Saints Rumors: NOLA listed as landing spot for Baker Mayfield in 2022

The New Orleans Saints have started four different quarterbacks this season and they’ll definitely be in search of one in the 2022 offseason. That’s where a lot of the Saints rumors will stem from this offseason. One name they were linked to recently was Baker Mayfield of the Cleveland Browns.

With the news that Mayfield won’t be playing in the Browns’ final game of the 2021 season, obviously NFL talking heads are going to discuss the future of the former No. 1 overall pick. The Browns haven’t extended Mayfield yet and while he’s under contract in 2022 by way of the fifth-year option, that doesn’t mean Cleveland will roll with him under center.

Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports came up with seven potential landing spots for Mayfield in 2022 and the Saints were listed, coming in at No. 5.

"They’ve got more salary-cap maneuvering to do before they can make any real moves at QB, but Sean Payton could see a higher floor with Mayfield than the alternatives — chiefly Taysom Hill or a rehabbing Jameis Winston. New Orleans could (and probably should) target a rookie in the draft, but perhaps they’d prefer to win now with their defense."

Saints Rumors: Could Baker Mayfield be a realistic trade target?

Mayfield was quite the college prospect during his time at Oklahoma, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2017 for throwing for over 4,600 yards, 43 touchdowns, and six interceptions while rushing for another 311 yards and five scores on the ground.

The only true knock on Mayfield was his size. He’s 6’0″ and that’s why people weren’t sure he was “first-round material”.

Well, not only did Mayfield go in the first round, but he went No. 1 overall to the Cleveland Browns and immediately changed the narrative there. After a promising rookie season, everyone was buying into the Browns and dubbing them Super Bowl champions, especially after they added Odell Beckham Jr. through a trade with the Giants.

While that didn’t exactly work out, the Browns did make the playoffs in the 2020 season and shocked the world by blowing the doors off of Pittsburgh at Heinz Field in postseason play. Mayfield finished that season with 3,563 yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.

Year 4 hasn’t gone according to plan for Mayfield though and that’s why he’s potentially going to be on the move this offseason. The Browns might be contenders to land someone like Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson due to what they have to offer (good offensive line, good run game, decent defense) and if they can land a name like that, Mayfield will surely be on his way out.

The Saints will also throw their hats into the ring for Rodgers or Wilson but the organization has to be realistic about what they can offer teams for those guys. Landing someone like Mayfield would be more affordable and with Mayfield healthy next season, the hope is that he’ll be more like his 2020 version rather than the guy who could barely walk this season.

Mayfield has the swagger and confidence that teams love to see from their quarterback but sometimes he runs his mouth a little too much. Saints fans probably wouldn’t be excited about Mayfield landing with the team and I get why, as he hasn’t looked like a No. 1 overall pick.

A change of scenery could do wonders for him though and the Saints have the offensive line, run game, and outstanding defense that could put him in a better situation to succeed.

This isn’t an ideal situation but I guess it could be worse, right?