Despite an impending suspension headed towards Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns are still desperately trying to rid themselves of Baker Mayfield.
Josina Anderson reported that the Panthers are still doing their due diligence on Mayfield both as a “football player and person.”
However, money continues to be a major obstacle. Carolina wants the Browns to pick up a large chunk of Mayfield’s $18.898 million salary in 2022, while Cleveland so far has been unwilling to do so.
NFL reporter Albert Breer appeared on The Rich Eisen Show this week and revealed how much the Browns are willing to pay of that salary.
“Cleveland’s been willing to take on a fair amount of Baker’s salary, like $9, $10 million. For people out there who think that Cleveland’s holding on to Baker as Deshaun insurance, they wouldn’t be offering to take on a pretty significant portion of the guy’s salary if they were looking to hold him until there’s more clarity in the Deshaun Watson case.”
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He continued:
“If there was a good deal out for Baker Mayfield for the Panthers, he might already be a Panther. If they were in a position where they only had to pay him $4 or $5 million, then I think there is a decent chance that Baker Mayfield would be in Carolina now and Cleveland would have a draft pick for him.”
The Browns exercised Mayfield’s fifth-year option which will cost Cleveland $18.858 million fully guaranteed in 2022.
The Browns have made it known they do not plan to cut Mayfield, meaning this situation could drag out for a long time if no trade partner is found.
In 2021, Mayfield appeared in 14 games and completed 60.5 percent of his passes for 3,010 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He also rushed for 134 yards and a touchdown.
