The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might have to worry about Baker Mayfield leaving for the New England Patriots this offseason.
According to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, there are people within the Patriots’ organization who are quite supportive of Mayfield.
For starters, Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt coached Mayfield in Cleveland. There’s a preexisting connection there that can’t be ignored.
Van Pelt isn’t the only coach in New England’s building who believes in Mayfield.
From the Boston Herald’s report:
It’s not a surprise that Mayfield is liked by members of the staff. 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. Patriots senior personnel advisor Pat Stewart and senior offensive assistant Ben McAdoo spent time with Mayfield with the Panthers, as well.
Mayfield had a career year with the Buccaneers, throwing for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns. He led Tampa Bay to the divisional round of the playoffs.
If the Buccaneers want to keep Mayfield around for the long haul, they’ll need to be willing to spend this offseason.
The Patriots, on the other hand, could afford to lose the Mayfield sweepstakes. After all, they have the No. 3 pick in the draft and many analysts expect them to use it on a quarterback.