CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – During the 2022 NFL Draft, talks between the Browns and Panthers concerning Baker Mayfield broke down.
But despite Carolina moving back into the third round to select Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral, the potential deal between the two teams for the 2018 No. 1 overall pick isn’t completely dead, according to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports and host of The Crew and undefined with Josina Anderson webcasts.
“My understanding is the door isn't 100% shut on the #Panthers and talks regarding Baker Mayfield, but I certainly received the impression that Carolina isn't in any rush, nor are they pressed, per league source. They will roll as is, if need be,” Anderson tweeted.
Sam Darnold is currently projected to be the Panthers Week 1 starter.
Since the QB carousel stopped spinning in March, which included the Browns acquisition of Deshaun Watson from the Texans that included a new five-year, $230 million guaranteed deal for Watson, the market for Mayfield has been lukewarm at best.
Browns executive vice president of football operations and general manager Andrew Berry has been clear about his willingness to be patient and not simply give Mayfield, who is guaranteed $18.858 million this season, away.
Last week, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll told KJR radio in Seattle he didn’t anticipate them trading for a veteran quarterback, but Carroll clearly left the door open to adding a veteran QB that might become a free agent.
On a webcast that was released last month, Mayfield said the Seahawks were the “most likely option” for him after the Colts passed on him and traded with the Falcons for soon to be 37-year-old Matt Ryan.
Tampa Bay and Washington also inquired about Mayfield but that was before the Commanders acquired Carson Wentz from the Colts and Tom Brady unretired.
Mayfield is 30-31, including the playoffs, as a starter and he had the second-longest streak of consecutive starts in franchise history before dislocating his left shoulder in Week 6 that exacerbated his torn left labrum injury suffered in Week 2 which forced him to miss a Thursday night win over Denver.
He has a 61.6 career completion percentage for 14,125 yards with 92 touchdowns but his 56 interceptions since 2018 are an NFL-worst.