Much of the speculation surrounding this draft class pertains to its quarterbacks. The team to watch at that position has long been expected to be the Panthers, who hold the No. 6 pick and have been linked to the few remaining veteran options still available. 
If they do end up making a move for Baker Mayfield, though, it likely won’t be until after the draft is complete. As noted by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter), Carolina will let Day 1 on Thursday “play out first, before any other options are considered”. One of those options is acquiring Mayfield, a possibility which has grown in likelihood in recent days.
However, as Rapoport’s colleague James Palmer recently reported, things have “remained status quo” on the Mayfield trade front (Twitter link). The Panthers, like all other potentially interested teams, have yet to make an offer, per Palmer. That falls in line with other recent reports indicating the ex-Browns starter will have a much greater market next year as a free agent than he does now coming off of shoulder surgery.
With regards to Jimmy Garoppolo, the other veteran signal-caller widely expected to be on the move, Carolina will likewise wait until after this weekend to make any potential move. Cameron Wolfe reported (on Twitter) that the acquisition cost of both Garoppolo and Mayfield would have to “drop significantly” for a trade to become feasible. With that in mind, it comes as no surprise that Carolina drafting a quarterback remains a “real possibility” at this point.
By the end of Thursday night, the Panthers’ quarterback situation may be much clearer. If the team looks elsewhere with their top pick, or trades down, however, they will remain closely linked to the top upgrades at the position into the next phase of the offseason.
I understand Carolina not wanting to give up much for 2 quarterbacks coming off injuries who are in their walk year. That being said, I don’t think any quarterback in this draft will ever get them to the playoffs. Whether you like Mayfield or not, he’s been a part of the turnaround from the 0-16 team that he inherited
He’s a mediocre QB, he’s not the long-term answer tho. He’s not better than a .500-type of player
Surround him with a good roster and he can get you to the playoffs. Last year was the exception with his injury and the rest of the team injuries and covid issues
Oh I think Mayfield is better than that
I had a feeling they were leaning towards a LT going forward in this draft and then they were going to look into a Mayfield trade. Rhule is not going to put his future into a rookie QB unless he knows that rookie is the nuts. If the owner does get his way though that will make this draft interesting.
I have Charles Cross as the guy for Carolina.
I agree but is Ruhle the decision maker?
Last time I checked he does put guys on the field still.
Tepper may in fact decide who’s the QB
But if Tepper doesn’t acquire Mayfield, Ruble won’t be able to put him on the field. Unless you’re Belinchek, head coaches don’t have the final say. They have input
Any team trading with Carolina was probably going to have to settle for 2023 picks anyway.
If the Browns want to dump Baker they probably need to attach a pick. Maybe a 3rd and take back a 5th or 6th.
Do you think he is an upgrade over Darnold? Personally I do, but I see your point in that they removed any and all leverage that they had by trading for Watson and then signing Brissett and immediately anointing him the backup. The entire league is aware that the Browns are not going to keep an 18 million dollar third string QB on their active roster.
The Browns aren’t attaching a pick. You can forget about that. They may pay some salary if they get a higher pick but the Browns have enough cap space to carry Mayfield. They just gave Houston 5 picks.
They may attach a pick, but it will be for a higher return (example: attaching a 5th to get a 4th) not the other way around. They are better off biting the bullet on his salary this season than doing that.
Doubt this happens….there are still at least 3 teams actively interested in him and another 7 that have QBs that he is an improvement over not to mention the teams that have an aging QB and nothing to replace.
There’s a market for him….teams are just calling Cleveland’s bluff since they bungled this entire ordeal so terribly.
Once the draft is over, he will get moved.
Cleveland really didn’t bungle anything. They wanted to upgrade at QB. They waited until Watson was not going to be criminally charged. They acquired Watson but Houston wanted draft picks. They’ve always wanted draft picks. Now the Browns had 2 starting quarterbacks and most teams have already acquired their guy. Same reason SF has trouble getting rid of Jimmy G. At least SF can start Jimmy G next year. The Browns didn’t want to get rid of Mayfield and not have a replacement. Tell me what they could have done differently
Don’t pick up Bakers 5th year option if you weren’t sold on him. Don’t lie to him and tell him he’s the man in 2022 after what’s he done for the team last 4 years. Don’t sign a crappy backup that will be your starter while the sexual predator is suspended until you move Baker. Give the impression maybe you hold on to him if a decent deal doesn’t surface.
That’s for starters….
Baker wasn’t coming back to Cleveland to be Watson’s backup. The Browns said they informed his agent that they would explore options at QB. They picked up his option before last season. They either had to pick it up or not before the season started and Mayfield was coming off his best year. What else you got? In a perfect world, Baker wouldn’t have gotten his feelings hurt. I like Baker. Always did and I hope he does great wherever he goes. Bottom line is the Browns upgraded the quarterback position
A Panther strategy plan lasts about as long as their winning streaks. Tepper and Khan are proof that you don’t need to have any football knowledge to be an owner.
Khan is the fastest owner to lose 100 games. Says it all.
It’s not a good look when the owner himself comes forward and states the organization needs more “brain power”…lol.
Carolinas blowing smoke on Baker, unless they could get Cleveland to pickup a large part of his salary.
They are stuck paying Darnald $19 million, they can’t dump that salary and compete
Taking a QB at #6 is desperation.
But that’s the position there in right now
My guess? Trade down to 10-15 and pick up a QB Ruhle can try to win with
Perhaps they can pickup a second or third, currently the can take Friday off
Carolina can’t win with a rookie quarterback. Their roster is too weak. The only teams that win with a rookie is generally teams that are already equipped with a lot.