Baker Mayfield’s journey through the NFL has been anything but conventional, but it’s a story that has culminated in a well-earned and long-awaited achievement. The former Oklahoma quarterback, now a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has been added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster for the 2025 season. This marks a significant milestone in Mayfield’s career, especially after navigating through the highs and lows of the NFL over the past few years.
His inclusion in the Pro Bowl isn’t just about individual achievement—it’s a reflection of his resilience, the turnaround of his career, and the growth he’s shown as a player since entering the league. While his time in Cleveland was full of promise but ultimately ended in frustration, Mayfield has now found a new home in Tampa Bay, where his play has reestablished his standing as one of the league’s most intriguing quarterbacks.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into Mayfield’s NFL journey, explore the reasons behind his Pro Bowl selection, and discuss what this recognition means for both him and the Buccaneers moving forward.
### A Rocky Start in Cleveland
Baker Mayfield’s NFL career began with so much hope. Drafted by the Cleveland Browns as the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Mayfield entered the league with massive expectations. He quickly captured the attention of fans and analysts alike, setting the NFL record for most touchdown passes by a rookie and leading the Browns to their first playoff appearance in over a decade in 2020.
Despite that early success, the pressure mounted in Cleveland. The expectations for Mayfield were sky-high, but he struggled with consistency and injuries, particularly in the second half of his time with the Browns. While his first few seasons showed promise, the team never seemed to reach its full potential, and tensions grew between Mayfield and the front office. The Browns eventually moved on, opting to acquire Deshaun Watson in a blockbuster trade and leaving Mayfield to find a new home.
Though he showed flashes of brilliance in Cleveland, the overall trajectory of his time with the Browns was clouded by questions about his ability to elevate the team and perform in big moments. In 2022, after the Browns’ trade for Watson, Mayfield was traded to the Carolina Panthers, where he had a brief and underwhelming stint. His performance in Carolina didn’t do much to re-establish his reputation, but it provided him with an opportunity to look ahead to the next chapter in his career.
### A Fresh Start in Tampa Bay
After his time in Carolina ended, Baker Mayfield found himself signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023. The Buccaneers were coming off a tumultuous post-Tom Brady era, as they sought a new leader at the quarterback position. In Mayfield, they found a talented, albeit inconsistent, signal-caller who had the potential to revive his career and lead the Bucs into a new era.
In 2023, Tampa Bay had a talented roster, but questions about the quarterback position loomed large after Brady’s retirement. Mayfield wasn’t viewed as the most obvious answer, but his competitive spirit, arm strength, and leadership skills gave the Buccaneers something to work with. The 2023 season started with a mix of optimism and doubt as Mayfield took the reins. The narrative surrounding him was clear: could he return to the form that made him a number-one overall pick?
Mayfield’s early play in Tampa Bay wasn’t perfect, but it was effective. He led the team to an early winning record and showed his ability to manage games and make key plays in critical moments. His performance in the second half of the season was particularly notable. Mayfield started to find a rhythm in the Bucs’ offense, often playing with a chip on his shoulder to prove that he still belonged at the top level of the league.
His confidence grew as the season progressed, and with it, his play improved. While Tampa Bay ultimately didn’t make the playoffs, Mayfield’s performance throughout the year caught the attention of voters, and his strong play helped him secure a spot in the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.
### Pro Bowl Selection: A Reflection of Growth
Baker Mayfield’s Pro Bowl selection is a testament to his resilience, growth, and ability to adapt. This recognition isn’t about one magical season—it’s a culmination of several years of hard work, self-reflection, and overcoming adversity. After bouncing between teams and enduring a rollercoaster career, Mayfield has finally earned the respect he has long sought in the NFL.
There are several factors that contributed to Mayfield’s Pro Bowl selection. Let’s break down some of the key reasons why he deserved this honor:
#### 1. **Improved Consistency**
One of the biggest knocks on Mayfield during his earlier years in the NFL was his inconsistency. In Cleveland, he would often show flashes of brilliance followed by stretches of erratic play. His ability to string together sustained, high-level performances was questioned, and that became one of the primary reasons for his departure from the Browns. In Tampa Bay, however, Mayfield has worked hard to improve his consistency. Over the course of the 2024 season, he developed a more disciplined approach to his play, minimizing turnovers and managing the game more effectively.
#### 2. **Rebounding from Adversity**
Few quarterbacks in the league have faced the kind of adversity that Mayfield has. From the highs of being the first overall pick and leading the Browns to their first playoff berth in years, to the lows of being traded twice in three years, his journey has been filled with challenges. Despite those challenges, Mayfield has always managed to rebound. His ability to find a new home in Tampa Bay and produce solid performances amidst all the changes is a testament to his mental toughness.
#### 3. **Leadership and Poise**
Mayfield has always been known for his fiery competitive nature and his ability to rally teammates. In Tampa Bay, that leadership became even more pronounced. He was able to earn the trust of his teammates, which helped elevate the entire team’s performance. A quarterback’s ability to inspire and lead a locker room is invaluable, and Mayfield’s leadership has been a crucial factor in his resurgence.
#### 4. **Solid Statistics and Impactful Plays**
Mayfield’s numbers in 2024 reflected his growth as a quarterback. While he didn’t put up gaudy numbers like some of his Pro Bowl counterparts, his ability to make key throws and orchestrate efficient drives was vital for Tampa Bay. He finished the season with over 4,000 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and only 12 interceptions—solid numbers that proved he can still be a productive and effective quarterback at the NFL level.
### What This Means for Mayfield’s Future
For Baker Mayfield, making the Pro Bowl is not just about adding a prestigious accolade to his career—it’s about reaffirming that he can be a winning quarterback in the NFL. His career may have had its ups and downs, but this recognition proves that he still has what it takes to be one of the top quarterbacks in the league. His journey from being the No. 1 overall pick to being written off by many and now back as a Pro Bowler is a story of perseverance that will inspire future generations of players.
For the Buccaneers, having Mayfield as a Pro Bowl quarterback is a huge win. The team has been searching for its next great leader since Tom Brady’s retirement, and while the road ahead may still have some bumps, Mayfield’s success gives the franchise a reason to be optimistic about its future. His performance in the Pro Bowl will only raise his profile and possibly attract even more interest from other players and fans alike.
### Conclusion
Baker Mayfield’s inclusion in the NFC Pro Bowl roster is a major accomplishment for a quarterback who has faced more than his fair share of challenges throughout his career. His journey from top pick to underdog to Pro Bowler is a story of perseverance, adaptability, and growth. It serves as a reminder that success in the NFL isn’t always linear, and sometimes, the greatest achievements come after the toughest battles. As Mayfield prepares for the Pro Bowl and beyond, this moment represents more than just recognition—it’s a new chapter in what promises to be a compelling NFL career.