Baker Mayfield wants out of Cleveland and badly. The Browns figure to accommodate that request soon enough (otherwise, why would they commit $230 million to Deshaun Watson?), but where will the former Heisman winner land? NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport weighed in on Mayfield’s trade market Friday on the Pat McAfee Show, suggesting the 27-year-old could find a home in Carolina.
“The Carolina Panthers seem to be the most likely spot for Baker Mayfield,” opined Rapoport. “Or maybe a team that brings him in as a big-time, high-money backup who could take over, like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That would make some sense to me as well.”
Mayfield would be an interesting contingency plan for the Bucs with rumblings that incumbent Tom Brady may not be long for Tampa (the 44-year-old nearly landed in Miami with Sean Payton attached as part of a package deal). The Panthers, meanwhile, could select a quarterback with the No. 6 pick in this month’s draft (Kenny Pickett has a history with coach Matt Rhule, who previously recruited him to Temple), though acquiring a veteran like Mayfield or Jimmy Garoppolo is equally plausible. While that idea may not appeal to wide receiver Robby Anderson (who, as evidenced by his recent Instagram musings, is no fan of Mayfield), last year made abundantly clear Sam Darnold isn’t a long-term solution, or even a worthwhile bridge option, at football’s most important position.
In a podcast appearance earlier this week, Mayfield implied the Seahawks would be his best fit, though, from what Rapoport has gathered, that interest doesn’t appear to be mutual. “[Mayfield] identified the Seahawks as his likely team. That was a little surprising to me, I have to say, because I haven’t gotten the sense at all that the Seahawks are that interested,” expressed Rapoport, skeptical the Seahawks would be willing to take on Mayfield’s $18.68-million salary, especially coming off a career-worst season. “They’ve added Drew Lock [acquired from Denver in the Russell Wilson trade]. They’ve added Geno Smith. They may take a quarterback in the draft.”
Last month’s quarterback musical chairs left Mayfield without a seat, but the former No. 1 pick should ultimately land on his feet, either as a starter on a rebuilding team or as a high-priority backup for a contender like Tampa Bay.
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