Baker Mayfield Rumors: Patriots 'Very High' on Bucs QB Amid Falcons, NFL Draft Buzz

The New England Patriots' possession of the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL draft might not stop them from pursuing a veteran quarterback in free agency.

The Patriots are "very high" on Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, according to The Athletic's Jeff Howe.

Howe considers the Patriots' likelihood of acquiring Mayfield a "long shot."

Reasons why include New England's draft position, rumors that the Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons are also interested in Mayfield, and projections that Mayfield's next contract could be worth $120 million.

Mayfield recorded a career-high 4,044 passing yards and 28 touchdowns in 17 starts on a one-year deal for the Buccaneers in 2023.

Howe's report echoes a Friday story from Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, who noted that Mayfield "has supporters from within the Patriots' organization."

Patriots de facto general manager Eliot Wolf was with the Cleveland Browns when they selected Mayfield with the top pick of the 2018 draft, Kyed noted, while New England offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney coached Mayfield in Cleveland.

It is unclear if that connection will be enough to draw Mayfield away from Tampa Bay, where NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported in January there is mutual interest between Mayfield and the Buccaneers in a return.

Although the Buccaneers have the option to franchise-tag Mayfield, they are expected to use the tag on safety Antoine Winfield Jr., according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

Stroud wrote in February the Buccaneers "are committed to trying to retain" Mayfield, but were hesitant to use a franchise tag that would cost the team at least $36.3 million in 2024.

If Mayfield hits free agency, the Falcons will also be interested, according to a report from Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda. Pauline noted that the Falcons will pursue Mayfield if they are unable to complete a trade with the Chicago Bears for Justin Fields.

Mayfield said after the Bucs' Super Wild Card loss to the Detroit Lions that he wants to "get the band back together" in Tampa Bay, per NFL.com's Eric Edholm. But if the Buccaneers aren't willing to pay up, the Patriots or Falcons could be waiting in the wings to sign him instead.