With the Browns and Panthers haggling over how Baker Mayfield‘s 2022 salary will be paid, Cleveland taking back one of Carolina’s quarterbacks in a deal would not seem in step with these negotiations. But Deshaun Watson‘s status may point to the Browns looking around at emergency QB options, considering Mayfield is out of the picture for such a role.
Sam Darnold is not expected to be on such a list, and as of now, the Browns are not preparing to chase a QB upgrade as part of a Watson contingency plan. A Mayfield-for-Darnold swap is not believed to be on the Browns’ radar, according to cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, who adds the AFC North team is confident in offseason addition Jacoby Brissett.
Carolina and Cleveland have picked up talks on Mayfield recently, with the NFC South squad displaying some urgency here. If Mayfield finally does end up being traded, the acquiring team would be wise to do it soon for the purposes of the relocating quarterback immersing himself in his new team’s playbook ahead of training camp.
Matt Rhule said a trade weeks in advance of camp is not essential to a QB learning Ben McAdoo‘s playbook, but the more time Mayfield would have with Carolina’s system, the better off he would be. Illustrating money’s impact in these talks, the Panthers would have hoped to acquire Mayfield before or during minicamp for acclimation purposes, Joe Person of The Athletic notes (subscription required).
Like Mayfield, Darnold is tied to a fifth-year option salary of $18.9MM. As 2018 draftees, Mayfield and Darnold are part of the first class to have their fifth-year options fully guaranteed. While trade-value purposes should be considered here, Rhule is believed to be warming to another Darnold season. Given the efforts the Panthers have made to acquire a better QB over the past two years, that would be quite the development. Mayfield would seemingly be a better option, his inconsistency notwithstanding, but his former draft classmate has been prepping in McAdoo’s system for five months.
The Browns were linked to Darnold ahead of the 2018 draft; Mayfield emerged late in the process. The two passers’ work to date suggests then-GM John Dorsey made the right decision, but Darnold — who is two years younger, at 25 — has been stationed behind below-average offensive lines throughout his career. Mayfield enjoyed a top-tier line during the second half of his Cleveland run. Darnold has not shown what Mayfield has during the latter’s highpoints, but with a new-look Panther O-line and a quality set of skill-position players, this might be the USC product’s best chance of putting together a decent season.
Signed to a one-year, $4.65MM deal this offseason, Brissett replaced Case Keenum as the Browns’ backup. The frequent fill-in starter stands to be a pivotal figure in the Browns’ season. With a lengthy Watson suspension expected, the former Patriots, Colts and Dolphins QB will be on track to make several starts for a Browns team that has seen its preferred starter encounter additional turmoil since the divisive blockbuster trade occurred.
It should be Mayfield for Robby Anderson straight up.
Bring in a QB, weaken his supporting cast. Yeah that’s the winning move.
Anderson is washed, that hardly weakens the WR corps. Worse case scenario Marshall Jr. doesn’t preform and we bring in Julio Jones.
Julio is probably good for 8-10 snaps this season.
lmaooo wait Anderson is washed, but Julio Jones isn’t?
Anderson is prime.. he and Moore just need a QB
I was pretty confused by that statement. Younger guy is washed but bring in the perpetually injured veteran. Some people show their lack of football knowledge pretty quick.
Water being wet right here
Water isn’t wet. It’s a liquid that leaves you feeling wet
The Browns are thinking they are going to win 4 games this year due to Watson’s suspension – which gives them great 2023 draft picks with which to “actually” start the Watson era (or his 1st overall replacement?). Why would they mess that up by putting someone at QB who could mess up that plan?
Lol…his replacement? What you gonna do with the 230 million dollar paperweight that’s fully guaranteed?
Write it off. It’s funny money to NFL teams. Even the so-called salary cap hit means nothing as long as TV revenues keep escalating. Just ask the Rams… I also suspect the Browns will look to the league to reduce their Watson trade compensation package if the NFL keeps him from playing.
The Browns have an out but they aren’t taking it which proves that they knew about these latest accusations, which at this point is only accusations. I think the NFL and the Browns have the same information as the Grand Juries had. Watson will get an 8 game suspension, settle out of court, and move on.
They don’t have their own first rounder…so that wouldn’t make sense. It would essentially help the Texans.
Makes little sense.
It makes little sense because the Browns traded their 1st in 22 23 and 24. So unless the deal gets nullified it does not matter how much of a crap show they are in 22 they do not have a 1st in 23.
Looking at Watson’s career stats, he celebrates every win with a sexual assault. 28 wins vs 26 assaults. Nice signing a of a predator Browns.
You have uncovered his victory dance.
BRAVO, well done.
What a mess…..The Browns front office has possibly doomed this team for the next decade, how stupid.
Confident in Brissett? God D+*^ it man why do I have to be a fan of this inept franchise? You had a winner pushed him away for a sexual assault headcase and now say you’re confident in a terrific bow backup..
Terrible backup*
No QB in their right mind wants to go to Cleveland knowing they gave up so much for Merv the Perv to be the face of their franchise they don’t stand a chance of playing past the suspension.
Brissett is better than Darnold if only for the fact that he doesn’t turn the ball over. Brissett is a lot like Tyrod Taylor. Nothing fancy but not a turnover machine
I liked Baker but if you think the Browns could win the Super Bowl with him, you’re wrong. Sore shoulder or not, teams forced Mayfield to stay in the pocket and he’s just not good throwing out of the pocket. Watson’s suspension may make winning this year unobtainable, but he’s a tremendous quarterback and will always give the Browns a chance for a deep playoff run with the talent they have around him
I am not implying the brown can or can’t win a super bowl with baker, but I bet they don’t with Watson and certainly won’t with Jacoby, seems like a lot of handcuffed money for the same results plus the drama.
