Report: Baker Mayfield Has Support From Staffers of Unexpected AFC Team
New England is searching for a new franchise quarterback this offseason.
Members of the New England Patriots staff are interested in free agent quarterback Baker Mayfield, according to a report from Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald.
Mayfield, who enjoyed a bounce back season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, has also received interest from the Bucs’ franchise about a potential return under center after leading the team to an NFC South title and playoff berth.
The interest in Mayfield from New England’s side is not surprising. He’s a relatively young but experienced quarterback who has enjoyed some success as a starter in his career thus far. In addition, members of the Patriots organization have worked with Mayfield in the past.
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When he was drafted by Cleveland in 2018, Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf was working in the Browns’ front office. New England’s new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and as quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney were both on Cleveland’s staff and coached Mayfield during his time with the Browns. New England’s senior personnel advisor Pat Steward and offensive assistant Ben McAdoo were on the Carolina Panthers’ coaching staff in 2022 when Mayfield was under center.
Kyed’s report noted that cost could be a factor for Mayfield, who is certainly in line for a multi-year deal after completing 64.3% of his passes for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns to just 10 interceptions last season. Mayfield’s completion percentage mark, passing yards and touchdown totals were all career-highs.
New England owns the No. 3 pick in next month’s draft, and is certainly in the running to draft one of this year’s top quarterback prospects. The Patriots also have both Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe under contract for next season.
But a union with Mayfield would certainly open up the door for the Patriots to either take a top wide receiver at No. 3, or potentially trade back for more draft assets. Jones and Zappe would likely be available in trades out of New England as well.
As for another one of the top available free agent quarterbacks, don’t expect the Patriots to pursue former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is coming off surgery for a ruptured Achilles’ tendon, per Kyed.