Baker Mayfield 2023 Outlook
Taking over for the G.O.A.T. in Tampa, Mayfield joins his fourth team in three seasons. The former No. 1 overall pick arrives with modest expectations from Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles. "You don't need to be the guy. We are not looking for a guy to come in here and be Superman. We have great players," Bowles told him. "… You have guys that you can play with and pieces, so you do not have to be the guy. You just really need to drive the car." Expectations from fantasy owners are modest, too, as the one-time face of the Browns has only recorded one 300-yard, multi-TD game since 2020. The Bucs do have some great players, including WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, RB Rachaad White, TE Cade Otton and Pro Bowl linemen Tristan Wirfs and Ryan Jensen. Tampa Bay did not draft a QB, and 2021 second-rounder Kyle Trask will back up an optimistic Mayfield. "This is a great group that just seems like a no B.S. squad that's all about winning," he said.
Baker Mayfield 2022 Outlook
The Panthers and Browns were trying to find a landing spot for Mayfield during the NFL Draft in April. They reportedly couldn't strike a deal on splitting his $18.8 million base salary, prompting the Panthers to pivot to Matt Corral. So what's next for Mayfield? The Panthers and Falcons have drafted quarterbacks. The Seahawks didn't. Other teams that were looking include the Lions and Saints. As Profootballtalk.com suggests, Seattle seems like the obvious landing spot, but they've done nothing to indicate an interest in Mayfield. Maybe they now will, given that Cleveland's options are drying up, and their expectations could be changing. ... In case you somehow missed it, Mayfield is coming off a turbulent season in which his struggles on the field were coupled with a shoulder injury. The former No. 1 overall pick underwent shoulder surgery after missing the final game of the Browns' 8-9 season and despite all the tribulations of the 2021 campaign was reported to be in the Browns' plans for 2021. Those plans clearly changed and the Browns landed Deshaun Watson in a trade with the Texans. They added Jacoby Brissett to back Watson up and Mayfield's future remains very much up in the air.
Baker Mayfield 2021 Outlook
A handful of teams have their franchise quarterback and know it. Others, like the Browns, have seen enough to think they do and plan to build around the quarterback they have. "Until you have a baseline of winning-level quarterback play, it's really difficult to win and make progress in the NFL," GM Andrew Berry said this offseason. "That's something that's definitely not lost on us as an organization." Continued improvement at the position doesn't seem like a reach. Mayfield will not have to learn a new playbook or adjust to a new play caller this offseason. A strong rushing attack and a stable of quality receivers -- including the anticipated return of Odell Beckham Jr. -- add to the optimism. Interestingly, Mayfield averaged 199 passing yards and scored 16-plus fantasy points only once during his six games with Beckham on the field last season. He averaged 241 passing yards and scored 16-plus points five times in nine games without Beckham. As SI.com's Michael Fabiano pointed out, that includes a four-game stretch where he put up an average of nearly 25 fantasy points. Assuming he can figure out how to consistently deliver that higher-end production with a healthy Beckham in the fold, Mayfield projects as a QB2 with fantastic upside.
