Baker Mayfield – Carolina Panthers QB
Of course, the biggest potential winner in all this is Baker Mayfield himself. The quarterback gets the fresh start he’s been craving all offseason and lands on a team where a starting gig is almost guaranteed.
According to ESPN’s insider Jeremy Fowler, influential figures within the Carolina Panthers were given permission to sit down with Mayfield in the weeks leading up to the trade, where he became excited at the prospect of coming to the organization. This was enough for the former Heisman Trophy winner to sacrifice $3.5 million of his salary to get this deal over the line.
Mayfield can get it back with incentives. But proving people wrong is all the motivation he needs to become successful in a different environment.
Playing injured last season cost Mayfield in a big way. Providing there are no more problems on the shoulder front, then getting back to the form that got the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs and even a memorable postseason victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers is not out of the question.
Carolina brought in Mayfield as a short-term fix as Matt Corral is afforded all the time he needs to develop. However, if the player far exceeds expectations then a longer commitment could be in the offing to prevent him from hitting the free-agent market.
Mayfield got his wish. But the hard work starts now.