What are some realistic destinations for quarterback Baker Mayfield after his shock release by the Carolina Panthers?
Once deemed a potential savior for a failing offense, Baker Mayfield’s time with the Carolina Panthers ended with a shock release on Monday. The quarterback returned from the team’s bye week and asked those in power to let him go, which they granted given how inevitable this scenario was once the 2022 campaign concluded.
Mayfield now gets a head start on his next team providing there is sufficient interest. However, his poor production during six disappointing starts could mean suitors will be at a premium for the No. 1 overall selection in 2018.
It’s been a significant fall from grace for Mayfield over the last two seasons. What comes next for the Oklahoma product is unclear, but things became evident from pretty far out that his trade to the Panthers was never going to go as many anticipated.
With this in mind, here are four realistic destinations for Mayfield, at least in the short term.
Destination No. 1
Baker Mayfield could join the Texans
With Baker Mayfield on the waiver wire, the Houston Texans have the first refusal given their current struggles. Lovie Smith’s men have seemingly given up on 2021 third-rounder Davis Mills, so acquiring the Heisman Trophy winner might boost attendance if nothing else before the campaign.
Of course, Houston might decide to roll with what they have. The franchise currently holds the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft and even though Mayfield’s struggled with the Carolina Panthers, any slight injection could jeopardize their long-term future.
Baker Mayfield could join the Rams
After a memorable playoff run that ended with the Super Bowl in 2021, things have been a far cry from this where the Los Angeles Rams are concerned this season. Sean McVay’s team is a shell of its former self and with Matt Stafford currently on the shelf, things won’t be getting better anytime soon.
This cannot be classed as anything other than major underachievement. But if the Rams feel like Baker Mayfield can provide assistance, then it might be an option to consider at No. 4 on the waiver priority list.
Los Angeles is going nowhere fast and doesn’t even have the consolation of a high-end first-round selection after they gave it up to acquire Stafford from the Detroit Lions. Something they probably don’t regret given the deal played a significant role in securing the Vince Lombardi Trophy earlier this year.
Perhaps Mayfield could provide a spark. But asking the former Carolina Panthers signal-caller to pick up McVay’s complex offensive scheme with just five games remaining is a tough ask.
Stranger things have occurred around the league, especially when it comes to the seemingly never-ending quarterback carousel, but one has to wonder just what claiming Mayfield would accomplish for a team unlikely to make the postseason.
Baker Mayfield could join the Broncos
The Carolina Panthers aren’t the only team paying the price for poor personnel moves at football’s most pivotal position. This is also evident with the Denver Broncos, who gave up a substantial amount of draft capital to get Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks, which was swiftly followed by a lucrative contract extension that confirmed their faith in the nine-time Pro Bowler.
Wilson hasn’t come close to repaying this faith. Losing running back Javonte Williams was a blow, but that should not detract from what an absolute disaster the signal-caller’s been under the suspect leadership of Nathaniel Hackett.
Perhaps the best-case solution for Wilson would be getting him out of the firing line over the next five games before confidence goes completely. This would afford the veteran an extended period of reflection before hopefully coming back with renewed purpose in 2023.
Baker Mayfield could be a band-aid solution. Although improvements might not be readily available under Hackett, who looks out of his depth and is not up to the task of thriving in an NFL head coaching role.
This would be a big gamble, but the bar is not exactly high after Wilson’s inconsistencies. And in all honesty, how much worse could Mayfield be?
Baker Mayfield could join the 49ers
Baker Mayfield reportedly walked into the building and asked to be released when the Carolina Panthers reported back from their bye week. Did this have something to do with the unfortunate turn of events that transpired with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 13?
The veteran went off with a serious-looking ankle problem against the Miami Dolphins. San Francisco confirmed the worst and Garoppolo will now miss the remainder of the campaign as a result.
This is a disaster for the Niners, who went all in after acquiring Christian McCaffrey from the Panthers. But they are now without their top two signal-callers after Trey Lance also went down.
Undrafted free-agent Brock Purdy and Josh Johnson – who was signed on Monday – are their current options. That’s why Mayfield represents a legitimate option and would reunite with McCaffrey if this scenario comes to fruition.
General manager John Lynch will likely seek McCaffrey’s opinion on Mayfield, who was praised by the running back for his professionalism and adaptability in difficult circumstances during training camp. One potential complication is San Francisco’s position on the waiver order – which stands at No. 24 – so if there is interest, they need a bit of luck.
Mayfield’s time with the Panthers was a failure. Wherever he ends up next, this will undoubtedly be his final chance at proving he can successfully lead an NFL offense.