Rumors Link Patriots to Top Free Agent Quarterback
The New England Patriots are among the few teams who will decide how the 2024 quarterback landscape ultimately shakes out. Their staggering amount of cap space, paired with the No. 3 overall pick, gives New England no shortage of paths to upgrading under center.
While many believe the third selection will be used on a QB, that assumption would change if the Pats land a veteran in free agency. And there's a legit buzz around the team targeting one big name in particular.
"We've all assumed that Baker [Mayfield] just goes right back to Tampa. Don't sleep on the New England Patriots. If the New England Patriots are in the Baker business then the No. 3 pick is up for sale."
— Savage (@SavageSports_) March 3, 2024
Oh boy. 👀 pic.twitter.com/XPLTk2Jpqt
Speaking during NFL Network's coverage of the Scouting Combine, draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah shared a very intriguing nugget about the Pats and Baker Mayfield. Jeremiah said he's been told not to "sleep" on New England possibly stealing Mayfield from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are viewed as the former No. 1 pick's likely landing spot in free agency.
Jeremiah also pointed out that if the Patriots sign an upper-tier QB in free agency, the third selection could be up for grabs via trading down.
The buzz around Mayfield and New England was started when the Pats hired Alex Van Pelt as their next offensive coordinator. The two previously had success together while both were on the Cleveland Browns, though a potential reunion was just hypothetical.
Then Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reported from the combine that Mayfield has support within the building, while Jeremiah's separate intel just adds to this speculation.
Impending free agent Baker Mayfield has supporters from within the Patriots' organization, per sources.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) March 1, 2024
More on potential QBs: https://t.co/d2zWCSnnVH
It's great to see New England considering several routes to improve at QB instead of being locked in on just one. Drafting a young signal-caller to take over is exciting, but it doesn't come without risk, as the Mac Jones saga showed.
Inking a veteran talent to take over instead would accelerate the new regime's plan to return to contention. Flush with cap space as well, they're easily set up to surround that quarterback with the targets to succeed.
With the start of free agency right around the corner, we'll know very soon what the Pats decide to do at QB.
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