NFL Insider Says Baker Mayfield Will Choose Between Two Teams

Matthew Schmidt

March 6, 2024

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers decided to use their franchise tag on safety Antoine Winfield Jr., meaning that quarterback Baker Mayfield is slated to hit free agency next Monday.

Of course, the Buccaneers can still reach an agreement with Mayfield before then, but if they don’t, Mayfield will be free to sign with whoever he wants.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk seems to think there are two possibilities for Mayfield: Tampa Bay, or the Minnesota Vikings.

Obviously, the Bucs are the favorites. Mayfield just revitalized his career in Tampa this past season, and the Buccaneers also just re-signed wide receiver Mike Evans.

Florio noted that a league source said Evans signed with the expectation that Tampa Bay will do everything in its power to retain Mayfield, so, more than likely, the 28-year-old will be back with the Bucs next season.

But what about the Vikings?

Minnesota has its own conundrum under center, as it is debating whether or not it should bring back Kirk Cousins for another run.

The Vikings have maintained that they want to keep Cousins, but as long as it does not seriously hinder their long-term financial flexibility.

This seems to have created a gap between what Cousins thinks he is worth and what Minnesota is actually willing to pay him, which could create a vacancy at signal-caller for the Vikings.

If Minnesota and Cousins ultimately part ways, it would open the door to a potential partnership with Mayfield if he and the Buccaneers are unable to come to terms.

That being said, it seems hard to imagine Tampa Bay allowing Mayfield to walk at this point. The Bucs won the NFC South division title and routed the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs with Mayfield taking snaps this past season, so you would think they would want to build on that.

Baker Mayfield threw for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2023.

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