Baker Mayfield Is the NFL’s MVP Through Five Weeks
- Aaron Silcoff
- Oct 7
- 2 min read

Through the first five weeks of the NFL season, Baker Mayfield is the MVP. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, despite being riddled with injuries to key players like Mike Evans and several offensive linemen, continue to win football games — and it’s all because of Mayfield.
Chris Godwin didn’t even play until Week 4, and the only consistent weapon Mayfield has had is rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka, who already looks like a future superstar. Now, even running back Bucky Irving is set to miss a couple of weeks, yet the Buccaneers sit at 4–1 with four game-winning drives from Mayfield.
As someone who was in the building on Sunday when the Buccaneers went up against my Seattle Seahawks, I can tell you firsthand how nervous I was when Mayfield got the ball with a chance to tie the game late in the fourth quarter — and then again after Sam Darnold’s late game interception, Mayfield and the Bucs delievered again.
What’s even more impressive is that Tampa Bay doesn’t exactly have an elite coaching staff. Todd Bowles is a solid defensive coach, but he’s not the offensive mind calling plays. This is also the third straight season the Buccaneers have had a new offensive coordinator — and still, Mayfield has somehow gotten better every year in Tampa Bay.
To win the MVP, you need signature moments and the ability to overcome everything working against you. Mayfield has done exactly that — battling through injuries, inconsistent protection, and constant change, yet he contniues to show up in .
Before the season started, I picked the Buccaneers to make the Super Bowl out of the NFC. Five weeks in, I’m feeling pretty confident in that pick. The odds might not reflect it yet, but as of right now, Baker Mayfield is your MVP.