Guys who have already proved they can go all the way like Stafford and Hurts. Herbert I like better, although I concede he hasn't really done anything to justify ranking him above Baker. Then there are young guys I just see as more talented like Maye, Stroud and Daniels. But in reality it isn't who I think is better, but rather I just don't trust Baker not fucking up for an entire playoffs run. Can you really picture Mayfield lifting SB MVP? I can't.
I’ve been a huge Baker fan since his days at TTU. The energy and toughness he brings to his teams are just undeniable. Herbert is a better prospect and should be a better QB. But he isn’t? Why? Bc he is too laid back. I don’t like QBs who have a laid back personality. I can’t think of a great QB who was laid back. Maybe drugged up Rodgers at the end of his career?
But Manning, Tom, Patrick, Elway, Rothlisburger, Young, Aikman, Favre, I mean all these guys are get in your face and let you have it guys. They are also all positive reinforcement guys too but you don’t fuck around and make stupid mistakes when you’re on those guys teams. Baker is cut from the same cloth. He isn’t as athletic as those guys but he has a great arm, and maybe the best leadership I’ve ever seen. Dude has 3 receivers who all want the ball and nobody once complains about Baker in Tampa. Even when all 3 are healthy I guarantee none of them complain publicly about Baker not getting them the ball.
Hurts has only one guy who wants to ball all the time and he can’t even handle that. Hurts last year before his playoff run was the definition of mediocre. Saquon carried that team. And bc of Saquon having literally an all time year, Hurts had the opportunity to even play in the superbowl. Now he balled out in the Superbowl but let’s not pretend Hurts carried the Eagles last year. Dude had less than 130 passing yards against the Rams in the playoffs while Saquon rushed for over 200. The Eagles were just a great team.
Stafford is too old and too brittle and really too immobile to be considered a top guy. Prime Stafford yeah. But this version just can’t move at all. I expect them to finish 3rd in their division and be fighting with the Falcons for a playoff spot
But to answer your question. Yes I can see Baker Mayfield holding up a trophy. I can see him stepping up in the biggest moments. There’s no hurdle too big for this guy. And there are no great teams in the NFC and I trust him to lead me in the playoffs.