Already attempting to replace one member of the 2018 quarterback class, the Panthers would make sense as a suitor for another. They have been linked to a few quarterbacks as Sam Darnold upgrades, but Baker Mayfield may not appeal to the QB-needy franchise.
Carolina is not believed to be interested in trading for Mayfield, David Newton of ESPN.com tweets. Mayfield’s camp did engage in discussions with the Panthers recently, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, but it does not sound like anything is brewing (subscription required).
For what it’s worth, Mayfield is also uninterested in being traded to the Panthers, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com notes. But with the Colts trading for Matt Ryan and other teams having previously checked off their QB needs, options for the Browns on Mayfield are dwindling.
Like Darnold, Mayfield is attached to a fully guaranteed fifth-year option salary. Both QBs check in at $18.9MM for 2022. Mayfield sought a trade to the Colts, but they were not as interested. The Seahawks have loomed as an interested party, but if the Panthers are not pursuing him as well, the Browns’ trade compensation will be limited. The Panthers sent second-, fourth- and sixth-round picks to the Jets for Darnold last year. Despite Mayfield having enjoyed a better start to his career than his 2018 classmate, the former No. 1 overall draft choice is unlikely to fetch that kind of return for the Browns.
The Broncos, Steelers, Commanders, Colts, Saints and Falcons have joined the Browns in making moves to acquire a long-term starter or a bridge QB this offseason. The Buccaneers saw their legendary passer quickly unretire. All this limits the market for Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo. The Seahawks make less sense for Garoppolo. Intra-divisional QB trades have happened, in the cases of Drew Bledsoe and Donovan McNabb earlier this century, but are very rare. The Panthers would be a better fit for Garoppolo, but if they do not view he or Mayfield as sufficient upgrades, this is a clear team to monitor in the draft.
Matt Rhule, GM Scott Fitterer and new OC Ben McAdoo went to Kenny Pickett‘s pro day Monday and were at Malik Willis‘ Tuesday, Newton notes. The Panthers have been linked to both players. Mike Tomlin, Steelers OC Matt Canada and front office personnel trekked to Willis’ pro day, Joe Person of The Athletic tweets. Atlanta and Washington had front office staffers there as well. Holding the No. 6 overall pick — behind the Jaguars, Lions, Texans, Jets and Giants — the Panthers are in good position to be able to select this draft’s top QB there. Formerly a higher-profile prospect than either Willis or Pickett, Mayfield remains in limbo after the Browns replaced him with Deshaun Watson.
I’d bet this has far more to do with teams unwillingness to meet the Browns trade demands than not actually being interested in Baker. Release him and just watch QB needy teams line up for him.
Exactly. $18m for 1 season is chump change for a starting QB. What’s the going rate now, $30-50M a season?
30-50 is mainly for good QBs and Baker ain’t good
Never said he was good. I said there’s a big difference between $18m vs $30-50m.
Plenty of average QB’s have won division titles and appeared/won SB’s w/ a great supporting cast.
Grap, Goff, Ryan, Cam, Flaco vs CK, et al.
There really isn’t much QB needy teams most starting positions have been filled
I highly doubt the Browns are holding out for too much right now. Can’t have much leverage when you 100% won’t roster someone next year.
His empty stadium commercials now have some irony.
No one wants you bud. Huge ego and poor on field production. Johnny manziel 2.0
More like no one wants to trade assets for a one-year, high price rental. If the Browns were to release him, he’d have a ton of offers. Not sure what that does to their cap situation..
If he is traded the new team inherits his $18M fully guaranteed option year. So CLE clears $18M.
That’s why supposedly one team said they’d only take him if CLE gave THEM a pick…
What will probably happen is CLE will need to retain 50-75% of that $18M to get anything of value. I believe they could do that via a restructure. Unless that isn’t allowed on 5th year options.
If they can, at a certain point you think someone would be interested.
I mean it’s certain someone would take him, browns are looking for a darnold trade package and there is zero chance of that this far into the quarterback carousel of spring 2022
I wouldn’t go that far as to compare him to Johnny football. He’s basically Joe flaco 2.0
Tebow, Manziel, Mayfield, three of a kind. Same profile types and Overrated!
No it’s that teams aren’t going to trade a 2nd round pick. Let alone a 1st round pick.for.him, which is what Cleveland was requesting. They will just wait for Cleveland to inevitably cut him.
Seahawks will take Mayfield and a fourth. Browns get ice cold lemon lime Shasta six-pack. Sprite if they play hardball.
Cans or bottles?
Rewrite the headline…”No one interested in Mayfield?”
No……
Find a team that’s going play the Browns twice in 2022.
If he just starts those 2 games he’s worth the cost.
So the Steelers? The only other two answers to that question have former and future MVPs at QB.
Mayfield would definitely be an upgrade on Darnold, but if you’re gonna roster both those guys, you have to also get Rosen for the hat trick of 2018 first round QBs.
The baker was served humble pie, how ironic.
I am surprised that the Lions aren’t in this conversation. Goff is not the guy. He would be fine holding the clipboard this year and won’t be offered a contract in Detroit next year.
They can buy low on Mayfield and give him a shot.
Agreed. Same with Texans. I think both teams are happy to tank and wait for a better QB class. Would be funny if the 49ers and Browns get stuck with their old QBs. Might have to wait for an injury or until after the draft to trade them.
So glad to see a “star” over play his hand. Demanded to go to the Colts when he could have been included in the Watson trade to Houston. Thankfully and laughably the Colts said, “hell no!”
Arena football is calling …….
He will be a starter in the NFL this season. Teams just realize the Browns will inevitably have to buy him. So why give up draft capital when you don’t have to?
I think the reason he was not included in the Houston trade was that Houston did not want him. They’re rebuilding and don’t have any use for a mediocre QB on the last year of his deal.
Browns can hope somebody’s starting QB suffers a multi-month+ injury anytime between now and the start of the season. (See Sam Bradford to Vikings)