Quarterback Baker Mayfield is being watched by both the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots as a possible free agent addition. Atlanta’s top pick, according to reports, is Kirk Cousins. If they are unable to sign their top target, they will try to sign Mayfield as a backup.
Rumors that Tampa Bay is attempting to arrange a trade to send Mayfield to Atlanta began to circulate on Sunday. However, it was kept a secret who the players or draft picks might be involved in the deal. With an incredible £78 million in cap space available to them, the Patriots may select a quarterback third overall in the NFL Draft.
Mayfield, though, is reportedly being considered as a potential addition by them following his stellar Buccaneers season. Mayfield inked a one-year deal with Tampa Bay last March.
After a game against Green Bay in Week 15, he was selected NFC Offensive Player of the Week, which really helped him establish himself. He completed 22 of 28 throws for 381 yards and four touchdowns with a perfect quarterback rating in that game, which helped his side win 34–20.
Supporters are hoping that Mayfield will re-sign to play quarterback for them after such an impressive showing. After he led the Bucs to victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, this feeling only got stronger.
He showed he could be a vital member of the club going forward by completing 22 of 36 passes for 337 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in that game. In 2018, cousins signed a fully guaranteed $84 million three-year contract to play for the Vikings for the first time. He agreed to a $66 million, two-year contract deal with the team in 2020.
The organization extended their faith in him by giving him a $35 million, one-year contract extension that is fully guaranteed through the 2023 campaign. Nevertheless, Cousins had a season-ending torn Achilles during Week 8 and was subsequently placed on injured reserve.
Cousins finished with a 4-4 record, throwing 216 passes for 2,331 yards and 18 touchdowns, despite a season cut short by injuries. Cousins stated that he would need three to four months to heal from his injuries sustained in Michigan in February before he would be ready to play the following season. In addition, he declared that he was planning to exercise his free agency options.
Play signals are called by Baker Mayfield against the Detroit Lions.
Play signals are called by Baker Mayfield against the Detroit Lions. (Photo courtesy of Getty)
With the eighth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Falcons are anticipated to target defensive lineman, wide receiver, edge rusher, quarterback, and cornerback. Malik Nabers, a wide receiver from LSU, and quarterback JJ McCarthy of Michigan are potential selections for the squad. They want to add to the team’s youthful talent, such as Kyle Pitts and Drake London, and increase its offensive potency.
Rumor has it that the Falcons and Chicago Bears are in serious negotiations to trade Justin Fields for the Chicago Bears’ draft pick. Should this transaction proceed, Chicago may have to bid farewell to the youthful quarterback and maybe choose USC’s Caleb Williams with the top choice in the draft. Aiming for transparency in their goals, general manager Ryan Poles emphasized the importance of communicating these decisions as soon as possible.
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