Former No. 1 overall pick QB Baker Mayfield is set to hit free agency this offseason. Many teams will be in the market for a QB, but Mayfield isn’t a lock to land a starting job.
In 2022, the Browns, who drafted him in 2018, were comfortable moving on from him, and Carolina saw enough in seven games to kick him out the door. Since his release, Mayfield has started for the Rams with Matthew Stafford out with a neck injury.
In 11 games in 2022, Mayfield has 2,016 yards passing, 30th among QBs, and a 60.8% completion percentage.
Per Yahoo! Sports, Mayfield isn’t thinking about his 2023 team yet, but QB-needy teams surely are reviewing his body of work.
Here are potential fits for the pending free agent:
New Orleans Saints
The Saints (7-9) are without a first-round pick and have the least amount of cap space in the NFL for next season. There’s uncertainty surrounding QB Jameis Winston’s future, and it’s doubtful New Orleans will roll with 35-year-old Andy Dalton in 2023.
With scarce resources and limited options, the Saints may pivot to a QB of Mayfield’s caliber.
Since future Hall of Fame QB Drew Brees retired, the Saints have avoided a rebuilding situation. Due to their cap situation, New Orleans could trade former All-Pro RB Alvin Kamara and WR Michael Thomas.
The Saints still have an imposing defense, and the NFC South could be open for the taking in 2023 –especially if Tampa Bay QB Tom Brady finds a new home in free agency.
By signing Mayfield, the Saints could compete for the playoffs and kick-start a rebuild.
Washington Commanders
In the offseason, the Commanders (7-8-1) can get out of the contract for QB Carson Wentz, who has had another disastrous season. They will likely search the free-agent market because the consensus top QBs in the draft — Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s CJ Stroud, and Kentucky’s Will Levis — will be gone by the time the Commanders pick in the first round.
Florida QB Anthony Richardson could fall to Washington in the middle of the first round, but he’s considered a project who needs time to grow. (Per Tankathon, the Commanders currently hold the 14th pick in the first round.)
Mayfield, who led the Browns to the playoffs in 2020, can be a decent bridge option. With WRs Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson on offense and an underrated defense, Washington has the talent to elevate a quarterback of Mayfield’s status.
New York Jets
Could “Broadway Baker” be the answer to snapping the longest active playoff drought in the NFL?
If the Jets (7-9) strike out on the premier free-agent QBs, they may need to bring in a mid-tier free-agent QB to compete for the starting job. Mayfield and the Browns’ Jacoby Brissett could be options.
New York has firepower on offense, with a receiving corps of Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, and Garrett Wilson. New York has promising young stars on defense, including DT Quinnen Williams and probable Defensive Rookie of the Year Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, the outstanding cornerback.
The Jets could contend for a wild-card spot in 2023, but they must find a QB and improve their offensive line.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams (5-11) won’t be moving on from Stafford, but could they keep Mayfield should Stafford’s neck injury persist?
Los Angeles is 2-2 since Mayfield became its starting QB. He has flashed potential, but he remains inconsistent.
Mayfield could benefit from another year under HC Sean McVay and then land a starting gig elsewhere the following season, as Mitch Trubisky did the transition from Buffalo to Pittsburgh. (He now backs up rookie Kenny Pickett.)
