Patriots reportedly make Baker Mayfield, Kirk Cousins decision

Quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Kirk Cousins are routinely mentioned as potential options for the New England Patriots assuming the two reach free agency later this month. 

According to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, sources have revealed that "Mayfield has supporters from within the Patriots' organization" thanks to relationships he built during his tenure with the Cleveland Browns that ran from 2018 through the 2021 season and his time with the Carolina Panthers in 2022. 

"He was drafted by a front office that included current Patriots de facto general manager Eliot Wolf and coached by offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney with the Browns," Kyed explained. "Patriots senior personnel advisor Pat Stewart and senior offensive assistant Ben McAdoo spent time with Mayfield with the Panthers, as well." 

Interestingly, Kyed added that sources say the Patriots "have not yet shown interest in Cousins." Meanwhile, as recently as this week, it was said that Mayfield "really liked" Van Pelt "a lot" when they worked together. 

The Patriots have routinely been linked with so-called bridge options at quarterback such as veteran Joe Flacco, who played under Van Pelt in Cleveland this past season. Signing somebody like Flacco wouldn't prevent New England from using the third pick of this year's draft on a young signal-caller such as Drake Maye of the North Carolina Tar Heels, as the rookie could sit and learn from the Super Bowl XLVII Most Valuable Player. 

However, Mayfield reportedly could receive a contract worth $34M-$36M annually if he reaches the open market. New England could sign the 28-year-old to such a deal and, as Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports predicted, draft Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. third overall. The Patriots could also sell choice No. 3 to move down in the first round and collect up to three second-round selections.

Of course, such speculation regarding Mayfield will become meaningless if Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht uses the franchise tag to retain the quarterback's rights for 2024 by this Tuesday's deadline for teams to use their tags. Licht may have to do just that to avoid a bidding war, as the Atlanta Falcons also seem interested in finding out if Mayfield will become a free agent before the Falcons make a move for somebody such as Chicago Bears starter Justin Fields.