NFL insider links Falcons to free agent Baker Mayfield

The Falcons have been connected to a couple of options ahead of a pivotal offseason as the club searches for another quarterback.

Over the weekend, a path has begun to emerge for Atlanta to trade up and draft a quarterback as the Patriots mull over potentially trading back and acquiring a veteran on the free agent market. Moreover, Ian Rapoport linked the Falcons to a Justin Fields trade over the weekend as well.

Another potential avenue has revealed itself as well. Ian Rapoport suggests Baker Mayfield could be an option due to his familiarity with Raheem Morris and Zac Robinson.

“Coaches around the league admire Mayfield’s competitiveness and skill level, so he’ll surely have interest on the market — perhaps even from AFC South-rival Atlanta, where former Rams assistants Raheem Morris and Zac Robinson are now in charge.”

Mayfield spent some of the 2021 campaign in Los Angeles with the Rams, starting four games with Sean McVay calling plays but also with Robinson as his quarterbacks coach.

Mayfield tossed four touchdowns, two interceptions, and 850 yards on 63.6% passing across four starts. It wasn’t the best showing, but the former No. 1 overall pick shut everyone up after taking a prove-it deal with the Buccaneers this season.

Baker Mayfield had a career year in Tampa Bay, throwing for a career-best 28 touchdowns and 4,044 yards on 64.3% passing. Now, he’s going to parlay that into a multi-year deal.

The Falcons should absolutely be interested in bringing Mayfield to Atlanta. He fits what Zac Robinson wants in a signal caller, and the contract won’t break the bank. Think something in the realm of what Geno Smith got from the Seahawks a couple of years ago.

A three-year deal worth anywhere from $25 million to $35 million laced with incentives seems appropriate for what Mayfield will garner on the open market. What makes this potential scenario attractive is the Falcons’ ability to still draft a quarterback and move off Mayfield in a year or two.

In terms of quarterback contracts nowadays, it would be a relatively cheap deal. However, the Falcons will have to compete with the Buccaneers for Mayfield’s services.