CLEVELAND — The Carolina Panthers announced Wednesday afternoon the team traded for Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield who moves away after a rocky end to his time in Cleveland.
👨🍳👨🍳👨🍳 pic.twitter.com/5QOX4FKwJg
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) July 6, 2022
The Browns traded their 2018 first-overall pick to the Panthers for a conditional 2024 fifth-round pick. The deal is pending a completed physical.
Spectrum News partner The Charlotte Observer reported the teams ended up splitting that figure in three parts. The Browns will pay $10.5 million, Carolina will take on around $5 million and Mayfield will trim $3.5 million off his base salary, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. The quarterback can make up his trimmed salary in incentives, Garafolo said.
Mayfield was looking for a new team since the Browns traded for Deshaun Watson in March. Watson recently had a hearing with the NFL that could result in his suspension from play. He was accused of sexually assaulting 24 women, of which he settled 20 civil suits against him.
Mayfield reportedly wanted traded before the Browns completed the Watson trade and said he and the Browns remained ready to part ways even when the NFL hinted at an indefinite suspension against Watson.
The Browns excused Mayfield from the Browns’ minicamp and did not take part. He’ll join the Panthers for training camp, which begins July 27 in Spartanburg, S.C.
Bake at 7️⃣0⃣4⃣ pic.twitter.com/eIAZFj49ns
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) July 6, 2022
Mayfield joins Sam Darnold, PJ Walker and 2022 third-round pick rookie Matt Corral on the Panthers’ depth chart.
The Panthers host Cleveland during Week 1 of the 2022 NFL seaon.
If Watson does get suspended, the Browns will look at Jacoby Brissett to line up under center.
Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam referenced Mayfield's work in the community when commenting on the trade.
"We want to thank Baker for all his contributions to the Cleveland Browns" the Haslams said in a statement. "From the moment he was drafted, he gave his all for this organization and this city. With his fierce competitive spirit, he excited the fanbase and accomplished things that no player at his position had done in Cleveland for a very long time. He also made a difference in the community, whether it was hosting events at the Boys and Girls Club, honoring our troops, supporting the Special Olympics as well as countless other charitable endeavors. We are grateful for everything he did for this organization and wish him and Emily well in the future."
Browns General Manager Andrew Berry said Mayfield will have "a unique place in Browns history" in a statement.
"Baker Mayfield infused our organization with tenacity and grit during his time as our starting quarterback," he said. "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."