The Pittsburgh Steelers could be in the quarterback market when free agency begins in March. But while the team could use an upgrade behind center, the Steelers are likely looking for signal callers to compete for former first-round pick Kenny Pickett. The ideal quarterback for this role could be veteran Baker Mayfield.Gordon McGuinness of Pro Football Focus named Mayfield as one of the free agents the Steelers should target this upcoming offseason.”It seems very likely that Mayfield will remain with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but if he hits free agency, the Steelers should be the first team to pick up the phone,” McGuinness wrote. “Although Mayfield did not live up to the standards of the former No. 1 pick, he returned for his second and third seasons with the Cleveland Browns, earning a 74.6 PFF grade with 25 big throws and 24 carries. 2023 regular season. .”Mayfield was selected first overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2018 NFL Draft. As the first pick, he signed a four-year contract worth around $32.7 million before his rookie season.Mayfield led Tampa Bay Buccaneers to 9 points. 8 records with 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2023..
Why Baker Mayfield Could Fit With the Pittsburgh Steelers
ESPN’s Marcus Spears pegged Kirk Cousins ​​as the Steelers’ choice, while several NFL experts paired Pittsburgh with fellow veteran Russell Wilson.But those quarterbacks don’t make sense for the Steelers unless the team wants to move on from Pickett. That’s not the organization’s current plan, based on what head coach Mike Tomlin said in his postseason press conference.”I appreciate his efforts and where he’s at, and I’m excited to continue working with him,” Tomlin told reporters on Jan. 18. “But going forward, he will definitely be challenged from a competitive standpoint.”Competition brings out the best in all of us.”Cousins ​​and Wilson do not compete with each other. They would make Pickett a clear backup.Mayfield played late in 2023 as a rookie, but that was his best stretch in years. Depending on what contract he gets in free agency, he could still compete to be a starter in 2024.But unlike most other free-agent quarterbacks, Mayfield is a potential upgrade over Pickett if he hits his stride. as he did in the playoffs.Mayfield threw for 686 yards in two playoff games this season..
Mayfield Returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
The 28-year-old is an intriguing prospect for the Steelers. But the question is whether he is available or not.ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler thought he wouldn’t. Fowler predicted on January 24 that the Pirates would re-sign Mayfield.”I’m not sure it makes sense to go after somebody else like Russell Wilson or Justin Fields if I’m not sure it’s a significant upgrade,” the NFC personnel evaluator told Fowler. – Mayfield isn’t perfect, but you can win games with him. He’s streaky, but when he gets hot, he can produce like a top-10 guy.”Mayfield is 40-46 as a career NFL starter. He completed 61.9% of his passes and averaged 7.2 yards per attempt, 130 with a touchdown. and 74 interceptions.If Mayfield doesn’t hit the open market, an older veteran like Ryan Tannehill could become another potential target for the Steelers.Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter who covers the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions for Heavy.com. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb covered college and professional sports for outlets such as Fansided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. Contact Dave Holcomb onfor more information.
