The prevailing theme of the Carolina Panthers’ offseason has been patience. And that’s particularly been the case when it’s come to addressing (or not addressing) the quarterback position—a strategy that’s oddly given them some modest flexibility moving forward.
A perfect case in point of this sits over in Cleveland, where the Browns remain pressed to rid themselves of Baker Mayfield. Following his team’s blockbuster move for three-time Pro Bowler Deshaun Watson, the former first overall pick is essentially up for grabs to highest-bidding quarterback-needy squad.
But that highest-bidding quarterback-needy squad doesn’t necessarily have to be the Panthers—nor the Seattle Seahawks, for that matter.
In the latest development of this Browns vs. Baker soap opera, The Athletic‘s NFL national insider reports that both Carolina and Seattle are waiting for Cleveland to sweeten the deal themselves:
“The Panthers and Seahawks still haven’t ruled out acquiring Mayfield, but they’ll need the Browns to take on a much greater portion of his contract than they’ve offered so far.”
Mayfield is in line to rake in the fifth-year option on his contract, which’ll pay out at approximately $18.8 million. While that amount isn’t really pricey for a decent enough passer like Mayfield, it’s enough for both the Panthers and Seahawks to flex that leverage in the face of the desperate Browns.
Plus, Carolina is already set to pay another disappointing quarterback from the 2018 draft that same type of gouda—with a talented 2022 third-rounder now on the roster. So why rush?
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