The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took a chance on Baker Mayfield this season and the reward has been great for both sides. For Mayfield, his career was revamped after looking like another name to join the list of “number one overall picks that turned out to be busts.” As for the Bucs, they are in the playoffs and have won their first playoff game in the post-Tom Brady era.
Despite all the good feelings Mayfield and the Bucs have been feeling lately, it wouldn't necessarily be crazy if he didn't re-sign with the team for 2024 and beyond. The hope is that a new deal can be worked out between the two, but if he has a bad game against the Lions this weekend or an unforeseen event occurs this offseason, he may not return to the Bucs.
Bleacher Report's Ryan Fowler discussed three potential landing spots for Mayfield if he doesn't return to Tampa. The three teams he has linked to Mayfield are the Broncos, Raiders and Vikings.
It is unknown if Mayfield had not been taken No. 1 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft if the Broncos would have taken him fifth overall but they did not have the opportunity. With former Saints coach Sean Payton now leading the charge in Denver, it's not surprising to see him and Mayfield working together.
“While the Payton-Mayfield dynamic will be worthy of a big hit, Denver has the pieces to compete offensively in the AFC West.
Learning a new offense is no easy feat, but Mayfield proved this fall the kind of success he can have with talent around him and a few seconds to clear up the defense.– Ryan Fowler
Russell Wilson won't be back in Denver next season, or at least it doesn't look like he will, so the Broncos will be looking for a new quarterback once again. Mayfield has been on four teams during his short career, so joining a fifth team and learning yet another new offense wouldn't be anything new for him.
Davante Adams would benefit the most from Mayfield joining the Raiders. Mayfield had Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to work with during his only season in Tampa Bay and the results were there. Fowler notes in his write-up that the Raiders need “guts” at the quarterback position and Mayfield can bring that courage.
However, for Mayfield, joining the AFC West may not be the smartest plan. He'd go head-to-head with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert twice a year, and while Mayfield isn't the type to really care about that stuff, why not stay in a more winnable division?
Justin Jefferson is playing for the Vikings so there is a strong enough incentive for any quarterback who wants to play in Minnesota. With Kirk Cousins likely not returning to the Vikings in 2024, could the team opt to hit the free agent market instead of drafting someone?
If so, Mayfield could be an option. They have the offensive weapons in place but now they just need a quarterback to make plays and stay healthy. Mayfield is one of the most durable signal callers in the league and will bring some excitement to the Vikings offense.
Hopefully all this speculation is for nothing and Baker Mayfield returns to Tampa to continue leading the Bucs.
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