Bruce Arians, former head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has praised quarterback Baker Mayfield. He considers the new Bucs playmaker a bigger talent than 2023 first-round picks Bryce Young, C. J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson.

In free agency, quarterback Baker Mayfield joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, yet there was long speculation in the lead-up to the draft that the franchise might select one of its top playmakers in the first round.

Ultimately, the Bucs selected Kalijah Cancey at No. 19, with the top quarterbacks in the class off the board much earlier. Bryce Young went to the Carolina Panthers with the first pick, followed immediately by the Houston Texans selecting C.J. Stroud. Anthony Richardson eventually went fourth to the Indianapolis Colts.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bruce Arians praises Mayfield

All three players are considered long-term starters and great talents at the most important position in American football, although Young will initially serve as the Panthers’ backup. But for Bruce Arians, the former Tampa head coach and 2021 Super Bowl winner, the three first-round picks are not as big talents as Mayfield was.

“I can honestly say that of those four, I had Baker rated higher,” Arians is quoted as saying by “pewterreport.com.” This, he said, was his “honest opinion” of the quarterback who entered the NFL as a 2018 Heisman Trophy winner and was selected first overall by the Cleveland Browns.

Bucs: Mayfield duels with Trask for starter position

According to Arians, it was mostly the franchise that played a big part in Mayfield’s failure. “He had a tough time playing hurt and things didn’t work out in Cleveland. That happens to a lot of guys,” said the 70-year-old, who still serves the Bucs in an advisory capacity. In addition, he said he was impressed with Mayfield’s “hustle” and the accuracy with which he played.

Unlike the first few years of his career, however, Mayfield won’t have the starter’s job secure in Florida, but will compete with Kyle Trask for the role in training camps. “I think it’s going to be a nice battle,” Arians said, looking forward to the duel.