Bakr mayfield in Bucs uniformTAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 15: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
The Tampa Bay Bucs may want Baker Mayfield back, but they will certainly have some competition.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the favorite to bring Baker Mayfield back but NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero is reporting the Atlanta Falcons might be a “dark horse” team ready to swoop in and grab him in free agency.

‘”If there’s one dark horse that might emerge for Baker Mayfield, I would think Atlanta is it but Atlanta’s got a lot of different options, including holding the No. 8 overall pick,” Pelissero said.

The Falcons have made it clear they are looking for a major upgrade over Desmond Ridder.

Head coach Raheem Morris spoke candidly at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis about Ridder’s play last season. He didn’t specifically mention his name but his words said enough.

 

“If we had better quarterback play last year in Atlanta, I might not be standing here,” Morris told reporters.
Mayfield was selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. however, after he led the team to a playoff appearance and victory, he would soon fall out of favor with his bad play on the field.

After a rocky 2021 season, the Browns traded Baker Mayfield to the Panthers.

He struggled in Carolina, which led to his release midseason, and the former No. 1 pick finished the season with the Rams, playing well enough to earn a one-year deal with the Buccaneers.

The former top pick earned a Pro Bowl nod this past season, completing 64.3% of his passes for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns while leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round.

After watching Mayfield reach his first career Pro Bowl and finish third in Comeback Player of the Year voting, he is in line for a nice deal from somebody, whether it be the Bucs, Falcons, or another team.