After requesting his Panthers exit, Baker Mayfield is on waivers. More than $1MM remains on the former No. 1 overall pick’s contract, complicating a potential late-season claim. But the 49ers certainly make sense as a team that would consider such a move.
The contending team lost its second quarterback to a severe injury; Jimmy Garoppolo will be shut down for the third time during his five-plus-season San Francisco tenure. Kyle Shanahan addressed Mayfield’s availability Monday, but the sixth-year 49ers HC is not expecting the team to add the ex-Browns and Panthers starter.
“We look into everything, but that would surprise me right now,” Shanahan said, via ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner (on Twitter). “We’ve got to discuss more this afternoon. I’ve always been a fan of his, but I feel really good about our players. We’ll look into everything but I feel pretty good with where we’re at.”
With Garoppolo expected to land on IR, the 49ers will have only 2022 Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy and journeyman extraordinaire Josh Johnson — set to begin his fourth stint with the team after spending the season on Denver’s practice squad — as available quarterbacks. Mayfield, 27, would make sense as an addition here, given his pedigree. But it would be asking a lot for the scuffling QB to digest Shanahan’s complex offense and be positioned to make a quick impact. That said, Purdy is obviously set for a massive responsibility increase. If Mayfield lingers in free agency, the 49ers would have an interesting option.
While Mayfield played a major role in snapping the Browns’ near-20-year playoff drought two years ago, he has not replicated that form often since. The four-year Browns starter did play in a Shanahan-style offense in Cleveland, and the Panthers were impressed with how quickly he picked up Ben McAdoo‘s offense. But no turnaround from an injury-plagued 2021 commenced. QBR slots Mayfield as by far this season’s worst starter. Mayfield’s 18.2 figure would rank as the second-worst number in the QBR era; only Jimmy Clausen‘s 2010 rookie season — also with Carolina — produced a worst result (13.8).
Purdy displayed somewhat surprising effectiveness in the 49ers’ win over the Dolphins, completing 25 of 37 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns. Purdy threw 1,467 college passes as a four-year Iowa State starter, and while those throws did not generate much draft interest, his debut went better than Trey Lance‘s first extensive outing last season. Purdy’s performance also prompted the 49ers to release Nate Sudfeld this offseason; the team then kept the No. 262 overall pick as its third-stringer entering the season. That said, teams now having time to prepare for Purdy could change the equation — even with the 49ers deploying a four-All-Pro offense.
For now, the Purdy-Johnson duo will be how San Francisco attempts to pick up the Garoppolo pieces. It will be interesting if Mayfield lands with a team before season’s end.
I’m not a scout, but it’s pretty clear Baker isn’t good.
Baker isn’t going to move the needle much for any team but a GM who adds him can at least create the impression that he’s trying to upgrade a weak depth chart.
Nobody available will move the needle much.
How can he “feel good about the guys we have”…? You have a rookie who was the last pick in the draft and a guy who couldn’t make the Broncos awful
roster
But that guy did do pretty well when called upon by the Jets last season. Also, even with the awful Broncos roster, they were not about to give up on the guy they spent the farm on.
Juz, should he instead say “we want to bring inBaker cuz i dont feel good about the guys we have”. And should he also juzsaydat Brocks passer rating Sunday was higher than Mayfields career passer rating but “we still don’t feel good about Brock”
Because Brock went out there and did a great job for the 49ers and should continue to do well. Just don’t turn the ball over and let your opponents make the mistakes. See Miami.
Forget Mayfield. Too much cap money for Niners to pay. Instead, stay with Purdy. I like him. A gritty, hard working player who knows when to sling the ball.
Forget advancing in the playoffs. “I thought I saw a Purdy cat” may help the team tread water to win the disaster of the NFC West, but counting on him in the playoffs is a fool’s errand (despite the gritty style points).
All he has to do is play point guard and distribute the ball to their weapons. He might be asked to maybe complete the occasional deep pass, but heck, Jimmy couldn’t do that either on a consistent basis..lol
Purdy knowing the offense gives him a giant bonus, because that is what ultimately matters the most to Kyle.
They may pick up Baker, let him sit for a few weeks while he learns the offense, and then reassess their situation after they see what Purdy can accomplish.
I think that would be the smartest thing to do honestly, just so they’d have a backup plan..
exactly. Baker may indeed be brought in as some insurance, but he’s certainly not an obvious upgrade over what they already have.
Mayfield is experienced at running an NFL offense. Personally I don’t think Mayfield is a winner. He’s a guy who has the tools but just doesn’t win ala Jeff George. Cleveland had a playoff caliber roster with a very good D, OBJ and Landry at WR, and a top running game, amd Mayfield couldn’t get it done.
Rock out with your Brock out.
$1 million is nothing
“Hey, this guy on line one says he was a former first overall pick and had national endorsement deals and stuff…”
“Tell him we just signed an XFL guy off someone’s practice squad and best of luck.”
The “ Genius” Shanahan will figure it out. The smartest under 500 coach after 6 years ever. The choker of 2 Super Bowls with his “ offensive “ prowess.
Factually incorrect he’s not under 500 and you call losing to mahomes a choke clown clown clown
You must be mad because Lovie is your HC
The job is Purdy’s until he proves he can’t handle it. Looked pretty good in relief yesterday. Why go after the hype of Mayfield who’s proven very little. Hey, maybe Johnny Manziel’s available.
Johnny Clipboard!!!
Kid has never been on a good team! Put him in SF and see what happens
He had OBJ and Landry, a top running game, and a very good D in Cleveland. Couldn’t make the playoffs
Sometimes I think we all forget that there are good QB’s getting drafted in rounds other than the 1st. Yeah I know the Tom Brady story is an anomaly but this guy has been in this offense from day 1 and did well in his first taste of action. Although I feel like Baker is better than he showed this season with a dreadful supporting cast, he’s not the best option for the 49ers at this time moving forward
baker is a good player just puts himself in terrible situations. the getting claimed by the 49ers and catching on there as a backup would be a great career move but i doubt it happens.
what defines a good QB?
his career numbers mirror Trubisky’s and everyone agrees that guys a bust.
not sure why Baker has so many apologists..
First of all, it’s about time we address wtf kinda first name is Baker? More importantly, yes he sucks. When I still see him on commercials as Phil Leotardo would say … “ I’m embarrassed”.
Having said all that .. what do the niners have to lose by signing him at this point?
Mayfield: “I would have had much more success as an NFL QB if only my mother had named me Lyman”.
Speaking of Jimmy Clausen, what’s he up to? Maybe he should inform the 9er’s of his availability.
Buster Mayfield.
Who in their right mind would willingly want Baker Muffdive. A good conversation for another day will be how Trey Lance won’t turn out either.
Funny how the last pick of the 2022 draft is more valuable than the #1 pick from 2018. I’m cheering Purdy