Baker Mayfield: 3 NFL teams that could take a chance on free agent QB in 2023

Baker Mayfield is looking for a new home, as the former first overall pick of the 2018 NFL draft just completed his short-term spell with the Los Angeles Rams. Mayfield wasn't half bad for the Rams. He at least proved to the rest of the league that he deserves a shot at center for another franchise heading into the 2023 NFL season.

Which teams should take a flier on a former No. 1 pick with a cannon of an arm? Yes, he has some drawbacks, but which QB in the NFL is perfect? So without further ado, let's look at three potential new homes for the Oklahoma State University alum.

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Top Landing Spots for Baker Mayfield in 2023

Here are three landing spots for Baker Mayfield, in terms of the third-best fit to the best for the former Heisman Trophy winner:

#3 Houston Texans

The Houston Texans hold the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, so they could draft one of Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Will Levis or even Antony Richardson. All the aforementioned players are solid prospects and could significantly upgrade the team's quarterback situation.

However, it would be a fabulous idea for the Texans to sign Baker Mayfield as insurance to ensure that the fresh draft pick can develop with little to no pressure. Furthermore, as a former lottery pick, Mayfield may be the perfect mentor for Young, Stroud or Levis to ensure that they don't make the same mistakes he did. Moreover, Mayfield can still sling the rock with the best of them when he's in the mood.

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#2 Los Angeles Rams

Hey, this looks like cheating, but hear us out. The Rams signed Mayfield as a backup option towards the end of the 2022 NFL season, and he was terrific. The former Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers shot caller helped lead the Rams to some respectable wins, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Matt Stafford, the Rams' No. 1 quarterback, is still injured, and there's no timeline for his return. The Rams could do with having Mayfield as a stop-gap option till Stafford comes returns from injury. The best part is that Mayfield won't command that high a contract as well.

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#1 San Francisco 49ers

Kyle Shanahan has already proven that he can win NFL regular season games with the most unorthodox of quarterbacks.

He did it with a rapidly declining Jimmy Garoppolo; he did it with Mr. Irrelevant 2022, Brock Purdy, and Baker Mayfield might just be the next in line for the Shanahan special. The best part is that Mayfield could act as a placeholder QB depending on whether Purdy or Trey Lance returns from injury.

Shanahan will likely give him his best shot at a Super Bowl game appearance if Baker shines. If he doesn't, he could be binned, as the 49ers have one of the finest young QB rooms in the league. It's a win-win for both parties.