Are the Atlanta Falcons a fit for Baker Mayfield?

Despite having Marcus Mariota under contract for the next two years the Atlanta Falcons will remain active in the quarterback market. Whether it is a trade, signing, or more likely an early draft pick next off-season all options should be on the table for the Atlanta Falcons to find their quarterback of the future including Baker Mayfield.

Let’s be clear here outside of one great 11-game stretch Baker hasn’t put anything on tape that will make a team believe he is the long-term answer. The Browns gave up on Baker before his rookie contract is even over speaks to what his own franchise thinks of him.

After landing Deshaun Watson, Baker is expendable and will be cut or traded before the off-season ends. It is important to note here that Atlanta cannot afford to pay Mayfield due to their current cap space. The only way Baker lands in Atlanta is on a bargain deal in free agency or trade with the Browns that leaves Cleveland paying a large portion of Baker’s salary.

For the right price bringing Baker to Atlanta is absolutely a move that the Falcons should be considering. He has put more on tape in three seasons as a starter than Marcus Mariota has in his career. Both are arguably going to ultimately be draft busts but in a rebuilding season what does Atlanta have to lose by bringing Baker in? There is the off chance that Baker proves to be a franchise quarterback and the long-term answer for the Falcons. However unlikely this scenario is it is a possibility for a team that has no reason to be loyal to Mariota. Acquiring Baker allows the two players to compete in camp and the pre-season and allow the team and their performance to tell you who the starter should be.

Also of note here is that this is obviously a potential fit only if the Falcons aren’t willing to take a quarterback in this year’s draft class. If Atlanta has the ability to draft Sam Howell or Malik Willis in the right position Baker shouldn’t be an option.

Baker Mayfield appears to be very similar to the quarterback Atlanta currently has penciled in as a starter. A former early-first-round pick who has failed to live up to expectations and is a low-tier starter in this league.

However, his swagger and ability he flashed in the Brown’s run to the playoffs two years ago sets him apart from Mariota and is enough for the Falcons to take a chance in the right situation that Baker is still capable of being the player the Browns thought he was.