NFL Free Agency Rumors: Baker Mayfield Eyed as Kirk Cousins Backup Plan for Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons figure to do something at the quarterback position this offseason after Desmond Ridder struggled with consistency in 2023, and Baker Mayfield is reportedly an option.

While ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Sunday's SportsCenter that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are "trying to get this done" in regards to re-signing the signal-caller, he also pointed out Mayfield "could be a backup for" the Falcons if they are unable to land Kirk Cousins in free agency.

Mayfield would be quite the consolation prize for the Falcons or any team after he led the Buccaneers to an NFC South crown while completing 64.3 percent of his passes for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

He also guided Tampa Bay to a playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles before they lost to the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round.

Tampa Bay won the division with a 9-8 record, so it's not as if there is a massive gap for the 7-10 Falcons to make up if they are going to be in the playoffs during the upcoming season.

Adding Mayfield would both address their own quarterback needs and be quite the blow for a division rival attempting to repeat. And with weapons such as Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts already in place, the Oklahoma product would likely find immediate success with such a change of scenery.

Atlanta has also been connected to Justin Fields and, as Fowler noted, Cousins this offseason.

Its ability to upgrade the quarterback position will likely be the determining factor for its 2024 campaign, and there is no shortage of quality options at this point. Mayfield being one of those options could mean trouble for the Buccaneers in their own quest to re-sign him.