about whether he can ascend to the ranks of the league’s best quarterbacks.
Ongoing Struggles with Turnovers
Mayfield’s touchdown production is impressive, but his turnover record remains a significant issue. Since joining Tampa Bay, he has thrown more interceptions than any other quarterback in the NFL, totaling 26 in the regular season and 28 including playoffs. He is also tied with Lamar Jackson for the highest number of fumbles, with 21 during the regular season and 22 when postseason games are included.
Advanced analytics shed light on these concerns. Pro Football Focus tracks Turnover-Worthy Plays (TWP), a metric identifying passes likely to result in interceptions or mishandling. In 2024, Mayfield ranked third in the league with 24 TWPs, reflecting a troubling trend consistent with his 2023 performance. Although some may point out that only two of his 13 fumbles in 2024 were lost, the threat these turnovers pose to maintaining drives and controlling momentum remains a critical challenge for both Mayfield and the Buccaneers.
Balancing Accuracy with Risk
While turnover issues persist, Mayfield’s passing efficiency deserves recognition. In 2024, he ranked fifth in pass attempts across the NFL, completing 71.4% of those throws. His strength lies in short and intermediate passes, a tactic well supported by Tampa Bay’s offensive game plan. Though his average air yards per attempt stands at 28th, reflecting limited downfield opportunities, his precision and poise during key moments have been encouraging.
Mayfield’s success rate—a measure of effective passing on various downs—was 53.9% in 2024 despite enduring 40 sacks. This rate places him just behind Jared Goff, highlighting his ability to produce consistent results under pressure and contributing to the Buccaneers’ competitiveness throughout the season.
How Mayfield’s Performance Compares Across the NFL
Examining Mayfield’s stats in the context of the league offers perspective on his dual legacy. Although he leads with the most interceptions, top players like Patrick Mahomes also struggle with turnovers yet maintain high performance levels. This contrast illustrates how a quarterback’s offensive output can sometimes mitigate the consequences of mistakes.
Mayfield’s approach, often described as a “gunslinger mentality,” results in both thrilling plays and costly errors. The Buccaneers have benefited from his ability to make game-changing decisions, with positive plays often outweighing the setbacks.
Future Outlook for Mayfield and the Buccaneers
As Baker Mayfield enters his third season with Tampa Bay, the key challenge is whether he can improve ball security. His evident talent shows that he has the potential for greatness, but reducing turnovers is essential to advancing his standing among NFL elites.
In a league where small mistakes can alter a team’s fate, Mayfield’s success will depend on balancing his aggressive style with more disciplined decision-making. The next season represents a pivotal moment for him to solidify his role not just as a prolific scorer but as a dependable leader who minimizes errors.
The Buccaneers and their fans hope Mayfield can maintain his dynamic playmaking while tightening control over the ball. Although turnover concerns persist, his potential remains a bright spot for the team’s future in Tampa Bay.