5 weeks into the 2025 NFL season, the calendar has turned to October and bye weeks have begun throughout the league.
Groups are roughly one-third via their schedules, which appears early for severe MVP discussions to emerge amongst analysts and media members.
That hasn’t stopped ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky from weighing in together with his rankings.
Orlovsky shared his prime 5 MVP candidates via 5 weeks on Thursday, together with two Tampa Bay Buccaneers gamers amongst his choices.
Probably the most shocking entry got here at quantity 5, the place he positioned rookie huge receiver Emeka Egbuka forward of a number of established stars across the league.
“Baker is the MVP of the NFL proper now. Is he in that class? There’s little question. Capability to throw the ball? He can go at anyone. I’d put Egbuka at my top-5 MVP as effectively. He’s that particular as a participant,” Orlovsky mentioned on Unsportsmanlike Radio.
“Baker is the MVP of the NFL proper now.” @danorlovsky7 has each Baker Mayfield and Emeka Egbuka in his prime MVP candidates. pic.twitter.com/HZOAzM33ZS
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) October 9, 2025
Egbuka has separated himself within the Offensive Rookie of the Yr race, however MVP consideration stays a major stretch for any rookie receiver.
His quarterback, Baker Mayfield, presents a much more credible case for the award after his outstanding turnaround in Tampa Bay this season.
Mayfield has engineered 4 fourth-quarter comebacks via 5 video games, setting an NFL file whereas silencing doubts about his long-term viability as a starter.
The veteran quarterback ranks fourth in passing yards with 1,283 whereas sustaining an nearly 10-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and finishing 65.1% of his makes an attempt.
His Week 5 efficiency towards Seattle showcased his command, finishing 29 of 33 passes for 379 yards and two touchdowns with out turning the ball over.
Egbuka caught all seven targets for 163 yards and a landing whereas filling in for injured veteran Mike Evans.
His contested catches stretched the sphere and supplied Tampa Bay’s offense with one other weapon of their shootout victory.
Whether or not both participant maintains MVP-level manufacturing stays unsure, however their early affect has the Buccaneers positioned as reliable contenders heading into October.
The submit Dan Orlovsky Makes Daring Assertion About 2 Buccaneers Gamers appeared first on The Chilly Wire.