After several months of rumors and back and forth, finally Baker Mayfield’s NFL future is set. The marshal was traded to the Carolina Panthers this Wednesday, July 6, as confirmed by the franchise itself. So the Mayfield era ends in a few Cleveland Browns that Deshaun Watson’s status is still up in the air.
What did Carolina have to give up to add Mayfield? Just a 5th Round of the 2024 Draft. A cheap trade for the Panthers, for a QB who, while far from elite, has proven to be very serviceable and represents a clear upgrade over the other available options at the position: Sam Darnold, PJ Walker and rookie Matt Corral. .
Not an insignificant fact: The Browns and Panthers will meet in Week 1 of the 2022 season.
Once the Browns placed their bet on Watson, it was known that Mayfield would not continue with the franchise that selected him with the first pick of the 2018 Draft. Baker’s streak in Cleveland marks four seasons, a record 60 games 29-30 in the regular season and 1-1 in the playoffs61.6% completion percentage, 14,125 yards (235.4 per game), 92 touchdowns against 56 interceptions and a score 87.8.
JARVIS. LANDRY.
📺: https://t.co/NyBDmNclTK pic.twitter.com/DESCrHfqWx
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 11, 2021
Solid numbers though not as expected from a first choiceespecially if you consider that in the same 1st Round other generals with a huge presence were selected, such as Josh Allen Y Lamar Jackson.
Carolina, which in 2021 had Sam Darnold and Cam Newton as starting quarterbacks, they are far from being a threat in the NFC and Mayfield’s move doesn’t change the story. However, with what little he had to give in return and considering he’s still a player with good years ahead of him (Baker is 27), It’s not hard to understand the trade from the Panthers’ perspective.: Mayfield will help provide a more conducive environment for the development of young offensive players on the roster, such as wide receivers DJ Moore and Terrace Marshall or tight end Tommy Treble.
