NFL.com's ranking of all 59 starting quarterbacks from the 2024 NFL season (3 Viewers)

[boutte]

This is more than a little 20-20 hindsight

If we had signed Baker this board would have exploded

I seem to recall many threads clowning Tampa for signing him

Don’t remember many saying what a great move it was the Bucs made and we were going to regret passing on mayfield

I thought it but didn't say it. But I have to admit that I thought signing Carr was a big win.

 

[St.Dan]

No disrespect to Baker and I'm not a Carr apologist, but I still think they're pretty even as players. Same tier at least. Mayfield has had a much better go there in Tampa. Better line, running game, TE, and a full cast of dynamic receivers. Add better coaching, more stable environment, and much much better overall team health.
If Baker came here and Carr had gone to Tampa, I could see this same conversation being had now with the names swapped.

That being said, Baker has proven himself to be legit and low maintenance. So either he has grown as a player and a person, or all the drama in Cleveland was... well Cleveland. Good on him.

Bolded, plus they've had much better luck with injuries than the Saints. They've managed to be just average enough to win a super-terrible division the past few years.