While head coach Kevin Stefanski may have wanted a quick resolution to the Cleveland Browns relationship with Baker Mayfield, that resolution seems nowhere in sight right now. Mayfield has went on a podcast to explain what his experience is like and had a statute unveiling at Oklahoma since while the Browns continue to build their roster around Deshaun Watson.
We have also had a report that neither Jadeveon Clowney or Jarvis Landry would be interested in a return if Mayfield was still the team’s starting quarterback.
With the NFL draft just days away, a trade of Mayfield seems unlikely to happen this week. According to Ian Rapoport, the Carolina Panthers won’t be making a move until after their selection in the first round, at the earliest:
The #Panthers are not expected to trade for #Browns QB Baker Mayfield prior to the first round of the NFL Draft, sources say, if they do it at all. Thursday has to play out first, before any other options are considered. Carolina picks No. 6.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 25, 2022
It makes sense for the Panthers in a couple of ways. First, and maybe most important, they don’t want to tip their hand on who they may select at pick #6. Second, if a quarterback is their selection in the first round or one falls to the second round, they keep all their options open. Finally, no team has made a move for Mayfield yet so it is a good assumption he will be available after Thursday.
In the end, Cleveland and Mayfield’s days seem numbered but that number is probably bigger than anyone would like it to be. If he ends up in Carolina, that number is at least five days.