One of the most underappreciated guys in the league right now? That title’s got to go to Baker Mayfield. The Bucs’ QB has been grinding, racking up over 2,000 passing yards even as the team hits a rough patch with back-to-back losses. But Baker? He’s not the kind to hang his head. Nope, he’s still out there showing why he’s one of the top names. And while the noise around him gets louder, he’s staying true to his roots—his Oklahoma roots, to be exact.

We know Baker’s a Texan at heart. But the University of Oklahoma is where he really made his mark. Where he became a household name. And he’s not forgotten that. Recently, Baker and his wife, Emily, made a big contribution to Meals on Wheels of Norman, helping them stock up on poinsettias so every senior client would get one for the holidays. And their Instagram put it best: “Thank you for caring for the seniors of Meals on Wheels of Norman!” That’s Baker for you. Still giving back to the place that cheered him on first.

However, this isn’t just a one-off thing for Baker Mayfield. Before he was breaking records (or even before he received that ’17 Heisman trophy) he was already giving back to the Norman community. Being a “Meal Ambassador” is just one more example of how he showed up. NFL superstar? That’s a mark of the superstar. More like The People’s Champ! 

And a star he is. The way he has made his way to the pro. Baker kicked off his college career at Texas Tech before transferring to Oklahoma. By 2018, he was suiting up for the Browns (after they drafted him), then the Panthers for a season, and now he’s with the Buccaneers.

Tampa came knocking with a $100 million contract, and how’s he going to turn that down? They saw in him someone who could lead like Tom Brady did (ah! the SB LV memories). And boy, the way Baker’s spitting fire under center—just wild!

That’s why fans love him. Even with all the glitz and big plays, Baker’s still Baker. And with his generosity in Norman, he’s shown that he’s got more than just an arm — he’s got heart.

Baker Mayfield’s working his magic under the radar

The heart is good off-field, but the arm works the best under center. And Baker Mayfield’s cooking under center for the Bucs this season. Let’s tick the boxes of what he has shown so far: accuracy, patience, and that dual-threat play style. Plus, for a guy who loves slinging it, he has managed to keep his turnovers impressively low. That’s pretty top-notch.

Now, picture this: Baker leads the league with 21 touchdowns over 2,189 YDs through eight games. But as the Bucs hit a bit of a losing streak, Baker’s been under the microscope, with seven interceptions in his last three outings. Guess that’s why his QBR has fallen pretty low.

So, what’s been the deal? Some of it’s the tough situations Tampa’s been in. Baker’s had to carry the load as the offense shuffles skilled guys in and out, and, let’s be honest, it’s hard to stay sharp with constant lineup changes. Yet, even with the recent picks and missed opportunities, he’s still one of the league’s top QBs.

Cody Benjamin of CBS put it well: “Jameis Winston, is that you? A year after reviving his career thanks to a fair amount of ball control, Mayfield’s back to gunning it, for better and worse.” And it’s true: Bucs fans know it’s all or nothing with Baker. They live and die by those darts, and if he’s on, the team’s thriving.

Now, it’s the season’s second half, and Baker’s on a mission to steady the ship. More so, he’d want to sneak back into that Top 10 QBs list. He has fallen down the pecking order. But don’t fret, with the form he’s in. You know he’d be coming in hot!

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