Panthers-Browns talks about Baker Mayfield have reheated, to some degree, this week. The former Cleveland starter has been consistently connected to Carolina this offseason. San Francisco’s four-plus-year starter has not.
Jimmy Garoppolo‘s March shoulder surgery altered his trade market, effectively pausing it for what could be a four-plus-month stretch. The Browns have not blinked yet on dealing Mayfield, with money at the heart of the slowdown in their Panthers talks. The money remaining on Garoppolo’s deal is also an issue for Carolina, but The Athletic’s Joe Person notes some in the Panthers organization are concerned about Garoppolo’s health (subscription required).
The procedure on Garoppolo’s right shoulder followed a surgery on a thumb injury that plagued the veteran quarterback in the playoffs. Garoppolo, 30, also missed a game due to a calf injury midway through last season. The former Patriots backup missed most of the 2018 season after an ACL tear and was shut down after six games into the 2020 campaign because of a high ankle sprain — one he initially suffered in Week 2 of that season.
The injuries Mayfield battled for most of last season resulted in a steep performance drop-off and represent part of the reason he is on the outs in Cleveland, but they have not affected his trade market to the degree Garoppolo’s shoulder ailment has his. Garoppolo is expected to be ready to throw again in July, but with the Panthers perhaps prepared to pull the trigger on a veteran QB soon — if, indeed, they finally add to their Sam Darnold–Matt Corral passer setup — are they willing to wait for Garoppolo?
A $24.2MM base salary would come with Garoppolo, as of now, but Person adds the Panthers are not open to taking on that amount. Garoppolo could agree to adjust his deal, in an effort to land in a better situation, but the ninth-year veteran could also balk at doing so in an effort to hit free agency. A refusal by Garoppolo to drop his 2022 price would apply pressure to the 49ers to release him. Garoppolo’s salary is nonguaranteed; it becomes fully guaranteed by Week 1. This price tag has led some to believe the 49ers will indeed cut Garoppolo.
While a two-time NFC championship game starter, the oft-scrutinized QB carries considerable baggage that stands to complicate his upcoming age-31 season. The 49ers have stopped short of guaranteeing Garoppolo will be dealt, and while that is the scenario the team still hopes unfolds, the health and financial aspects here could mar a deal.
I’m not sure Captain Checkdown would move the needle for Carolina?
Well, when the needle is currently on Sam Darnold…
Charlie Brown concerned about Lucy’s placeholding.
I’d be more concerned about his play while healthy
And he’s had real targets in SF.
The SF front office is such a mess. They passed on Mahomes for Solomon F’n Thomas (bust) only so they could trade draft capital for Jimmy G so they could then turn around and trade a FU** ton of draft capital to REPLACE Jimmy G with some unproven dude from North Baked Potato St. that competed against dudes that are currently selling insurance. I don’t trust Lynch and Shanahan, not even sort of.
Hindsight is 20/20. Thomas looked much better as a prospect than Mahomes did. Holding San Fran responsible for picking the better looking prospect at the time is hardly helpful in any way, shape or form. Not only are you expecting the team to have had psychic knowledge regarding draftees, you are also assuming that Mahomes would have been the same elite player in San Francisco that he is in Kansas City-without Andy Reid, any of the rest of the coaches, his teammates, or the possible motivation that may come from being selected lower than he thought was appropriate.
It’s not like Mahomes was regarded as a first overall pick. He was widely thought of as a talented project who played against questionable defenses in a system designed to stuff stats. Thomas was one of the best defensive players in the country. I do agree with you that Shanahan probably has too much confidence in his abilities to assume that he can magically turn any college QB into a star. That much is true-trading as much as they did for a project is questionable. But that’s actually the opposite of the approach that they took with Thomas.
Bryzzo, your post shows your ignorance by taking 3 small incidents to paint your picture of “front office is such a mess.” What a moronic statement. SF front office is highly regarded as one of the best, and do you remember how many other teams past up Mahomes? Also, the JG trade was for a 2nd, that’s it. We went to 1 Superbowl, 2 NFC championships with him. I’m not a huge JG fan, but ANY non-idiot would consider that trade for a 2nd a success. Now, I won’t even give any credence to you to your stupid Lance take, because only God knows how good he will be at this point since he hasn’t even played yet (2 GAMES). But Fred Warner (3rd), Deebo (2nd), trading for the best LT in the NFL for a 2nd, Mitchell (6th), Kittle (6th), two of the best players in the entire league. Being able to keep our top players, create a culture that many players sign for less to join, and then turning other people’s busts into pro-bowlers. Check your facts before you causally blurt out such stupid and off the mark posts.
Thinking Carolina will make the deal to get Mayfield!
He’s been the good soldier in San Francisco. They should cut him now so he can find a situation he is comfortable with.
It’s not really a good sign for Darnold that the Panthers have renewed their interest in Mayfield and Garappolo after teams have reconvened. They were quiet until that happened, which means that Darnold may not have given them enough to be confident.
Last year was disappointing for both parties, but I really can’t put the blame all on Darnold. He didn’t play well down the stretch, but Carolina really was a trainwreck on and off the field in almost every way. I don’t think that whomever they get will be any better if the team itself doesn’t change, starting with the culture that’s trickled down from their impatient and hands-on owner.
It’s unfortunate when people like Tepper can afford a new toy to replace their Lego set. The Panthers will continue to be a trainwreck as long as he is in charge.