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 by means of their schedules, which appears early for critical MVP discussions to emerge amongst analysts and media members.
That hasn’t stopped ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky from weighing in along with his rankings.
Orlovsky shared his high 5 MVP candidates by means of 5 weeks on Thursday, together with two Tampa Bay Buccaneers gamers amongst his alternatives.
Essentially 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. Skill to throw the ball? He can go at anyone. I’d put Egbuka at my top-5 MVP as nicely. He’s that particular as a participant,” Orlovsky stated on Unsportsmanlike Radio.
“Baker is the MVP of the NFL proper now.” @danorlovsky7 has each Baker Mayfield and Emeka Egbuka in his high 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 big 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 by means of 5 video games, setting an NFL document 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 virtually 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 sector 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 authentic contenders heading into October.
NEXT: Former Participant Makes Large Prediction About Baker Mayfield