Claiming Baker Mayfield would only exacerbate Saints' QB issues
By Kristen Wong
More is not merrier, and the New Orleans Saints would do well to avoid adding Baker Mayfield to their quarterback room in 2023.
On Monday, the Carolina Panthers released quarterback Baker Mayfield as both sides decided to mutually part ways. The Panthers had seen enough of Mayfield in seven games this season, and Mayfield likely wants a fresh start after putting together his worst campaign of his career.
Should the Saints try to get the controversial quarterback off waivers? For the sake of what little stability the Saints have left, probably not.
Mayfield seems to attract drama wherever he goes, and a quarterback of his reputation seems destined to complicate matters for the Saints rather than smooth out the wrinkles.
Mayfield was traded to the Panthers this past offseason but was benched not even halfway through the season. He had compiled a 1-5 record as a starter and threw as many touchdowns as he did interceptions (six) before ceding the starting job to P.J. Walker.
His inconsistent play reminds us of a current quarterback rostered on the Saints: Jameis Winston. What's the point of bringing on another unhinged, pick-prone, and inaccurate signal-caller?
Saints have nothing to lose or gain from Baker Mayfield in 2022
I don't see what it would hurt, and beggars can't be choosers. I also feel the same way about Baker Mayfield as I do Jameis Winston. they are who they are after playing 70 games in the NFL. nothing worth getting excited about/worried over https://t.co/y1hZsWAFA7
— John Sigler (@john_siglerr) December 5, 2022
SaintsWire's John Sigler noted that pursuing Mayfield "wouldn't hurt," but that's not a good enough reason to add a third quarterback halfway through the season.
With Winston not fully healthy, NOLA will probably roll out with a combination of Andy Dalton and Taysom Hill under center for the rest of the season. Those two can't consistently win games for the Saints, and last week's shutout loss to the 49ers saw the offense admittedly hit rock bottom, yet adding Mayfield won't solve anything.
He'll serve as another mediocre option whose ceiling is all too obvious after playing 70 games in the NFL. He's in the same boast as Winston, only more high-maintenance and carrying much more baggage.
Claiming Mayfield -- if he falls to the Saints on the waiver wire in the first place -- indeed may not hurt that much. The Saints can afford it. In the grand scheme of things, the Saints have nothing left to lose.
Mayfield was at the helm when the Panthers beat the Saints earlier this season, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Mayfield will not save NOLA's 2022 season.
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The franchise has far too many other problems it has to fix (offensive play-calling, sloppy penalties, a nonexistent run game) and simply doesn't need another temperamental variable in the mix.