Boomer Esiason knows something about the quarterback position, being a former NFL MVP and four-time Pro Bowler during his legendary playing career. Now an analyst, Esiason also knows something about the Denver Broncos' QB situation, and how they can best rectify it.
"Baker [Mayfield's] going to be a free agent," he told Andrew Mason of DenverSports.com at Super Bowl Radio Row on Tuesday. "Oh, I’d love to see him with Sean Payton. That would be unbelievable. They’d be screaming back and forth at each other! … Come on, the NFL needs Baker and Sean Payton together, right? ‘Cause [Buccaneers head coach] Todd Bowles is like, ‘Good play,’ and they’d be screaming at each other. It would be great.”
Indeed, "good play" was uttered consistently throughout 2023 as Mayfield, an ex-Browns castoff, enjoyed a career resurgence in Tampa Bay, throwing for a personal-best 4,044 yards with 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
The former No. 1 overall pick finally looked the part, leading the 9-8 Buccaneers to an NFC South title — and beating the Eagles in the postseason Wild Card round — while earning his first-ever Pro Bowl selection.
As such, Mayfield is in line for a massive payday, perhaps as much as $40 million annually on a long-term contract which the Bucs are expected to pursue. Failing that, the club could retain him via the franchise tag for the 2024 campaign.
Even if Mayfield makes it to the open market next month, the Broncos are nearly $24 million over the salary cap and stand to eat another $85 million in dead money once Russell Wilson is released. Simply put, they can't afford to shop from the top shelf.
The clearance rack is more aligned to Denver's financial ballpark — and Esiason knows where to look there, too.
"A guy like Jake Browning on the Bengals, for instance," he told Mason. "Came out of nowhere. And had a great year replacing Joe Burrow.
“Could that be a guy that the Broncos would consider? Because he would be a less-expensive guy, and you could build a better team around him. So, somebody like that be in the offing, or somebody in the draft.”
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