Insider information about Baker Mayfield’s Buccaneers future, the Jets’ strategy to support Aaron Rodgers, and other topics
The league left Mobile, Alabama, almost as fast as it had arrived in the city a few days prior to senior bowl preparations. Still, there was a lot of excitement inside the Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel, which had served as players’ and teams’ headquarters for the previous three days.
When I revealed last month that Baker Mayfield, a front-runner for the league’s Comeback Player of the Year Award, was expected to get a deal worth at least $40 million a year, some people took notice.
And while many people had different opinions, it was widely agreed upon at the Senior Bowl that Mayfield will receive far more money than most people anticipate. This belief is influenced by a number of things, but after talking to multiple people, two come to light.
QBs like Deshaun Watson and Daniel Jones have just been awarded contracts in the first. Last year, Jones agreed to a $160 million, four-year contract. Watson had a $230 million, five-year contract that was fully guaranteed.
Putting aside arguments about which quarterback is superior, Mayfield had an excellent season, and as long as the pay cap is high, quarterback contracts in general will increase.
Many people believe that $40 million annually in 2024 is equal to $34 million annually in the previous year.
Mayfield gained more value and clout once Raheem Morris was hired by Atlanta. Morris and Mayfield are obviously acquainted due to the Buccaneers’ postseason run this year following their NFC South championship.
There are other clubs in the league that are in dire need of a quarterback, including the Falcons. Arthur Blank, the team’s owner, is also prepared to part with cash for an experienced quarterback. If Mayfield’s annual revenue is not $40 million, the numbers will ultimately be close.
Why did the Seattle Seahawks choose Mike MacDonald, the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, over Dan Quinn? The franchise wants to go down a different path because, according to sources, Quinn was too similar to former head coach Pete Carroll.
Quinn, 53, spent a total of four years coaching under Carroll in Seattle, where he did so twice. They are bringing in a coach from MacDonald who is 17 years Quinn’s junior, and they think he will bring a new perspective.
Talk has it that Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga is already being targeted by the New York Jets with the 10th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.
GM Joe Douglas has a love for Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga, according to talk in scouting circles, ESPN’s Rich Cimini tweeted. had reportedly been sulking over him for months.
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In the three mock drafts I’ve conducted this year at Sportskeeda, I had Fuaga as a mid-first-round selection, but the tenth pick overall? I inquired with a few folks who attended practice on Thursday, since I felt that was a little too early.
Everyone agreed that Fuaga wouldn’t be available for long if the Jets didn’t select him with the tenth overall choice. Few offensive linemen, in the opinion of the scouts there, have the size, strength, and athleticism that Fuaga does when it comes to the field.
When you consider that the senior from Oregon State has consistently improved his game, he should be included in the top 15.
A word of caution: when was the last time the Jets decided early in the scouting process to choose a guy because they fell in love with him during the collegiate season? Nobody else but Zach Wilson.
