Key Takeaways:
– The Tampa Bay Buccaneers clinched three successive NFC South Division titles, and they’ve had the best NFL offseason.
– Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers’ quarterback, achieved career highs in 2023 but is still ranked second in the 2024 NFC South QB Rankings.
– Kirk Cousins, the Atlanta Falcons’ new quarterback, secures the top spot despite recovering from an Achilles injury.
– Atlanta Falcons create controversy by drafting Michael Penix, potentially challenging Cousins’ top spot.
Record-Breaking Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been on a winning spree, nabbing three consecutive NFC South Division titles. Their impressive run doesn’t stop there. The team also underwent the most advantageous offseason, with smart free-agent maneuvers and a successful 2024 NFL draft. Notably, Tampa Bay ensured that its top performers from 2023 remained on the lineup.
Mayfield’s Impressive Year Gets Uncelebrated
Quarterback Baker Mayfield’s noteworthy performance in the past season led the Buccaneers’ victorious run. He set new career records, throwing for an impressive 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns during his first year. Mayfield’s feats didn’t go unrecognized as he landed a lucrative three-year, $100 million contract extension in March this year.
However, the Pewter Report’s Ryan Heckman still places Mayfield second in his NFC South QB Rankings ahead of the 2024 season. He lists him behind Kirk Cousins, the Atlanta Falcons’ new quarterback. Heckman explains that while Mayfield’s 2023 achievement was exceptional, he still hasn’t outperformed an established player like Cousins.
Mayfield’s Astonishing Comeback Story
Mayfield’s success seems natural, considering his promising start after being drafted as No. 1 overall out of Oklahoma by the Browns in 2018. However, a serious injury in 2021 nearly derailed his career. Post-injury, he had brief stints with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams before replacing the retiring Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. He signed a one-year, $4 million with the Buccaneers, a gamble that paid off with his first Pro Bowl.
Falcons’ Unsettled QB Situation
Meanwhile, Cousins holds the No. 1 spot in the rankings after the Falcons signed him to a four-year, $180 million contract in March 2024. However, Atlanta troubled the football fraternity by selecting University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix with the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL draft. This move created mounting tension, potentially leading to a quarterback controversy.
The question now lingers whether Penix’s arrival will curtail Cousins’ dominance. Heckman suggests that a falter on Cousins’ part could trigger a major controversy. This development has left football fans and analysts intrigued about the unfolding dynamics in the 2024 NFL season.