Baker Mayfield Is Being Linked To An AFC Team Nobody Saw Coming
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Baker Mayfield remains a central figure in quarterback speculation. Recent reports have linked him to a surprising AFC destination. Multiple voices have floated the idea in recent days.
Dan Graziano of ESPN mentioned the possibility in a broader look at 2027 quarterback situations. He noted Mayfield could become the latest veteran to join a team that hosted Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Aaron Rodgers since Ben Roethlisberger retired.
“Who knows? Maybe he’s the latest veteran to land with the Steelers,” wrote Graziano.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk offered a similar take. He suggested Mayfield might take less money to join the team.
“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.
Florio does the best choose your own adventures https://t.co/bmLMHqKBSc pic.twitter.com/YFUsXQqK8R
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) August 10, 2026
Baker Mayfield Contract Situation Creates Uncertainty
Amid stalled contract extension talks, Mayfield has expressed a desire to finish his career with his current club. The most likely path remains a long-term extension there. The team could use the franchise tag, but dead money concerns make a new deal more practical.
If negotiations stall or his performance shifts the market, other options could open. The Steelers have struggled to find consistency at quarterback in recent years. It continues searching for stability at the position.
Mayfield’s history adds an ironic layer. The franchise that once drafted him, the Cleveland Browns, later moved on. Ending up with its longtime rival would create a notable storyline.
Baker Mayfield Fit Depends on Performance and Market
A strong season could price his current team out of an extension. In that case, a club with available salary space might pursue him. A weaker year could allow a buyer to acquire him at a lower cost and let him compete with younger options.
Graziano still views an extension with his present team as the primary outcome. He expects the AFC club to eventually evaluate its own young quarterbacks and draft picks as the longer-term solution.
“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.”
The rumors remain speculative. Still, the repeated mentions from different analysts keep the possibility alive. Baker Mayfield’s next chapter will depend on how the coming season and negotiations unfold.
