Beforehand talked about as being uninterested in Baker Mayfield, the Panthers look to be reversing course. Carolina now has the “inside observe” to amass the disgruntled quarterback from Cleveland, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reviews.
Throughout his much-discussed podcast look this week, Mayfield talked about the Seahawks as his most certainly vacation spot. However the former No. 1 total decide was not sure, as his offseason has now seen him drift into limbo following the Browns’ Deshaun Watson commerce. A Panthers deal could be fascinating. Not solely has Mayfield been reported to be unenthused about enjoying with Carolina, Robby Anderson not too long ago tweeted he would not be excited about such a deal. Throughout an look on the “Pat McAfee Present,” NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport additionally talked about the Panthers because the most certainly Mayfield crew.
Carolina, nevertheless, is sensible as a Mayfield suitor. Matt Rhule is on the new seat, and GM Scott Fitterer mentioned the crew will possible must compromise its board to draft a quarterback at No. 6. Mayfield would give the Panthers an on the spot starter, one who would possible be an improve on each Carolina QB state of affairs since earlier than accidents derailed Cam Newton‘s profession. It will additionally pair Mayfield with Sam Darnold, giving the Panthers an fascinating setup that includes the primary two QBs drafted in 2018. Like Mayfield, Darnold is tied to a totally assured fifth-year possibility wage ($18.9M).
Whereas it could appear Mayfield lacks choices at this level, Cabot provides the fifth-year passer has “a number of” groups. The Seahawks would seemingly be on this combine. Others definitely would if the Browns reduce him, however they don’t seem to be anticipated to take action. A commerce is tentatively anticipated to be completed by the draft. In any other case, Mayfield’s market may shrink additional, with sure groups set to make seminal QB selections within the first and second rounds.
The Browns hope to resolve their newly awkward QB state of affairs quickly, moderately than carry Mayfield on their roster deep into the offseason. It appears he’ll beat Jimmy Garoppolo to the transaction wire. Will probably be fascinating if the Panthers or one other crew can persuade the Browns to tackle a part of Mayfield’s wage. The Browns doing so would stand to extend the extent of commerce compensation.
These Mayfield rumblings come after the Panthers accomplished a busy week of quarterback evaluations. They hosted six QB prospects this week. It will not be out of the query for Carolina to amass Mayfield and use its first-round decide on a passer, the likelier state of affairs could be the crew buying and selling for Mayfield and both taking a non-QB in Spherical 1 or buying and selling the decide. Missing any picks in Rounds 2 and three, the Panthers have discussed moving down with a couple of groups.
