QB Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills responded, “Don’t overlook Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal-caller Baker Mayfield,” when asked who in the NFL had the greatest arm.
Josh Allen, the quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, is widely considered to have the most powerful arm in today’s NFL. However, when questioned about who possesses the absolute strongest arm, Allen took a moment to express admiration for his fellow quarterbacks.
During an appearance on Fox Sports 1’s Speak amidst Super Bowl media week, former NFL running back and Allen’s teammate with the Bills, LeSean McCoy, asked for Allen’s perspective on the ongoing debate about the strongest arm in the league. While not selecting a specific individual for the title, Allen gave a special acknowledgment to another quarterback whose arm talent he believes is often overlooked – Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
QB Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills responded, “Don’t overlook Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal-caller Baker Mayfield,” when asked who in the NFL had the greatest arm.Allen remarked, “You know who’s got a sneaky big arm is [Mayfield].” “I don’t think Baker Mayfield gets enough credit for having a cannon.” I mean it. He has superb throwing form.
"You know who has a sneaky big arm? It's Bake. Baker Mayfield's got a cannon and I don't think he gets enough credit for it." -Josh Allen on which #NFL has a big arm @953WDAE pic.twitter.com/SiVlmTDg5I
— Christopher Mathis 🎙 (@thechrismathis) February 9, 2024
Although McCoy and the other members of the Speak team dismissed Allen’s remark with a laugh, it appears that he may have a valid point. In December 2020, Mayfield threw the longest NFL pass Pro Football Focus has ever charted in a game. Allen is another quarterback who has never had a throw at the NFL Scouting Combine surpass 60 miles per hour.
Baker Mayfield's end of the half hail mary attempt last night was the longest NFL pass attempt PFF has ever charted 🚀 👀 pic.twitter.com/lsRWDiwCjT
— PFF (@PFF) December 15, 2020
Despite being two of the best quarterback prospects available in the 2018 NFL Draft, Allen and Mayfield’s careers have gone quite different directions. Allen, the seventh overall selection, is among the league’s greatest quarterbacks and has placed in the top five MVP rankings in three of the previous four seasons. However, Mayfield, the first overall pick, has had a highly inconsistent career.
Although Mayfield experienced ups and downs with the Cleveland Browns, the team that selected him in the draft, he was instrumental in the team’s first postseason victory since their return to the league in 2020.
However, Mayfield missed the most of the 2021 season due to a serious shoulder injury, which significantly reduced his output. After that, the Browns made the controversial decision to bench Mayfield and acquire the contentious Deshaun Watson via trade; in 2022, he played for the Los Angeles Rams and the Carolina Panthers.
Despite his difficulties, Mayfield was given one final opportunity with Tampa Bay during the summer. After losing Tom Brady, most people thought Mayfield would just be a backup option for the Bucs as they rebuilt. However, he surprised everyone by having a career season with 4,044 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. After leading the Bucs to an NFC South championship and a Divisional Round berth, he placed third in the Comeback Player of the Year voting.
Although the two quarterbacks don’t often cross paths, it’s good to see Allen rooting for his fellow 2018 draft pick.