Both groups confirmed the deal, with the Panthers asserting that it’s contingent upon Mayfield passing a bodily. The Browns obtain a conditional fifth-round choice within the 2024 NFL draft. The choose can turn into a fourth-rounder based mostly on Mayfield’s taking part in time in Carolina, in accordance to an individual aware of the matter.
Mayfield agreed to cut back his $18.858 million wage for the 2022 season by about $3.5 million, in accordance to an individual with information of the deliberations. The Browns can pay about $10.5 million of the remaining wage whereas the Panthers can pay roughly $5 million, in accordance to that particular person.
The Panthers host the Browns on Sept. 11, the season opener for each groups.
“Baker Mayfield infused our organization with tenacity and grit during his time as our starting quarterback,” Browns General Manager Andrew Berry mentioned in a written statement. “Baker’s competitiveness, toughness and ability to persevere were all characteristics that endeared him to our city as well as his teammates. He will always have a unique place in Browns history for what he accomplished and we wish him well as he continues his career.”
Mayfield, 27, is beneath contract for yet another season after the Browns beforehand exercised their fifth-year possibility on his four-year rookie contract, making him eligible for unrestricted free company subsequent offseason. He joins Sam Darnold — the quarterback chosen third total by the New York Jets within the 2018 NFL draft, two spots after the Browns took Mayfield — on the Panthers’ roster.
The deal comes 3½ months after the Browns changed Mayfield in March by buying and selling for Deshaun Watson, the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback for the Houston Texans who didn’t play final season whereas dealing with sexual misconduct allegations.
The Browns are parting with Mayfield even with Watson dealing with a probably prolonged suspension by the NFL beneath its private conduct coverage. The league argued to Sue L. Robinson, the previous U.S. district choose who’s the disciplinary officer collectively appointed by the NFL and the NFL Players Association, throughout a three-day listening to final week for an indefinite suspension of no less than one season, in accordance to an individual aware of the matter. The NFLPA is believed to have argued for no suspension.
Robinson instructed both sides to submit a post-hearing transient due subsequent week and can make her ruling thereafter. If she determines that Watson violated the conduct coverage and imposes disciplinary measures, both aspect can enchantment to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell or an individual designated by him.
The Browns added veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett this offseason however apparently believed that their relationship with Mayfield was irreparable, even with Watson’s unsure taking part in standing.
Mayfield will get his want after asking for a commerce. The Browns initially knowledgeable Mayfield by way of his consultant that they didn’t intend to adjust to that request.
But the Browns additionally had been instructed at one level that that they had been eradicated from consideration for having the ability to commerce for Watson. With the reversal by Watson and the commerce with the Texans, the Browns likewise reversed course on Mayfield’s commerce request, although it took months for the method to play out.
Mayfield’s wage was believed to have been an impediment. The Seattle Seahawks additionally had been linked to Mayfield in commerce hypothesis. But the Panthers, one other staff that pursued Watson in March, will give Mayfield his likelihood for a recent begin months after the fraying of his relationship with the Browns was placed on public show.
The Browns met with Watson on March 15 as a part of the deliberations on that commerce. Later that day, Mayfield acknowledged the uncertainty about his standing with the Browns in an announcement launched on social media. He thanked town of Cleveland and Browns followers in what amounted to a farewell handle, even when Mayfield didn’t say particularly at that time that he would play elsewhere subsequent season.
“I have no clue what happens next, which is the meaning behind the silence I have had during the duration of this process,” Mayfield mentioned in that assertion. “I can only control what I can, which is trusting in God’s plan throughout this process. I have given this franchise everything I have. That is something I’ve always done at every stage, and at every level. And that will not change wherever I take my next snap.”
Mayfield’s commerce request — and the Browns’ preliminary rejection of it — got here earlier than the Watson commerce. Mayfield then knowledgeable the Browns that he most well-liked to be traded to the Indianapolis Colts however would preserve an open thoughts in case such a deal couldn’t be labored out. The Colts as an alternative traded for Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, holding Mayfield on maintain because the Browns’ choices for dealing him dwindled.
The Browns by no means signed Mayfield to a profitable long-term deal that may have signaled their confidence in him as their franchise quarterback. He performed in 60 video games and made 59 begins over 4 seasons with the Browns after being drafted No. 1 total in 2018 out of Oklahoma, throwing for 14,125 yards and 92 touchdowns with 56 interceptions.
The Browns reached the playoffs within the 2020 season, with Kevin Stefanski as a rookie NFL head coach, however regressed to an 8-9 file final season. Mayfield struggled with accidents, throwing 13 interceptions to go together with 17 landing passes.
