On Wednesday, National Football League (NFL) Insider Ian Rapoport broke NFL Twitter when he broke the news that the Cleveland Browns traded Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers sent a 2024 conditional 5th-round pick to Cleveland for Mayfield.
This is huge, to say the least. Mayfield has been in NFL limbo since the Browns traded for Deshaun Watson back in March. With Watson’s off-the-field problems, it was unclear if the Browns would try to keep Mayfield if Watson could not play. Mayfield was very adamant that he wanted out, but trade partners seemed to be scarce as teams weren’t looking to go all out for Mayfield. The confusion was cleared up on Wednesday as the Browns sent the former No. 1 overall pick to Carolina.
Mayfield’s time in Cleveland
To call Baker’s time in Cleveland anything but a success would be crazy. For the better part of a decade, the Browns were searching for “their guy” at quarterback (QB) and, after starting his rookie season on the bench, Mayfield seemed to be that guy. The former No. 1 overall pick thrived as a rookie and put up great numbers, having completed 63.8% of his passes as he threw for 3,725 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Mayfield broke the record for most passing touchdowns in a season by a rookie, set by Russell Wilson (2012) and Peyton Manning (1998) who both threw 26.
After a sophomore season that saw Mayfield take a bit of a step back, his third season was one of his best. He lead the Browns to an 11-5 record as he threw for 3,563 yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while completing 62.8% of his passes. The 11-5 record earned the Mayfield and the Browns a spot in the playoffs, their first trip to the playoffs since 2002.
They went on the road to take on their division rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mayfield and the Browns dominated from the start as they went up 28-0 in the first quarter, shocking Steelers and football fans everywhere. Mayfield put up 263 passing yards and three touchdowns in the 48-37 win, their first playoff win since 1994.
They fell in the divisional round on the road to the Kansas City Chiefs. Things went sour for Mayfield and the Browns in 2021, as he played with an injured shoulder during the 2021 season, the Browns failing to find success similar to the 2020 season. In 14 games, Mayfield passed for 3,010 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions as he completed 60.5% of his passes. The Browns went 6-8 in the games that Mayfield played. Mayfield enhanced the team as a contributing player, and seemed be the guy behind center that Cleveland had been looking for, but the front office thought otherwise. Some thought the infamous Browns quarterback jersey would end with the name Mayfield, but now Browns fans will have to hope it ends with Watson.
New Start in Carolina
I thought Mayfield was a perfect fit for Cleveland, his fire and passion seemed like a match made in heaven as he embraced the franchise and city, while many others have not.
Mayfield will have a new opportunity to become a franchise quarterback as he joins a QB room that consists of Sam Darnold, Matt Carroll, and XFL legend PJ Walker. If Mayfield is healthy, he should be the day one starter in Carolina this season. Matt Rhule would be inserting Mayfield into a very fun offense that features all-pro running back Christian McCaffery as well as talented receivers in DJ Moore and Robby Anderson. If Mayfield can get back to form, he could be set up for great success.
The Panthers have been searching for the quarterback since they said goodbye to Cam Newton, and Mayfield will attempt to fill that hole for a second time in just four years. The Panthers finished 5-12 last season but star running back McCaffery played in just seven games. If both McCaffery and Mayfield are healthy, and the rest of the roster can avoid injuries, this team could be one to look out for. While the NFC South is home to one of the best teams in the league, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the rest of the division is up in the air. The New Orleans Saints made strides to get better this offseason, but still have question marks and the Atlanta Falcons are so young and inexperienced. If the Panthers can put it all together, they could find themselves towards the top of the NFC South.
You might be wondering if Mayfield is healthy and Matt Rhule names him the starting quarterback, who will Mayfield be playing against in week 1? The Panthers host the Browns in week 1, how poetic. Week 1 was already must-see TV, but the Mayfield revenge game could be incredible. Be sure to have the popcorn ready for that one.
My Final Thoughts
As an unbiased outsider, I hate that Mayfield isn’t going to be a lifelong Brown. It seemed to be a perfect fit. Their move to get Watson is a reminder that at the end of the day, the NFL is a business and they made a business move. I really love the potential of the new Panthers offense with Mayfield under center. Rhule and the coaching staff finally, in my opinion, have a quarterback to work with. This could be a rare case where a trade works out for both sides, but we will have to wait and see.
 Insider Ian Rapoport broke NFL Twitter when he broke the news that the Cleveland Browns traded Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers sent a 2024 conditional 5th-round pick to Cleveland for Mayfield.){kind=link}