Report: Saints Could Have Interest in QB Baker Mayfield

According to reports, the Saints could turn their attention to a former top overall draft choice if they cannot land Derek Carr.

Bob Rose | Feb 14, 2023

Report: Saints Could Have Interest in QB Baker Mayfield /

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New Orleans Saints

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported on Monday night that the New Orleans Saints could have interest in QB Baker Mayfield once NFL free agency officially begins in March.

The Saints have also shown significant interest in Las Vegas Raiders QB Derek Carr. They met with Carr for two days last week. However, it was announced over the weekend that Carr would not waive his no-trade clause, even though New Orleans was the only team to meet with him. He'll now be released by the Raiders, where New Orleans should still be among the teams who could land him in free agency.

If they can't, the Saints could turn their focus to free agent Mayfield, reports Breer.

''• For what it’s worth, by all accounts, the Saints’ two-day visit with Carr went well. The quarterback has maintained a relationship with Dennis Allen, his first NFL coach, over the years, so I’d expect New Orleans to take another stab at Carr in free agency.

Another quarterback to watch in free agency for New Orleans would be Baker Mayfield. The Saints staff was high on Mayfield ahead of the 2018 draft, and those old draft evals can definitely have an impact down the road with guys as they get older and hit free agency, especially when there’s a need that can be tied to it.''

- Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated

Jan 3, 2022; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY

Mayfield, who turns 28 in April, was the 1st overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns out of Oklahoma. In four years with Cleveland, he had a 29-30 record as a starter while completing 61.6% of his throws for 14,125 yards with 92 touchdowns and 56 interceptions.

Mayfield helped lead the Browns to the playoffs in 2020, throwing for 26 touchdowns and just 8 interceptions while averaging 223 yards per game through the air. It was Cleveland's first postseason appearance in 18 years.

After struggling with a shoulder injury in 2021, Mayfield was traded to the Carolina Panthers in the offseason following Cleveland's acquisition of QB Deshaun Watson. He'd appear in seven games for the Panthers, going 1-5 as a starter, before being released at mid-season.

Mayfield's only victory with Carolina was against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3. He completed 12 of 25 throws for 170 yards and a touchdown in a 22-14 win.

Mayfield would sign with the Los Angeles Rams to finish out the 2022 campaign. He'd start four games for the injury-ravaged Rams down the stretch and complete 63.6% of his passes for 850 yards with 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

Jan 8, 2023; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield (17) passes against the Seattle Seahawks. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans is still expected to be among the frontrunners for Derek Carr once he's released this week. Mayfield is among the free agent quarterbacks that include Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby Brissett, Daniel Jones, and Geno Smith who could also be available.

The Saints ranked 16th in passing production last season with quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton. Winston is expected to be released by the team, while the 35-year-old Dalton is an unrestricted free agent.

New Orleans has started five different quarterbacks in 34 games over the last two seasons since the retirement of Drew Brees. Those players include Dalton, Winston, Taysom Hill, Ian Book, and Trevor Siemian.

The free agency negotiating period begins on March 13, with teams permitted to officially sign available players on March 15.

''• For what it’s worth, by all accounts, the Saints’ two-day visit with Carr went well. The quarterback has maintained a relationship with Dennis Allen, his first NFL coach, over the years, so I’d expect New Orleans to take another stab at Carr in free agency.

- Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated

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