3 teams that should try to sign Baker Mayfield as a backup if released

Off-the-wall Baker Mayfield team no. 2: Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions made a blockbuster trade in the 2021 offseason, sending former top pick Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams where he won a Super Bowl in his first season under center.

In return for Stafford, the Lions got a bunch of draft picks but also quarterback Jared Goff, who is in the midst of a four-year contract he signed with the Los Angeles Rams.

After the 2022 season, the Lions have an “out” in Goff’s contract that would save them over $20 million on next year’s salary cap.

Right now, the Lions’ backups are Tim Boyle and David Blough, not exactly guys you want to have out there if Jared Goff gets injured and you’re trying to win games.

Although they simply didn’t have the talent to finish games last season, we saw that this Detroit Lions team is deliberately rebuilding but certainly not tanking. Their effort on a weekly basis was pretty great.

Even though Goff had a solid second half of the 2021 season, it would be fascinating to see Detroit take a shot on Baker Mayfield, who could be franchise or transition tagged in 2023 to be kept around for another season after serving as Jared Goff’s backup for a year.

Again, these ideas are far-fetched and NFL teams aren’t likely to just throw around cash and tags like that, but it’s something to think about, at least.

The Lions have an exciting group of young wide receivers and not only that, they have a pretty great offensive core in general.

Instead of taking on another cap hit over $30 million for Jared Goff next offseason, Detroit could play this season by ear and try to acquire Mayfield, having him as an option for the 2023 season as the bridge starter for a rookie quarterback.

A number of teams would probably have interest in doing something like this, or they should.

Imagine the Lions are not doing well as a team and Jared Goff is struggling. Baker Mayfield comes in at some point this season and leads them on a string of wins, elevating the play of everyone around him.

That kind of thing could benefit Baker Mayfield, it would benefit the Detroit Lions, and it could be done for a pretty reasonable cost at this point.