Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, who posted career highs in completions, passing yards, passing touchdowns and completion percentage, is the 2023 Most Improved Player of the Year. The sixth-year veteran finished the 2023 season completing 364-of-566 passes (64.3%) for 4,044 yards and 28 passing touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions for a passer rating of 94.6. He led the Bucs to their third-straight division title and is one of two players to finish the year with 28-or-more passing touchdowns and 10-or-fewer interceptions (also, Dak Prescott). Mayfield ranked among league-leaders in passing touchdowns (seventh), passing yards (ninth), completions (10th) and passer rating (12th). He became the second player in Buccaneers history to throw for 4,000+ yards, 25-or-more touchdowns and 10-or-fewer interceptions in a single season, joining Tom Brady (2022). Throughout the season, he rallied the Bucs' offense and showcased his high-effort production on the gridiron. Mayfield spearheaded the unit with highlight-reel tight window throws, mobility in the pocket and anticipation. He put up his best season as a pro, proving his value as a franchise quarterback in the NFL.
After playing with both the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Rams in 2022 and posting career-lows in yards and touchdown passes, Mayfield joined the Buccaneers as an unrestricted free agent in March 2023. He won the starting role during the preseason following a battle with Kyle Trask and started all 17 games. Tampa Bay went 9-8 overall and captured the NFC South title. With Mayfield guiding the offense, the Bucs won five of their final six regular-season games to clinch the division. Mayfield was selected as the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 15 after he posted the first "perfect" passer rating (158.3) by a visiting quarterback at Green Bay's Lambeau Field as he completed 22 of 38 passes for 381 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in a dominant 34-20 victory. Mayfield is the first member of the Tampa Bay franchise to receive the Most Improved Player of the Year honor since it was first awarded by the PFWA in 2000.
