When the Browns and Panthers held trade talks regarding Baker Mayfield during the draft, the AFC North team was not believed to be willing to pay much of its former starting quarterback’s salary to move him. Cleveland may be coming around.
The teams picked up talks recently, and the Browns are now prepared to pay more of Mayfield’s fully guaranteed $18.9MM salary to facilitate a deal. The team has moved to the $9-$10MM range, Albert Breer of SI.com said during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show (video link). This still does not meet the Panthers’ asking price, Breer adds. It is unclear where the sides are on draft compensation, but rumblings continue to emerge about Mayfield finally changing teams.
[RELATED: Browns Not Targeting Mayfield-For-Sam Darnold Swap]
During the teams’ draft talks, the Browns were not far beyond the $3MM mark here. Carolina was believed to want Cleveland to pick up at least $13MM of Mayfield’s salary to sign off on a deal, creating an impasse that led to Mayfield-to-Charlotte buzz cooling. By not reaching the Panthers’ price point, the Browns are betting on the Panthers — they of a quarterback room headlined by Darnold and Matt Corral — meeting their terms to ensure a better QB1 option arrives weeks ahead of training camp. Urgency has surfaced on Carolina’s side, though Matt Rhule said that was not the case. The game of chicken persists.
The Panthers (and Seahawks) can continue to force the Browns to carry Mayfield’s salary on their books, but Cleveland — thanks in part to structuring Deshaun Watson‘s contract in a way to minimize the financial penalty the embattled QB would endure if/when suspended — has a gargantuan cap-space lead on the rest of the NFL. As of Monday afternoon, the Browns hold more than $42MM in cap space. No other team possesses $26MM.
If the Browns cut Mayfield, they could end up owing more than $17MM — thanks to offset language in his rookie deal. Although some executives expect the Browns to finally cut bait, they have maintained throughout the offseason that will not happen. By going through minicamp with their oft-scrutinized QB setups, the Panthers and Seahawks gained extended looks at their in-house options. But Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo, whose March shoulder surgery clouds his trade market until at least July, remain available. As long as that is the case, Carolina and Seattle’s QB situations will continue to generate attention.
Who wants to win the Baker Mayfield stakes
Mayfield and the Browns should have won, they didn’t, in that epic divisional playoff game almost two years ago
Now, if Mayfield was good enough then, why isn’t he good enough now?
I know, I am at a loss and quite frankly, I don’t understand why the Browns” powers that be don’t like the guy… SMH
They went 1-1 in the playoffs in 2020 and they lost against 14-2 Kansas City, the best team in the game of football. Even in that game he didn’t play terribly.
He was playing on an injured shoulder for most of 2021.
A lot of people are high on Lamar Jackson. He’s not played well in the playoffs. He’s in the final year of his rookie contract. He’s due a huge payday and I think the Ravens would be crazy to pay him and think he’s their franchise QB.
Baker is the best QB that they’ve had in a long time. Either they just don’t believe in him (don’t know why) or they know some things about him the rest of us don’t.
High tier free agent WR’s flat out refuse to come to Baltimore and arguably the best one they’ve drafted in the history of the franchise left because he doesn’t want to play here. In Cleveland the only one I heard mentioning something like that was Odell Beckham and with him, I consider the source. He’s always been an oddball.
I wish I knew what the Browns were trying to do
They shot themselves in the foot with this one
Browns just being the Browns. The curse of Art Modell
Seattle is not signing Baker. They might sign Jimmy G but they are betting on having a bad season and getting a high pick. Not wishing injuries but hopefully the pony’s have a bad year too. Two picks in top 16 would be great.
I hope some womens group protests at every game the Browns have too. Even though he is not playing let the Browns know playing him is wrong.
You mad bro?
What gets me is how long it takes them to realizes deal isn’t a deal and reshuffle.
After a month of no traction what were they waiting for? Half the QBs in the league to run into some kind of PR treadmill accident? The Browns aren’t going to want to wait until the trade deadline.
After the Osweiler mess they should know what to expect.
Maxj – you do know that the “Osweiler mess” netted them Nick Chubb, right?
No, I did not know that. Noted.
If I were the Panthers I would just wait. There’s no sense in rushing into a deal now. Wait until Cleveland pretty much pays you to take him or until they release him.
I think Sam deserves one last look with a healthy McCaffrey at RB and Ekwonu on his offensive line.
I agree. Why not just see what Darnold can do. You owe him all that money anyway. If it doesn’t work out, you have a high selection in the draft to rebuild with.
The idea that the Browns are apparently thinking that they are in negotiations to trade Baker is hilarious. These aren’t “negotiations”. The Panthers are saying “here’s our offer, call me when you’re ready”. And the Browns are sitting by the phone both feeling and looking foolish.
Baker must really suck as a person if the turds prefer a serial rapist they had to overpay for who isn’t even that good and won’t be able to play next year.
I don’t care for Baker and his premature commercials … he hasn’t proven himself good yet but he also hasn’t proven himself as bad.
