The Tampa Bay Buccaneers most likely resolution with Baker Mayfield is a long-term extension. However, Dan Graziano of ESPN does not dismiss the Pittsburgh Steelers as a long-shot destination for the Pro Bowl quarterback.
“Who knows? Maybe he’s the latest veteran to land with the Steelers,” wrote Graziano.
As Graziano mentions, he is covering all angles and seeing what a long-shot outcome is. However, it is notable that this prediction came not long after Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk also tied Mayfield to the Steelers.
“I could see him taking less money to go to Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is the perfect — it just feels like the perfect destination for him,” Florio said on an episode of Pardon My Take.
It could just be because the Steelers are often tied to disgruntled veteran quarterbacks. However, multiple different sources have projected Mayfield to the Steelers.
Pittsburgh Steelers Proposed As Long Shot To Sign Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield
GettyThe Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield’s
Two things seem to be tying Mayfield to the Steelers. The first is their revolving door at quarterback. Since Ben Roethlisberger retired, the Steelers have tried Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Aaron Rodgers.
Mayfield would fit into the mold of most of those quarterbacks. They have been trying to find the right veteran who had past success with another team and hope that it was the environment that let them down. That would be Mayfield if things went south in Tampa Bay.
At the same time, Mayfield might have an affinity for Pittsburgh. As Florio noted, they are the hated rivals of the Cleveland Browns. The Browns let Mayfield go to trade for Deshaun Watson.
It would be ironic if Mayfield ended up filling their rivals’ need at quarterback before the Browns resolved all of their issues from the Watson deal.
Bucs Might Be Better Fit for Mayfield than Steelers
However, Graziano noted that the most likely outcome for Mayfield is an extension with the team he is currently on.
“The Bucs could use the franchise tag on him, but with about $30 million in dead money set to hit their 2027 cap because of Mayfield’s contract voiding, they’re better off giving in to his demands and signing him to a long-term contract before the void date,” wrote Graziano. “Mayfield says he wants to finish his career as a Buc.”
Beyond that, the most likely outcome for the Steelers involved letting the young quarterbacks on their roster develop and eventually compete to start.
“Rodgers rides off into the sunset, and the Steelers are left to evaluate Allar, Howard, and potential 2027 draft picks as their long-term solution,” wrote Graziano.
So, it is not expected that Mayfield will spurn his current team only to get payback on the team that drafted him. However, with multiple sources tying the pieces together, it has to be a development that bears watching.
If Mayfield plays well, the Bucs might end up priced out of his range. The Steelers have the salary cap space. If Mayfield struggles, the Steelers can buy low and have him compete with the draft picks. A few scenarios could lead to Mayfield on the Steelers.
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