Being that we’re both browns fans here let’s just see how many years removed after all of this he does, but man honestly my morality with two daughters just can’t get behind this guy.
I get what you’re saying but I tend to believe the Grand Juries that didn’t indict. Those are impartial people. I think neither side is being 100% honest. I also believe that the Browns have seen the evidence and their investigators have spoken to the women. I don’t think these NFL teams would have given up what they did without investigating it thoroughly. You gotta remember that most of what you’re hearing is coming from their attorney.
Watson is a very good quarterback. I know Baker was hurt last year and that played a part but I just never had confidence that he would score when they needed to. In fact it was the opposite.
You’re going to be a huge fan of the sexual assault head case once he finally brings you a winning culture for the first time in your life. Mayfield took the team as far as he can. Watson is on a totally different level. You’ll make the playoffs every season for the next several years he’s starting. You’ll probably buy his jersey, and look back and laugh at the fact you didn’t want him.
Dude has won one playoff game in his career and was the king of garbage time on a junk team.
This weird notion that he’s this amalgam of Brady and Jordan all mixed into one super winner is…again, weird.
He couldn’t win Houston, why is it just assumed as a given that he’ll win in Cleveland?
agreed again.
the Texans were terrible even with him
hasn’t played in (2 years)
Browns are arguably a dumber org than the Texans , so I don’t understand this perennial sb contenders nonsense the talking heads on ESPN speak of …
I’m sure they’ll find a way to mess it up
They weren’t terrible because of him. They made the playoffs twice. His last year playing, Texans defense gave up over 500 points. More than 30 a game. Watson had a 112 QBR and led the league in passing even without Hopkins. You may not like Watson and that’s ok. He doesn’t care but to say he’s not a very good quarterback shows your ignorance
no one said he’s a bad qb
just said he’s not a lock to win superbowls
browns aren’t necessarily a good org
No you didn’t say he wasn’t a lock to win the Super Bowls. You said the Texans were terrible even with him and you said he hasn’t played in 2 years. That insinuates that he’s average or less. Watson is a very talented quarterback and with Cleveland’s talented roster he can win a Super Bowl. Will he? Who knows but every year he plays gives the Browns a much better chance than they had with Mayfield
sorry for stating facts about the situation
I guess we’ll find out. You could say that about any quarterback not named Brady or Mahomes. I guess you’ve seen everyone of Watson’s games and saw when he moved the team? You really should just stop. You’re looking foolish. Just admit that Watson is a very good quarterback but you don’t like him. I can live with that. The guy has a career 104 QBR. CAREER.
I don’t wear jerseys with a name on it, but no, I’ll never be a big Watson fan.
My only grip having been a fan as a kid in the 80’s is just how much more embarrassing can they get?
Eagles need to swoop in
They won’t and I will get booed for this , but Baker Mayfield needs to be freed
Oh yeah they’ll just waiting to swoop in and grab their 3rd string QB who won’t even be active on game day.
freed? he’s not any good He’s not any better than Darnold
Check the stats. That’s still how you define a good quarterback. Darnold is horrible
You may want to look at their careers. He’s better.
I still can’t believe the Browns threw away their present and future with one move…wait, actually I can believe it. Back to the toilet they go for the next decade
Future? You mean this year? Watson isn’t going to be suspended forever
although that is indeed possible lol
Check the stats. That’s still how you define a good quarterback. Darnold is horrible
The Browns and Panthers seem determined to prove that the worst run organization in the NFL isn’t located in Jacksonville.
Darnold to Cleveland? That’s hilarious, and would complete the Masters of Ineptitude Certification Process for the Browns.
On what basis do people think the trade get nullified? There would have had to be very specific behind the scenes language with conditions and compensation to nullify after some of the compensation (2022 draft pick) has been utilized.
This will go down in History as a bigger blunder by Cleveland, than the Vikings acquiring Herschel Walker in terms of net effect for a team.
There is very specific language and it’s not behind the scenes. It’s readily out there. Maybe Watson informed the Browns that there were more but the language is that if there are more accusations and information that comes out the Browns have protection. Honestly I think the Browns and the league are aware of the extra accusations. The NFL is done interviewing Watson they said. I think the NFL has the same information as the Grand Juries did.
Is that in the contract he signed or in the trade agreement?
Actually you are partially right. There is language in his contract that protects the Browns but only if there are any more incidents that occur AFTER the signing of this contract. All incidents that occurred prior were deemed as forgiven by the Browns.
Secondly, the reason why the grand juries refused to proceed with charges was it came down to a He Said/She Said argument, and most DA’s are reluctant to press forward on a case they don’t feel they have a great chance to win.
That being said, unless Watson is an idiot and goes out and does something like this in the future, his $230 million is fully guaranteed. Even being suspended without pay for the full year will only cost him $1mm as the rest was a signing bonus which can’t be touched. As someone who’s family had season tickets for over 60 years, this is a real black eye for Browns fans.
Until he wins. I don’t need professional sports teams for my morality. The Browns have a lot of great guys on the team that you can root for
imagine spending close to 40 mil on these two guys lmao