ESPN NFL expert Jeremy Fowler discussed why, should the Tampa Bay Buccaneers allow quarterback Baker Mayfield to enter free agency next month, the New England Patriots might make a strong push to sign him.
“Anything can happen in free agency, even if Tampa is the overwhelming favorite to re-sign Mayfield, who is now a prized free agent following a stellar season with the Bucs,” Fowler pointed out. “And the group of players (the Cleveland Browns) that selected Mayfield first overall in the 2018 draft included the Patriots’ new brain trust, which includes personnel executives Alonzo Highsmith and head personnel guy Eliot Wolf. They had faith in him.
Playing under former Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Dave Canales, Mayfield emerged as a contender for Comeback Player of the Year. It is said that Mayfield had a major role in the Buccaneers’ decision to bench Canales in favor of Liam Coen, who is currently head coach of the Carolina Panthers.
With new head coach Jerod Mayo in charge, it appears likely that New England will move on from 2021 first-round draft pick Mac Jones. Fowler also noted that the Patriots signing Mayfield might enable the team to use this year’s No. 3 overall draft choice to acquire a playmaker like Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Harrison would go to New England with the third pick in the draft, according to Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports in a mock draft that was revised this past Wednesday.
Although Mayo and other Patriots players may not have thought well of Mayfield last winter, the 28-year-old has made it clear that he had a great time during his one season in Tampa Bay.
Some have even speculated that Mayfield would join the Atlanta Falcons, but it’s important to remember that Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht has the option to utilize the franchise tag to keep the signal-caller’s rights through 2024 before the teams’ deadline of March 5 to use their tags.
Mayfield was mentioned on Friday by Robert Zeglinski of USA Today’s For The Win and Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated as one of the players who could be tagged if they don’t sign contracts by March 5.
Regarding Mayfield, Zeglinski stated, “It’s quite doubtful he won’t wander the Tampa Bay sideline in 2024.”
