For a while, the Panthers appeared to have the Baker Mayfield market to themselves. Regarding a trade, that still may be the case. But the Seahawks continue to represent an interested party.
Mayfield is also interested in a Seattle destination, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com, describing the Seahawks as more likely to acquire Mayfield than the Panthers — unless Carolina and Cleveland can move closer on trade terms. Those teams have been haggling over Mayfield’s contract for several weeks, though it is unknown what kind of compensation the Panthers are offering.
Not long after the Browns’ Deshaun Watson acquisition, Mayfield floated Seattle as his most likely landing spot. But the disgruntled QB was not exactly confident at that point, and the subsequent delay has only moved him further into NFL limbo. The Seahawks and Panthers worked with their in-house QBs throughout the two-month offseason program, but with Mayfield’s resume (as inconsistent as it is) presenting him as an upgrade for both teams, it is understandable he continues to be connected to each.
Carolina, however, has been the only team seriously mentioned as a Mayfield trade suitor. The Seahawks are not believed to have entered substantial negotiations with the Browns about splitting up Mayfield’s contract, with the NFC West team mentioned as only being interested in the QB as a free agent. That represents an interesting variable. The Seahawks have held a Geno Smith–Drew Lock competition, and Pete Carroll has said a trade for a third QB is unlikely. Of course, the 13th-year Seattle HC has offered some QB misdirection in the not-so-distant past.
Mayfield being interested in succeeding Russell Wilson in Seattle could provide some urgency for Carolina to finalize a trade. On the other end, the Panthers’ frequent talks — which are believed to have led to the Browns agreeing to pay around $10MM of Mayfield’s fully guaranteed $18.9MM salary — would stand to serve as a warning to the Seahawks they might miss out by not trying to acquire the fifth-year passer via trade. Thus far, the Seahawks have been willing to risk Mayfield going to the Panthers by not entering known trade talks.
Then again, the Seahawks just completed a major QB transaction after little surfaced regarding trade talks. The Broncos had been mentioned as a team Wilson would waive his no-trade clause for, but GMs John Schneider and George Paton‘s negotiations — between the Combine and early March, when the future Hall of Famer was dealt for a monster trade package — largely proceeded off the grid. If the Seahawks are potentially conducting trade talks with the Browns, that could prompt the Panthers to make a better offer.
If this process does reach the point the Browns cut Mayfield — which the AFC North team has continually resisted — the passer’s Seahawks interest would be relevant if it comes down to a Carolina-or-Seattle free agency decision. More than a month away from training camp, that scenario remains far off. But it would certainly be better for one of these teams to make a move earlier, in an effort to have Mayfield up to relative speed on his new team’s scheme by camp.
They are not cutting him. At least not before the season is underway. Makes no sense.
Makes no sense to roster 5 QBs either, especially since Mayfield does not want to be there.
Makes no sense to pay one to play for another team and get nothing when you can tell him to stay away for the season and get a draft pick when he leaves as a free agent.
Makes perfect sense if that player is a problem and a cancer in the looker room. He can make himself a problem of he wants out…which he does. Consider the 18 million for Mayfield and 1 million for super creep your 19 million for a QB. That’s still not bad. But Mayfield won’t be around dawg. You can’t break up with your GF and keep her around incase it doesn’t work out with your new GF. Stacy It’s over. We broke up.
They can tell him to stay away. They’re doing it now. They can keep him on the roster and just make him inactive every week. The Browns have 42 million in cap room. That includes Mayfield’s 18.3 million. You’re not going to win this. Quit
Not trying to win. Don’t really care. Hope they keep him on the couch all year and pay him 19 million to get fat. Hope the Browns are the Browns. Hope Watson gets Alex Smithed on his first drop back. Still think Mayfield gets moved and you aren’t changing my mind so you could also quit if you want!
You can trade him and get a 4 maybe a 5 for him and not have to pay half his salary or sit him all year and pay it all. Then get an end of the round 3rd to a 5th. Seems trading him saves some money and a roster spot that could be used for someone that helps the team. That’s just me though. Your team is playing hardball with pool noodles they have no leverage.
Seems like an odd avatar choice for a site that’s all dudes.
Thanks for the compliment.
This rests on the flawed assumption that a comically inept franchise will make moves that make sense.
