Tampa Bay’s rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is rewriting the record books through five games, and his quarterback sees something rare. Baker Mayfield praised the first-rounder’s maturity and authenticity in ways that go beyond the stat sheet.
The praise comes after watching Egbuka rack up 163 yards on multiple deep shots in Week 5. Mayfield completed 29 of 33 passes for 379 yards and two scores in that game, his fourth fourth-quarter comeback of the season. Their connection has been instant, and through five games, Egbuka has recorded 25 catches, 445 yards, and five touchdowns.
What Did Baker Mayfield Say About Emeka Egbuka?
Mayfield’s comments came via ESPN, following the Buccaneers’ 38-35 road win in Seattle. He focused on Egbuka’s character and maturity, not just his numbers.
“He’s kind of one-of-one. He’s well-rounded, and not just in football — in life. I think he’s grounded and I think he’s genuine in everything he does. He’s intentional. And you just don’t see that often. Especially as a rookie with the talent he has, you really don’t see that often.”
Baker Mayfield on Emeka Egbuka: “He’s kind of one-of-one. He’s well-rounded, and not just in football — in life. I think he’s grounded and I think he’s genuine in everything he does. He’s intentional. And you just don’t see that often. Especially as a rookie with the talent he… pic.twitter.com/2a6oE3uO2v
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) October 5, 2025
Egbuka is the first player in NFL history with 25-plus receptions, 400-plus receiving yards, and five receiving touchdowns through five career games. The historic start earned him NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month honors for September.
The 19th overall pick caught two touchdowns in his NFL debut at Atlanta, including the game-winner in a 23-20 victory. Three weeks later, he posted 101 yards against Philadelphia with a 77-yard gain that set up a score.
He joins Mike Evans as the only rookies in Buccaneers history with back-to-back 100-yard receiving games. His 79.9 WR Impact score through four games ranks 25th among all receivers in PFSN’s metric, while Tampa Bay’s offense grades at 78.3 and ranks 12th in PFSN’s Offensive Impact for 2025.
The Ohio State standout set the Buckeyes’ career receptions record with 205 catches and won a national championship in January. His route precision and hands translated immediately to the NFL, giving Mayfield a third proven option alongside Evans and Chris Godwin.
Tampa Bay sits 4-1 after winning four games by three points or fewer, with Egbuka’s explosiveness fueling late drives. Mayfield’s ability to find him downfield in crunch time has been a major reason the Buccaneers lead the NFC South. If the rookie keeps playing like this, the “one-of-one” label will stick around a lot longer than September.