NFL Rumors: Tom Brady’s Patriots Emerge as Landing Spot for Baker Mayfield After Standout NFL Season for Bucs

Despite holding the third overall pick in the draft, the New England Patriots are still considering options beyond their current roster for a quarterback. According to reports, there are supporters of Baker Mayfield within the Patriots organization, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback expected to become a free agent this month.

In 2023, he impressed with the Buccaneers, leading them to a 9-8 record, the NFC South title, and an unexpected Wild Card round victory. This talented QB may be a target for the Patriots, despite them not showing much interest in other free agents. So, could this mean the rumor of Baker Mayfield joining Tom Brady‘s Patriots come true?

Buccaneers star Baker’s connection with the Patriots

Considering the Patriots’ offensive coaching staff, it wouldn’t be surprising if they chose Mayfield. Alex Van Pelt was Mayfield’s offensive coordinator in Cleveland for two years, coaching him to his best season in 2020. Also, Patriots’ Quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney worked closely with Mayfield during his time with the Browns. Similarly, Ben McAdoo, a senior offensive assistant with the Patriots, was Mayfield’s offensive coordinator during his brief stint with the Carolina Panthers in 2022. These connections could lead to a reunion with Mayfield on the Patriots.

New England Patriots also met with Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, and Caleb Williams at the NFL Scouting Combine this week. The top three quarterbacks are expected to be picked early. However, it seems the Patriots haven’t made a final choice yet. Reports indicate that the organization’s evaluators are considering selecting one of those two, or Drake Maye, with a top-three pick, seeing it as a worthwhile and possibly more cost-effective decision than committing to four years with Mayfield.

Baker Mayfield’s stellar season: Is he bound for Brady’s old team?

Based on Mayfield’s impressive performance in the 2023 season, where he led Tampa Bay to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs, it’s clear he deserves a starting quarterback position. With a 64.3% completion rate, 28 touchdowns, and 4,044 passing yards, Mayfield’s skills are quite evident. His ability to perform well under pressure, with an 87.9 passer rating when pressured and a 36.6% completion rate in tight windows, ranks among the league’s best.

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But Mayfield could potentially act as a bridge quarterback to develop the future franchise QB, or the Patriots might offer him a substantial salary if they can’t secure their preferred quarterback with the third overall pick. Could Mayfield become the ideal addition to Brady’s former team?