Baker Mayfield Could Take Less Money to Join Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers, in all likelihood, are going to have another quarterback search next offseason.

The 2027 NFL Draft is the Steelers' best option to find a true long-term solution, but Baker Mayfield could become one of the few coveted free agents at the position in recent years after extension talks with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven't led to an agreement.

If Mayfield does in fact hit the open market instead of inking a new deal with Tampa Bay, being franchise-tagged or even tag-and-traded, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio stated during an appearance on "Pardon My Take" that he believes the former No. 1 overall pick may consider taking a discount in order to head to Pittsburgh.

"I could see him taking less money to go to Pittsburgh," Florio said.

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— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) August 10, 2026

Would It Be Smart for Steelers to Pursue Mayfield?

After years and years of mediocrity at quarterback, the Steelers surely understand that trudging along with their plan of cycling through stop-gaps at the position isn't going to get them anywhere in the long run.

The likes of Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields haven't done anything to inspire confidence or really uplift the team as a whole in their respective tenures with the organization over the past few seasons, though it's been just enough to notch back-to-back playoff appearances and 10-win campaigns.

Rodgers is back for the 2026 season, but he's made it clear that the door isn't open for a return next year.

Unless Will Howard or Drew Allar take a huge leap forward and somehow show Pittsburgh that they're ready to be passed the torch, which doesn't feel particularly likely, Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy are going to have to go back to the drawing board next offseason.

As stated before, the 2027 NFL Draft has a strong group of quarterback prospects and should be the Steelers' focus when it comes to putting an end to their annual quest for a franchise signal caller.

Jan 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

If Mayfield comes available, however, it would only be right for the team to at least put some feelers out and consider the possibility of bringing him in.

He is a notch or two above Pittsburgh's other recent veteran additions at the position and would boost its chances of becoming more of a force in the AFC. Furthermore, with McCarthy feeling like somewhat of a bridge head coach to get the most out of the team's current core, Mayfield would fit into the Steelers' M.O. in that regard before they potentially readjust and retool a few years down the line.

Unless Mayfield would actually consider taking less money than he'd otherwise be expected to garner, though, perhaps around the $50-million-per-year mark or so, Pittsburgh might be wise to stay away.

The team could free up the necessary cap space to land him despite only having a projected $3.939 million available for 2027 as of right now, per Over the Cap, but it really does feel like the Steelers should just turn the page and put their full attention towards the 2027 draft class.

Mayfield wouldn't be a disastrous addition for Pittsburgh by any means, though it would continue to show a complete disinterest in getting younger and opening a new chapter, which isn't a smart way of viewing things.

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