Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was once a de facto journeyman player, and he spent some time with Matthew Stafford as a member of the Los Angeles Rams. Ahead of their matchup, Mayfield called Stafford the “best, purest passer” in league history, which has drawn some huge reactions.
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Mayfield and the Buccaneers have been the perfect match, as the Heisman Trophy winner has emerged as one of the better passers since arriving in Tampa Bay. In less than three seasons with the team, he has secured 10,909 yards, 86 touchdowns, and 29 interceptions. This has led to two Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods.
Despite being one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, Mayfield knows just how special Stafford is. Pointing to his time with the Detroit Lions and his time in Los Angeles, Mayfield described Stafford as the “best, purest passer” in the history of the league.
“As long as he was in Detroit, he didn’t get credit for how good he really was. … To me, he’s always been a top 3–5 QB in the league and one of the best, if not the best, pure passer ever in the history of the NFL,” Mayfield told reporters.
Though Mayfield’s opinion on Stafford is his own, the argument for “best, purest passer” has been a huge subject of debate among fans. Quarterbacks like Dan Marino, Josh Allen, and Steve McNair are often described as the best passers in the history of the league.
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Either way, Mayfield’s comments on Stafford have drawn huge reactions from fans.
One fan wrote, “Brother talking like Stafford wasn’t throwing for 5,000 yards with no O-line and practice-squad WRs underrated era.”
Betonline said, “Talent recognize talent.”
Another fan said, “Baker Mayfield praising Stafford is cute but calling him a top 3 – 5 QB ignores how much Detroit’s system held him back. Talent is one thing; winning when it counts is another.”
Another wrote, “True gunslinger. One of the greatest passers of all time. A shame that a poverty city such as Detroit tarnished most of his career. I’m glad LA has done hind right.”
Another argued, “He’s not Dan Marino.”
Mayfield knows all too well how much skill Stafford has, as the pair shared the quarterback room with one another in the 2022 season. The Buccaneers signal caller is not wrong, as Stafford is and remains one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
It could have even been the tutelage of Stafford that helped Mayfield emerge as the All-Pro talent he became when he arrived in Tampa Bay a season later. Mayfield understands how dangerous Stafford is and will be when the Buccaneers take on the Rams in Week 12.
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