Allen, Mahomes , Burrow , Herbert , Rogers, Jackson , Wilson , Brady … are at the top of the class .. ( may have missed a couple ) Baker falls into the next catagory IMO … right there with Cousins, Ryan, Tua , Carr, Tanehill etc ….
Stafford / Murray may be in between there some where …
But he’s definitely one of the top 32 QBs. Should be playing and starting … somewhere.
Hasn’t proven himself good?
Have you just not watched football? He’s had a great rookie season, hit a sophmore slump as the league adjusted to him but he still cranked out 3800 22TD 21INT.
His following season he did what you want to see every third year QB do. He progressed, he took a joke of a franchise to an 11-4 record, threw for 3500 yards 26TD and only 8 INT. Took them to the playoffs, won their first playoff game in I don’t know how long, and then lost to the best team in football.
He comes back and plays on an injured shoulder for most of the year.
The Browns just can’t help themselves. They had the winning combination, and they just can’t let it alone. This whole Watson deal is going to blow up in their faces and in 2 years they’ll be back to wondering why they stink.
A great rookie season? I am not sure I would go that far. He is an upper mid level QB. He will get a good contract after this year if he plays well for whoever. Just keep him out of Seattle.
Then you don’t understand football.
He started 13 games, not a full 16 and these were his numbers:
COMP: 64% YDS: 3725 TD: 27 INT: 14
He ranked 17th in passing yards and 11th in TDs despite not playing a full 16 games… as a rookie QB…..for the terrible Cleveland Browns.
Chubb didn’t run for 1000 yards that year and his leading receiver was Jarvis Landry who also didn’t top 1000 yards.
Upper mid level…meaning he’s one of the best QBs’ in the game of football then. If you are above mid level, you’re not mid level.
@ Roastgobot. so many things wrong with this comment.
“serial rapist” i was not aware he raped anyone, what i understand with very limited details, mostly inappropriate touching/exposure and/or inappropriate comments.
“isnt even that good” He was a top 5 QB in the league when he last played, with a horrible Texan team and no weapons.
Dont get me wrong, i am not a Watson fan, but i am realistic.
He has a career 104 QBR. Career. That’s darn good. Just lots of haters. I admit that I want a short suspension because I’m a Browns fan but even before they acquired him, I thought these comments were exaggerated
Watson is a moron for at the very most innocent soliciting dozens of masseuse for sex, the most sinister serial rape. Wouldn’t want a guy like that anywhere near my franchise, combined with the fact that he isn’t going to be able to play next year, had a middling sophomore campaign, and will have not played for at least two years once he hits the field again, someone in that organization really must have hated baaaaaaaker
Sophomore season? His final year of playing he had a 112 QBR. 4863 yards. 71% completion. 33 TD’S. 8 interceptions. 443 yards rushing. But sure, he’s not really that good. And this was without Hopkins and Fuller missed half the year. Plus no running game.
Carolina needs Mayfield more than the Browns do. Carolina also needs to get Mayfield asap so he can start learning their offense. Pony up Panthers and get this deal done!
Why? It s for one year..they are not going to win division or even probably make playoffs.
Same with Seattle. One year is not worth it.
Of course they need Mayfield more than the Browns do. The Browns are desperate to unload Mayfield. Odd comment considering that Baker will eventually get released and the Panthers can pick him up for cheap.
Not if he doesn’t want to go to the Panthers. He gets to choose.
The Browns don’t WANT Mayfield. The Panthers don’t NEED him either. They have Darnold on an expensive contract and a draft pick in house. They can sit on what they got, draft high next year.
The Panthers are in the driver’s seat. They should make the Browns PAY them to take Mayfield off their hands.
The Browns can park him all season and get a supplemental draft pick next year when he is a free agent. Why waive him and get absolutely nothing and still paying him 17.2 million.
Because it will be a PR and clubhouse nightmare, especially if whenever Watson does play, he stinks.
The Browns will be paying all of Deshaun Watson to have him sit and be suspended and then half of Baker in order to facilitate a trade and then they’ll roll a nobody out there and lose 15 games. That’s a lot of QB money to have no QB.
You’re right. And funny, this made me laugh.
Actually, they’re only paying Watson 1 mill for this year in anticipation of a suspension.
Plus whatever incentive bonuses he reaches for keeping arrests and lawsuits under an agreed upon limit.
Watson is only getting a million this year
Only a million.. And he won’t play for that million.. Got to love the NFL.
He may play some. The NFLPA will definitely appeal any suspension. Plus it’s worth a million to have him in camp learning the new offense and getting to know the players. Btw, his teammates love him
BB you are starting to grow on me. You are absolutely wrong the guy is a scumbag but you have stayed the course. Good for you but I hope down inside you know he is a perv but you have been losing so long you don’t care you just want to win. I have not rooted for certain players on the teams I follow because of their actions on or off the field. I am guessing I am much older maybe not wiser but stand by my convictions. You keep backing him if you feel it is right. Live by your convictions because one day Jackson will be convicted. I hope they throw the book at him if it happens.
