Baker Mayfield's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Right now it looks likely that impending free-agent quarterback Baker Mayfield will re-sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason, but NFL Network's Tom Pelissero mentions the Atlanta Falcons as a dark-horse candidate to get involved. Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that re-signing Mayfield is an "extremely high priority" after the former first overall pick had the best season of his career in Tampa in 2023. New Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson know Mayfield from his short stint with the Rams at the end of 2022. Atlanta is seriously looking to upgrade the QB position this offseason over Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke, and Mayfield would represent an upgrade. However, all signs are pointing to the Bucs and Mayfield running it back in 2024.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and impending free-agent quarterback Baker Mayfield have started "preliminary talks about a new contract" this offseason. General manager Jason Licht is expected to meet with Mayfield's representation during the NFL scouting combine next week. After the 28-year-old Mayfield had a career season in his first year in Tampa in 2023, it's expected that there is mutual interest in a reunion for 2024 and beyond. Mayfield had a career-high 4,044 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and even led the Bucs to a wild-card playoff victory over the Eagles. The former No. 1 overall pick won't have offensive coordinator Dave Canales working with him in 2024, though, and there's a possibility he'll also lose top wideout Mike Evans in free agency. Mayfield's fantasy appeal as a solid QB2 would take a big hit if he doesn't have Evans to rely on.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the inside track to re-sign quarterback Baker Mayfield, who will become an unrestricted free agent in March. Mayfield had a career year in his first season in Tampa in 2023, and although he lost offensive coordinator Dave Canales, he'll now be working with Liam Coen, who he spent time with at the tail end of the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Rams. The Buccaneers could use the franchise tag on Mayfield in 2024 in order to keep him around. Mayfield has also gone on record saying he wants the team to bring back receiver Mike Evans, who will be a free agent as well when the new league year begins. Tampa has roughly $35 million available in salary cap space for the upcoming season. The best-case scenario for Mayfield and his fantasy value as a high-end QB2 will be a return to Tampa.

When asked about his confidence level in quarterback Baker Mayfield returning to the team in 2024, new Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen said, "higher than I probably need to be. I want him to be here. It's probably more want than know. He's obviously a reason that I'm here... I think he wants to be here." Mayfield had a career year in Tampa in 2023, setting career-highs in passing yards (4,044), completion percentage (64.3) and touchdown passes (28) while throwing 10 interceptions in 17 regular-season games. He even led the team to a wild-card playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The 28-year-old will be a free agent this coming March, but there's mutual interest from both sides in a reunion. At best, Mayfield will be a high-end QB2 in fantasy next year if Mike Evans also re-signs in free agency.

Despite offensive coordinator Dave Canales' departure to become the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still expected to pursue a contract extension as quarterback Baker Mayfield enters free agency in 2024, according to a league source. Mayfield is coming off his best season in the NFL, completing 64.3 percent of his passes for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while leading the team to the playoffs in his first year in Tampa. Hiring Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen as Canales' replacement could help with retaining Mayfield, as the two overlapped late in the 2022 season with the Rams. Either way, Mayfield is going to be playing for his seventh different offensive coordinator in his seventh NFL season in 2024.