3 last-ditch trade offers for the Panthers to land Baker Mayfield before camp
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers trade offer No. 2
Negotiations regarding trades are complicated enough most of the time without factoring in the contract issues. The Carolina Panthers found this out to their cost last season when they were forced to eat $17 million in dead-cap money to move Teddy Bridgewater to the Denver Broncos for nothing more than a sixth-round pick.
Although this is a decision they’d probably like to have back considering how much Sam Darnold struggled in 2021, it has not stopped the organization from going after another potential problem-solver under center. Moves for Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson didn’t come off, but the prospect of Baker Mayfield joining before training camp is far more realistic if the interest is there.
Asking the Cleveland Browns to stump up half of the cost and a sixth-rounder with Mayfield in exchange for a 2023 fourth-rounder could be enough to get this deal over the line. Carolina has given up plenty of draft capital on trades since general manager Scott Fitterer joined the ranks, but if this provides the Panthers with a legitimate starter, it’s a small price to pay.
Of course, Mayfield might not be the answer. Although his previous production and playoff success far exceeds anything Sam Darnold’s accomplished throughout his four-year career.
Just how this would be received by the team’s fanbase is also up for debate. But if recent history is any indication, their opinions will not matter to those making the decisions at the very top.