It's the thick of the NFL offseason, which means it's officially Hot Take SZN.
Everyone has an opinion this time of year, with most attention focused on predicting what will happen in the upcoming season. Experts have been getting their takes off since the season ended in Feburary and when it comes to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers it's unfortunately more of the boring same.
Just like last season, although not to as aggressively, the Bucs are being picked to be a lower-third team in the league. Pundits don't think the team will win a fourth-straight NFC South title and most certainly won't reach the playoffs again.
Last season was a fluke, apparently.
Most of the takes are rooted in the idea that Baker Mayfield won't repeat the success he had during his first season in Tampa Bay. He went to the Pro Bowl, led the Bucs to the NFC Divisional Round, and had one of the best years of his career.
Not everyone is down on him, though, as Tyreek Hill is among the select few betting on Baker to have another great year with the Bucs.
Tyreek Hill thinks Baker Mayfield is a Top 5 quarterback in the NFL
While chopping it up on Instagram Live, Hill listed off who he thinks are the best quarterbacks in the NFL right now. Among the group, which included Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson, was none other than Baker Mayfield.
It's high praise from one of the league's best players.
🎥 Tyreek Hill names his top 5 QBs in the NFL:
➖ Patrick Mahomes
➖ Tua Tagovailoa
➖ Lamar Jackson
➖ Dak Prescott
➖ Baker Mayfield
(@cheetah) #GoFins pic.twitter.com/iMRog61Wg1— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) July 10, 2024
It's more than just praise, it's the fact that an NFL superstar is shining a light on Tampa Bay that also matters here. We all know how easy it's been for the national media to dismiss the Buccaneers as an afterthought, and at times they've deserved it, but the tide has changed.
Not only are the Buccaneers a good team, but they're one that demands respect. If experts and pundits are going to fall back on lazy narratives when assessing the team's chances this upcoming season, it's nice to see that an elixir to that is someone like Hill taking time to shout the team and it's fearless leader out.
