The Tampa Bay Buccaneers want to re-sign quarterback Baker Mayfield, but they apparently won’t be able to do it without some competition.
And that competition may come from within their own division.
According to Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda, the Atlanta Falcons have expressed interest in Mayfield, which does not come as much of a surprise given the Falcons’ dire need for a signal-caller.
Also, last week, Scott Reynolds of Pewter Report named Atlanta as one potential destination for Mayfield.
Pauline adds that the Falcons are currently trying to trade for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields but that if Atlanta can’t get a deal done for Fields, Mayfield will be at the top of the team’s wish list.
Of course, just because the Falcons may be interested in Mayfield does not necessarily mean they are going to be able to steal him away from the Buccaneers.
After all, Mayfield revitalized his career in Tampa Bay this past season, throwing for 4,040 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 64.9 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 94.6. Most importantly, he led the Bucs to an NFC South division title and guided them to a Wild Card Round playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Atlanta will surely inquire about many available quarterbacks this offseason, as it was also rumored to be interested in Kirk Cousins.
The Falcons rolled out Desmond Ridder under center in 2023, only for Ridder to be replaced by Taylor Heinicke midway through the season. The two players traded places throughout the remainder of the year, with nearly signal-caller inspiring any confidence moving forward.
Mayfield’s career looked dead in the water two years ago, when he split the 2022 campaign between the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams and totaled 10 touchdowns and eight picks.
Now, he is a hot commodity heading into free agency.
Still, it seems hard to imagine the Buccaneers allowing Baker Mayfield to walk, especially to a division rival.
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