Oops put Jackson not Watson. Sorry Lamar.
Will he be accused again? Maybe. People see people like him and Weinberg and Trump and think it’s an easy payday. I’ve said all along that Watson is a perv. I just don’t think that what he’s done constitutes rape or even physical assault. I think he exposed himself and propositioned these women. Apparently some took him up on it. He said it was consensual. They did see him again. Most women don’t start dating their rapist. I keep going back to the fact that out of 24 women, 2 different Grand Juries couldn’t even recommend charges. Not 1 out of 24. I’m not defending Watson as much as I don’t know that he committed a crime. Perverted? Yes.
Chances are the Browns need a QB because Watson is going to be suspended. Could be for the year, and if so, why not just let him play and build his worth as opposed to moving him for little and pay half the salary? Browns are already admitting defeat this year and preparing for the day Watson can play.
Because Baker holds all of the leverage at this point. His salary is fully guaranteed at $18+million, Browns need him to play. They screwed up by first picking up Mayfields 5th year option, telling Him they had no interest in trading for Watson, they giving Watson that $230 million fully guaranteed deal. They should have traded Mayfield before doing all of those things. What incentive does Mayfield have to go out there and perform? He can sit back rehab his shoulder while getting paid, and enter FA fully healthy with teams knowing his worth.
That’s also why they picked up Brissett. They know that Watson will probably be suspended for at least the beginning of the season and that Mayfield will not play. They basically gave up capital to have the situation with Mayfield that the Texans had with Watson last year.
You can’t trade a quarterback before you get his replacement. Mayfield actually screwed himself by refusing to play after the Browns didn’t get Watson initially. That proves immaturity. By doing that, the Browns had no option but to offer Watson more. If Baker would have handled his business better then I think he could have been traded. He is just as responsible for putting himself in this situation of no trade value
Yet somehow Watson refused to play for Houston before the many accusations came out, sat the whole year out, and still maintained the leverage to get a ridiculous contract extension from the Browns.
Mayfield was pissed when the Browns made their hunt for a QB public despite having him signed, and then doubled down on looking for an “adult at QB”.
Facts aren’t your strong point. Of course Mayfield was signed, you can’t trade anyone that isn’t. They picked up his option in the spring of 2021. He was coming off a good year and a playoff win. He had a horrible year last year, some of it because of injuries but he made poor decisions. The Browns supposedly told him and his agent that they would explore options. Watson is definitely an upgrade. The Browns didn’t make it public. The media made it public. You should know that. You’re reading Pro Football Rumors. As for the “Adult” comment, the Browns deny this. I’m a Baker fan and I wish him well but he does have maturity problems. He always has a social media feud going on with someone
Thanks for telling me my statements were wrong and then backing them up. The Browns did exactly what I said, they’re credibility is shot anyway.
Again your reading comprehension needs work. The Browns did exactly what teams do when they want to upgrade a position. Baker was the baby in the room. He had a bad year and maybe the Browns felt like that was not having enough talent and not just being injured. I think everyone would agree that Watson is the better quarterback. The Bengals upgraded their offensive line and 2 guys that started last year are now backups. They are not complaining and sitting out. Baker could have been traded already if not for his immaturity. That’s on Mayfield for being pissed. As for the ridiculous contract, guys that have put up Watson’s stats get paid that amount of money. Guaranteed money doesn’t bother me because he should play at least the last 4. Quarterbacks generally don’t get career ending injuries. Here we go brownies here we go. Woof woof
Delusional…woof woof
Did you hear. Great day to be a Browns fan
It’s a little late to be coming around to an obvious conclusion.
So, if the Panthers get Baker Mayfield, they are going to the Super Bowl?
The playoffs?
A .500 season?
Being slightly less bad than they would have otherwise been?
The Browns have no understanding of leverage…except that their desperation gave it to Watson over them.
Now all they have to do is pay the other half!
Or ride it out and get a supplemental pick. A supplemental pick is worth more than 1.1 million
You mean “possibly” get a supplemental pick. It is a complex formula and there are only so many picks that get doled out each year. If Baker plays 0% of the snaps this upcoming season it only makes their odds of getting a supplemental pick go down even more.
True, and those picks ranging from the 3rd to 7th round are based on if you lost more than gained. If they go out and load up on free agents for when their sexual deviant returns they will not get any picks. So is it really worth dragging this out when they could get probably do better without waiting?
The Browns can’t seem to draft proper nor can they make trades worth a damn. They soured this relationship and are dragging their feet on this divorce worse than my 2nd exwife. Just let the man go, you screwed the pooch with the Watson deal so move on and quit acting like an eighth grader afraid to lose your steady.
Did you just give your ex wife all the money, the house and the kids?
It wasn’t a house it was a mobile home in tornado alley. No kids just a dog he hated anyway. As for money he had it squirreled away so she didn’t get much.
Lol just kidding
I do believe Baker Mayfield is better than Drew Lock or Gino. Please Seahawks make the trade…at least we could be 9-8 instead of 2-15.