Five ideal landing spots for Baker Mayfield
By Andy Davies
Baker Mayfield has been the most talked about quarterback over the past seven days.
“I wanted a deal done and set the deadline and told them it was gonna be all ball after that”, said the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback during a training camp media session on Thursday.
“I’m at the point in my career, understanding what I’ve brought to this franchise. I’m very, very thankful for the chance they gave me, don’t get me wrong about that, but I also know, I really know what I brought to this franchise, leadership-wise and play-wise. It’s been some of the best years of my career.
“So disappointing in that regard to not have, to feel disrespected a little bit. That’s really the disappointing part, to feel undervalued after thinking you’ve earned it. This is not a ‘poor me’ thing. There’s a lot of people who have it way worse off. But I can sit here and look at other quarterbacks and peers and evaluate myself based on that and put myself in certain categories that I deserve to be compensated for that.
“I think I’m a franchise quarterback. I’ve been told I’m a franchise quarterback. It’s been said publicly from ownership down here. So, to not have a deal done is very disappointing. But I said the deadline was the deadline.”
Nobody knows what the future will hold for Baker. Whether he is traded away, walks away through Free Agency in the next offseason or signs a new deal, Baker is going to be someone with a lot of media spotlight.
Here are five ideal landing spots for Mayfield should he leave the organisation.
Pittsburgh Steelers
No team suits Baker more than the Pittsburgh Steelers.
His intensity, swagger and confidence would fit in well with the Steelers organisation.
There would also be a quarterback spot available next season.
Aaron Rodgers has confirmed that the 2026 season will be the last of his exceptional career. There is no guarantee that the front office will have faith in Will Howard or Drew Allar.
Whilst Howard and Allar would be ones for the future, Mayfield is a guaranteed performer, someone who they know can perform at the top level in the NFL.
With DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr and Pat Freiermuth to throw to, these would be enticing options for Mayfield.
Minnesota Vikings
There’s enticing options to throw to, and then there’s the ones that the Minnesota Vikings possess.
In Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and TJ Hockenson, this is one of the best offensive trios a quarterback can ever wish for.
There is also a long history of success when working with quarterbacks for Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. The chance to work with him would be a great opportunity for Mayfield.
He may even get the chance to start straight away. Whilst they added Kyler Murray in the offseason, they may feel the opportunity to get Mayfield is too good to turn down.
The franchise does not seem too sold on JJ McCarthy, and he could be sent the other way in exchange for Mayfield.
Playing in US Bank Stadium to the soundtrack of the Vikings horn, alongside some great offensive weapons, this could be a match made in heaven for Baker.
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons have their own quarterback health issues.
Injury concerns to both Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr has forced the Falcons to sign former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush.
The chance to play against former team the Carolina Panthers would really appeal to Baker.
He would also be playing for an offense with some great options.
Not only do the Falcons have one of the league’s most exciting running backs in Bijan Robinson, but they also have the likes of Drake London and Kyle Pitts. As an offense, this would be a great fit for Mayfield.
However, the one sticking point would be the fact new Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski traded him out of the Cleveland Browns back in 2021.
Baker has publicly criticised Stefanski, and there is a high chance he will not want to be reunited with his former head coach. If he was to look past that, then this is an exciting offensive group to play alongside.
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals, thanks to a tough schedule, are many people’s prediction to have the first overall pick in 2027. Their roster should not be overlooked, particularly on offense.
Arizona have the best tight end in the NFL in Trey McBride. In Marvin Harrison Jr, they have a highly rated college wide receiver just waiting to break out.
This is a team with many holes, but Baker could be the guy to fix their problems.
As someone who likes to play golf, as was seen in the latest series of ‘Quarterback’ on Netflix, Arizona would be a massive draw in terms of a place to live.
Houston Texans
This one seems the most out there suggestion.
It would have seemed crazy to suggest that the Houston Texans move on from quarterback CJ Stroud after an impressive rookie year.
However, his 2025 struggles have brought fear into the Texans fanbase. With such a great roster, especially on defense, the Texans may feel their window is opening.
This is especially given how open the AFC is this year. Under DeMeco Ryans and the league’s best defense, Mayfield would not be required to throw for 5,000 passing yards or 50 passing touchdowns for the Texans to win games.
As Sam Darnold proved with the Seattle Seahawks, if your defense is good then all you need to do is be competent. This is not something that Stroud can say he was last season. In a disastrous Divisional Round performance, Stroud threw for four interceptions. The Texans only lost by six. If he had be more careful with the ball, there’s a good chance they would have won the game. A Denver Broncos team starting a backup quarterback were there in waiting for whoever won that game. This was a fantastic chance for the Texans to reach their first AFC Championship and Super Bowl.
Having someone such as Baker in, who isn’t perfect by all means, would represent an upgrade at the position and could be the exact one the franchise needs to take the next step.
ANDY DAVIES
NFL ANALYST
ANDY IS A SPORTS JOURNALISM GRADUATE WITH OVER SIX YEARS EXPERIENCE OF NFL WRITING AND PODCASTING. ANDY HAS BEEN TO EVERY NFL STADIUM AND IS THE HOST OF THE ACROSS THE POD PODCAST. HE HAS PRESS PASS EXPERIENCE AT THE LONDON GAMES AND MANY OTHER NFL BASED EVENTS SUCH AS SUPER BOWL LIX AND LX, HAVING INTERVIEWED THE LIKES OF AARON RODGERS, JUSTIN JEFFERSON, JASON BELL, OSI UMENYIORA, PATRICK MAHOMES, TRAVIS KELCE, DERRICK HENRY, SAQUON BARKLEY AND JALEN HURTS.