Baker Mayfield’s NFL career could have been very different today if the Baltimore Ravens had taken a move that once appeared to be very close to being a reality. Todd Monken has revealed that Mayfield was looking for a backup role behind Lamar Jackson in Baltimore before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came into play and changed the quarterback’s career trajectory.
Monken, Baltimore's offensive coordinator at the time, said recently that the Ravens were close to adding Mayfield. Speaking to reporters ahead of the Week 2 match-up against the Cleveland Browns, Monken said Baltimore expected Mayfield to join the team after his difficult time with the Carolina Panthers and a short stint with the Los Angeles Rams.
“Only four years ago when I was in Baltimore, we thought he was coming there to be our backup,” Monken said of Mayfield. He added that he was excited about the possibility before the Buccaneers signed the quarterback.
The situation ultimately changed when Tampa Bay brought Mayfield aboard. What was supposed to be a new chapter in the story of a quarterback’s search for stability was ultimately a turning point. Mayfield went on to become the starting quarterback for the Bucs and rebuilt his career after a period of uncertainty.
Mayfield came to the NFL as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft, and quickly became the starting quarterback for Cleveland. But his time with the Browns ended and so did his move to Carolina. His Panthers stint lasted for only part of the 2022 season before going to the Rams.
The move to Tampa Bay was another chance for Mayfield to show himself. The Buccaneers went on to reach the playoffs and won a playoff game together with the team in 2023. His performances later elevated him to a more permanent position with Tampa Bay.
Monken’s connection with Mayfield goes back to their time with Cleveland. They worked together during the quarterback’s 2019 season, when Mayfield threw for 3,827 yards, 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. Monken was familiar with Mayfield’s approach to preparation and his competitive nature.
Mayfield was especially interested in getting game plans early so he could study them before the game, Monken said. The Ravens offensive coordinator described him as a smart and competitive player who expected high standards from himself and those around him.
The possibility of Mayfield becoming Jackson’s backup also presents an interesting alternative scenario for Baltimore. Jackson has been the focal point of the Ravens’ offense for years, and having Mayfield as his backup would have been a great option for Baltimore, as he is a veteran quarterback with substantial starting experience.
Instead, Mayfield’s path took him to Tampa Bay where he became the starting quarterback. He got a huge contract extension with the Buccaneers, providing him with long-term stability with the franchise.
The upcoming game between Tampa Bay and Cleveland adds another layer to Mayfield’s career story. The quarterback will face his former team and return to the city where his NFL career started. Mayfield has said the match-up is even more motivation but he has also stressed all the preparation work and details that will be required to win.
For Monken, this is a reminder of how quickly things can change in the NFL. A decision that appeared to be in Mayfield’s wheelhouse in Baltimore instead resulted in Tampa Bay becoming the next big chapter of his career.
Had the Buccaneers not signed him, Mayfield could have spent the next few years in Baltimore working behind Jackson. Instead, Tampa Bay gave him the chance to rebuild his career as a starter and then secure a long-term contract.
The revelation also shows how quarterback careers are impacted by timing and opportunity. Mayfield moved from a player looking to get his next chance to a starter again. His journey from Cleveland to Carolina, Los Angeles and Tampa Bay ultimately produced a very different outcome from the one Monken and the Ravens had once hoped for.
As Mayfield enters his ninth season in Tampa Bay, the story of his near-move to Baltimore is an interesting “what if” in his NFL career. For Monken, it was a move the Ravens believed was close to becoming reality, but Tampa Bay’s decision ultimately changed Mayfield’s career.
