Panthers have ‘inside track’ to land Baker Mayfield after Deshaun Watson trade: report

Baker Mayfield is in NFL limbo following the Cleveland Browns’ determination to commerce for Deshaun Watson, however one crew within the NFC has reportedly emerged as a front-runner to land the previous Oklahoma quarterback.

The Carolina Panthers, who’ve final yr’s starter Sam Darnold on their roster, are believed to have the “inside monitor” to accumulate Mayfield, The Plain Supplier reported. Mayfield would probably begin over Darnold and a rookie if the Panthers determine to pick one on this month’s draft, and the transfer might reportedly occur within the subsequent couple of weeks.

The report coincides with feedback made Friday by NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport on the Pat McAfee Present indicating Carolina can be the almost certainly touchdown spot for the quarterback. 

“To me, the Carolina Panthers appear to be the almost certainly spot for Baker Mayfield, or possibly a crew brings him in as a high-money backup, just like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – that might make some sense to me,” Rapoport stated. 

Final week, Mayfield stated he felt “disrespected” by the Browns after they traded for Watson, who remains to be dealing with 22 lawsuits over sexual assault allegations.

“I really feel disrespected 100%,” Mayfield stated on the YNK podcast that aired Wednesday. “As a result of I used to be instructed one factor, they usually utterly did one other. That’s what I’m in the course of proper now.”

BAKER MAYFIELD SAYS HE FEELS ‘DISRESPECTED’ BY BROWNS FOLLOWING DESHAUN WATSON TRADE

Mayfield, who stays on the Browns roster and can probably be traded quickly, initially believed he would wind up with the Indianapolis Colts. Final week, he stated the Seattle Seahawks “would in all probability be the almost certainly possibility” after they traded away longtime starter Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos. 

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield works out previous to a recreation in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore.
(AP Photograph/Gail Burton)

“I am prepared for the following chapter, the following alternative, as a result of the one one I am assured with the following spot is one yr,” he stated.

His subsequent chapter has but to be written as a result of a number of groups are reportedly fascinated about Mayfield.

If Mayfield lands in Carolina, which misplaced out on the Watson sweepstakes, one teammate may not be too completely satisfied in regards to the transfer. 

After Panthers.means on Instagram posted a quote indicating the Panthers can be the almost certainly touchdown spot for Mayfield, huge receiver Robby Anderson, responded “Nooooo.”

Carolina Panthers huge receiver Robby Anderson celebrates after scoring in opposition to the New York Jets Sept. 12, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C.
(AP Photograph/Nell Redmond)

Final yr with the Panthers, Anderson caught 53 passes for 519 yards, the bottom receiving complete of his profession. Darnold went 4-7 as a starter in 11 video games for Carolina final season, throwing for two,527 yards, 9 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.  

As for Mayfield, the quarterback battled a shoulder harm final season in Cleveland. He began 14 video games and threw for 3,010 yards and 17 touchdowns, the bottom totals in his profession. 

Mayfield led the Browns to the playoffs in 2020 for the primary time since 2002, throwing for 3,563 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions.