While the NFL quarterback carousel has been spinning at a sickeningly fast pace, one thing hasn’t changed – the Carolina Panthers still don’t have an answer under center. So could one of the quarterbacks who just got thrown off said carousel be an option?
Maybe . . . but not quite.
According to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, the Panthers had “preliminary talks with Cleveland Browns quarterback (and soon-to-be-sacked) Baker Mayfield. The Carolinas have apparently also joined in their reports of talks with the Seattle Seahawks – the only other team left with no clear answer to the position.
“According to a source, the Mayfield camp has held preliminary talks with the Seahawks and Panthers,” Howe wrote. “However, nothing seems inevitable at the moment.”
The former No. 1 overall became essentially dead weight for the Browns as they beat the field, including the Panthers, and acquired former Houston Texans quarterback Deshawn Watson. Oh, and they also guaranteed the battle star a league-record $230 million.
But going back to Baker, Howe’s details “doesn’t seem inevitable” might indicate that this is just another example of due diligence on Carolina’s part. Remember that general manager Scott Fitterer is “involved in every deal.”
In addition, new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo is documented to be skeptical of Mayfield. In an interview with the New York Post about the 2018 draft quarterback class, McAdoo ranked then current Heisman Trophy winner sixth out of six.
“He has an advantage, I like it. He will lead, they will follow,” McAdoo said to beat writer Paul Schwartz of Mayfield. “I didn’t see a lot of professional football in his student record. And if you’re short, you should be able to compensate in some way, and personality doesn’t.” I didn’t think he was a great athlete. This guy looks like a pocket defender, small in stature and with small hands, that’s what I’m worried about.
And McAdoo wasn’t entirely wrong, as Cleveland jumped at the opportunity to move from Mayfield after several seasons of mediocre play. It looks like the Browns will be lucky if they receive mediocre compensation for a disgruntled passer, and it is unlikely that the Panthers will receive it.