Why start now?
@Browns Backer
It didn’t make sense to me at least for the Browns to go all in with Deshaun Watson and the Browns did
He’s a huge upgrade over Baker
That pic won’t get watsons attention good try though
Thanks for the compliment. Not bad for an old man. 60 years old
Watson laughed guess you need to try another gimmick ya old fart
Is this you Rick Flair, Macho Man? Bet you’re a hit in the trailer park
Stone cold. What’s wrong gramps can’t see with the old eyes??? Where are your reading glasses son
Rip macho man
I knew it some 10 year olds hero. I kept thinking teenage mutant ninja turtles. I bet you have a poster of them? I did win a physique contest in the masters division 2 years ago.
The Browns did not have a qvy problem
They created one though
Mayfield was the 26th rated quarterback last year. That’s a problem. I do think injuries played a part but I just don’t think they trusted him to win a game.
If we go back a few weeks he was a great QB and teams were dumb not to trade for him and eat all his salary. In your old age did you forget that. I am older and remember that.
What are 3 things an old man sure never pass up?
A Bathroom
I forget this one
A good stiffy
Teams are dumb not to trade for Mayfield for what the Browns are asking. Mayfield is a starting quarterback in this league, he’s just not a top 10. I would put Mayfield in the Ryan Tannehill category. Trust me, you couldn’t keep up with me in the gym.
You are right since I am disabled. I can’t stand for more than a few minutes can’t walk up a hill very far can’t lift over 15 LBs. My back is way screwed up. Had 3 surgeries.
Good luck on your recovery. People take their health for granted until it’s gone.
I may be alone on this but regardless of what Carrol said/says, an NFL team cannot have a DK Metcalf WR with a Drew/Geno QB without exhausting every viable option
Everyone is DK DK DK…I love DK but he is the second best receiver on the team…Tyler Lockett deserves a better QB then Drew/Geno
Nothing but Clickbait. Geno is max 8 wins and not the future. Lock has more potential upside and if he caves, those first round picks are even better next year. Let the kids play, work on that young D. Mayfield would give us what…9? 10 wins? Not worth it
I get an argument to ride our a less competitive season for a better QB prospect. I don’t get an argument that Lock has more upside than Mayfield.
Absolutely this. Both parts. Accidentally tanking on purpose seems like the only viable option. Luck will do it with style. 8 wins is a dream
9 or 10 wins isn’t worth it? That could be a wildcard spot.
9 or 10 wins with Baker?? Don’t see that happening..don’t see 8 with Geno or lock either.
With two rookie OTs and that defense, even Russ would be an underdog to get them to 10 this year.
Mayfield could do 8-12 but without equity. Only makes sense from a fan standpoint. As a business and building future success. A luck tank year is amazing. But an Eason development year would be great for the PNW. But he’ll need his whole rookie contract to be viable.
The Browns are definitely not cutting OR trading Mayfield. Watson will receive a lengthy suspension, and they’ll need a starting QB.
That’s not happening either. Actually they’ll cut Mayfield before he plays a down for them
LoL ….you actually think he’s gonna play QB for the team after they just treated him like ish this offseason? (Yes I know he’s under contract, no I don’t think he cares and if he was FORCED to go out there, you’d get an even worse version of him than last year when he was playing on a dead shoulder.
Back in the day, Al Davis was the guy who was always on the prowl for reclamation projects but Pete Carroll seems to have inherited that role now.
Carroll and Baker are a perfect team. Neither have a clue. I am looking forward to see Baker do all those commercials from Seattle thou.
Mayfield is simply choosing the dog with the least fleas. That mess in Carolina is going to get worse before it gets better.
Mayfield will take any dog right now. He’s a free agent and the only way he makes half of what he’s gonna make this year is if he gets on the field and plays a full season, otherwise he’ll be Mitchell Trubisky. A 2 year prove it deal
Watson will not play this season. The Browns would be wise to hold on to Baker.
21 hrs and no update on Baker. I heard he was going to Toronto Argonauts. They offered a. Train car of lumber 10 cases of maple syrup and 20 cases of Kokanee they will also pay his salary in Canadian money.
If they want to take his salary, I’d do it. I heard a rumor that if Watson is suspended the whole year, the Browns may go after Garapollo