Baker Mayfield and the Browns are heading toward an inevitable split. It's just a matter of when it will happen.
The relationship between Mayfield and the Browns deteriorated rapidly during the 2022 NFL offseason. Mayfield is coming off a down year in 2021, as he dealt with several injuries and was unable to lead Cleveland to the playoffs, leading the Browns to explore the quarterback market.
The point of no return in the relationship came when Cleveland got involved in the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes. The Browns appeared to be out of the running for Watson but intimated they were OK with that. Why? Because they still had Mayfield.
Well, Mayfield didn't like that he was essentially Plan B for the Browns. So, he requested a trade away from the team. The Browns were unwilling to comply with that request at first, but then they actually did land Watson to be the team's new starting quarterback. Since then, they have been looking to trade Mayfield.
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However, Cleveland is looking to get the biggest possible return out of Mayfield. As such, the Browns haven't yet traded him as teams across the NFL simply haven't shown an interest in giving up significant assets to land Mayfield.
Still, there are a few quarterback-needy teams out there, including the Panthers, Seahawks and Falcons. And considering that the 2022 NFL Draft class is weak at the position, it seems likely that Mayfield will find a home during the draft.
When will we see a Mayfield trade, and how much might a team be willing to give up to acquire him? Here are the latest rumors surrounding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft as he hopes to find a place to start anew.
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Baker Mayfield trade rumors week of 2022 NFL Draft
Pete Carroll says "nothing's going to change that quick" at QB
- Date: April 30
- Source: Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times
It doesn't sound like the Seahawks are going to trade for Baker Mayfield at this time. Pete Carroll appeared on NFL Network and was asked whether Seattle would add another quarterback to compete with Drew Lock, Geno Smith and Jacob Eason over the last two rounds of the draft.
Carroll wouldn't shut the door on the possibility. However, it doesn't sound like they are going to draft another player or make a trade by the end of the week, as Carroll explained.
Pete Carroll on the NFL Network, asked about adding another QB, gives the standard response that "we're always looking.'' But asked if a QB would be added by end of the weekend says "nothing's going to change that quick now. Happy with the guys we've got.''
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) April 30, 2022
That doesn't mean that the Seahawks are out on Mayfield, but it doesn't look like they are going to be trading for him in the near future.
Deal with Panthers could happen as early as Friday or over weekend
- Date: April 29
- Source: ESPN's Kimberly A. Martin
Carolina remains in the mix for Mayfield, and it is possible that the Panthers might make a deal for him as early as Friday, according to ESPN's Kimberley A. Martin. The Panthers did not use their No. 6 overall pick on a quarterback, and they won't pick again in the 2022 NFL Draft until 137th overall, which will be in the fourth round on Saturday.
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— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) April 30, 2022
The #Panthers’ pursuit of Baker Mayfield continues to heat up … The #Browns quarterback *COULD* end up in CAR by tonight or this weekend…
Panthers remain in the mix for Baker Mayfield but deal is "complicated"
- Date: April 29
- Source: NFL Network's Tom Pelissero
The Panthers weren't expected to trade for Baker Mayfield before the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. However, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Carolina will consider doing so on Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft. He also says that a deal is "complicated" because of the $18.8 million remaining on Mayfield's contract.
Meanwhile, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport notes that the Panthers could trade up for a quarterback on Day 2. They don't have a pick until No. 137 overall, but they could trade 2023 picks to move up for the likes of Malik Willis, Matt Corral or another quarterback.
From NFL Draft Kickoff: A look at how early #Liberty QB Malik Willis will go, while pondering what's next for #Browns QB Baker Mayfield... Plus, could the #Panthers trade back into the 2nd round for a QB? pic.twitter.com/dEYU9kKOpJ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 29, 2022
'Handful of teams' interested in trading for Baker Mayfield
- Date: April 28
- Source: Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com
Baker Mayfield's name will be at the forefront throughout the NFL Draft, as most expect the Browns to move him by the end of the weekend. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com says a "handful of teams" are in the mix for the quarterback with the draft set to begin Thursday.
While the Panthers have been the most prominently discussed suitor and the Seahawks also are in need of a QB, Cabot reports "there are a couple of teams that haven't been identified yet who could come forward over the weekend depending on how the draft falls." Cabot mentions the Falcons, Saints and Giants as other possible landing spots.
Seahawks "don't sound overly eager" about trading for Baker Mayfield
- Date: April 26
- Source: CBS Sports' Josina Anderson
The Seahawks are considered to be one of the frontrunners to land Baker Mayfield. However, Josina Anderson is hearing that Seattle isn't interested in trading for him given the $18.8 million remaining on his contract.
Spoke to a league source on Baker Mayfield. At this time, the #Seahawks still don't sound overly eager on dealing for the #Browns quarterback &* his salary at that price in a situation where they feel Cleveland has to eventually move him. Still worth monitoring.@BovadaOfficial
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) April 26, 2022
Panthers unlikely to trade for Baker Mayfield prior to Round 1 of the draft
- Date: April 25
- Source: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
Rapoport says in a tweet that the Panthers are "not expected to trade for Mayfield" prior to Round 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft. He notes that Carolina wants to see what happens with its first overall pick at No. 6 before considering Mayfield.
The #Panthers are not expected to trade for #Browns QB Baker Mayfield prior to the first round of the NFL Draft, sources say, if they do it at all. Thursday has to play out first, before any other options are considered. Carolina picks No. 6.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 25, 2022
The Panthers have been linked to quarterbacks Malik Willis and Kenny Pickett atop the 2022 NFL Draft. They could select one of those top passers, but the team has also been increasingly linked to offensive tackles with the sixth overall pick.
If Carolina chooses an offensive tackle, then the team would likely have a greater interest in acquiring Mayfield. The only issue is that the Panthers don't have a second- or third-round pick in this year's draft. So, unless they trade down to acquire one, the Panthers would only be able to offer Cleveland Day 3 picks and future draft capital for Mayfield. It's unclear whether that will get the job done.
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Browns will have to eat "a large portion" of Baker Mayfield's contract to facilitate trade
- Date: April 24
- Source: Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline
Pauline had a few things to note about a potential Mayfield trade to kickstart draft week. First, he said that Mayfield is expected to be traded during Day 2 or 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft. So, the Browns will have to continue waiting to resolve his future.
Additionally, the Seahawks and Panthers seem like the two frontrunners for Mayfield given the holes they have at quarterback. That said, Pauline noted that the Seahawks could trade into the back end of the first round of the draft to select a quarterback. That would take them out of the Mayfield sweepstakes.
Finally, Cleveland will have to eat a large portion of Mayfield's contract to facilitate a deal. Mayfield is set to make $18.8 million in 2022, fully guaranteed. Teams aren't willing to pay that price for Mayfield, so Cleveland will "essentially be buying a draft pick," as Pauline put it.
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Browns are "highly motivated" to trade Baker Mayfield before or around draft time
- Date: April 24
- Source: ESPN's Jeremy Fowler
The Browns are looking to trade Mayfield before or during the draft, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. He revealed on SportsCenter that the market for Mayfield is rather weak.
The Browns are highly motivated to get this done, preferably before or around draft time. They’ve got six days to create that urgency; they want that $19 million guaranteed money off their salary-cap books. The best way to do that is to trade him. If they cut him, they still have to eat a lot or all of that money. Teams know that, so they’re sort of waiting in the weeds here. There just really hasn’t been a strong market.
We'll see if the market strengthens as the draft draws nearer. But as it stands, only a few teams are still looking for potential starters. And few teams can afford the $18.8 million cap hit that will come with Mayfield.
