It appears the Carolina Panthers have not ruled out a trade for Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Before selecting rookie QB Matt Corral with a third-round pick in this year’s draft, the Carolina Panthers reportedly discussed a potential trade deal, but something needs to happen before they go through with it.
The hang-up in the trade negotiations reportedly came in discussions about Mayfield’s guaranteed $18.8 million fifth-year option. According to Panthers insider Jonathan M. Alexander of the Charlotte Observer, the Carolina front office wants the Browns to be on the hook for at least $13-14 million of the 2022 salary.
The Panthers are “monitoring” a Mayfield trade as Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer also stated that the Browns would have to retain the majority of Mayfield’s $18.9 million salary in 2022 in order for Carolina to move forward on a deal.
“Of course, if the Browns eat more salary sooner, I think the possibility exists he could be moved to Carolina (or Seattle) in the next few weeks,” Breer wrote.
Mayfield has been a trade candidate since the Browns acquired Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans in March. However, many believe the franchise may hold on to him to start the 2022 season as Watson faces a possible suspension under the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Twenty-two women filed civil cases alleging Watson committed sexual assault and sexual misconduct.
Mayfield requested a trade before the team acquired Watson, telling ESPN’s Adam Schefter it’s “in the mutual interest of both sides for us to move on” and that their relationship is “too far gone to mend.”
