Longshot quarterback options who could make Saints a contender in 2022

5. Baker Mayfield

After a thrilling career at Oklahoma that ended with him winning the Heisman Trophy, Baker Mayfield broke the mold for how NFL quarterbacks should look when he went No. 1 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. The swagger he brought to Cleveland made people think that he’d be the quarterback who could turn the Browns franchise around.

While Mayfield has had success in Cleveland, the Browns haven’t been as successful as people were anticipating. After they traded for OBJ, people assumed the Browns would be Super Bowl contenders but that hasn’t played out the way the franchise had hoped.

This year has been rough for Mayfield, as the former No. 1 overall pick has thrown for 2,166 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions through 10 starts. He’s been injured throughout the year, which could explain his struggles, but even though the Browns picked up Mayfield’s fifth-year option, it’s not a guarantee that he returns to the team in 2022.

Last month, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk brought up the topic of a Mayfield extension in Cleveland and noted that it might not happen for the current Browns signal-caller. He notes that the Browns might not want to pay Mayfield what most quarterbacks are earning these days and they could also opt to upgrade at the position.

Saints fans might wonder — If the Browns don’t want Mayfield, why should the Saints?

Mayfield is a complex character, sure, but the guy has talent. He threw for 26 touchdowns and just eight picks last year en route to a Browns playoff berth. The Saints would need to get more receivers in order for Mayfield to be successful but with Alvin Kamara and a talented defense, Mayfield could benefit greatly from a change of scenery.