GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 25: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns participates in warmups prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 25, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Browns 24-22. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Browns finally found a Baker Mayfield trade to make work, dealing the quarterback to the Panthers in exchange for a draft pick.
After what’s felt like an eternity, the Cleveland Browns were finally able to get a Baker Mayfield trade done and, frankly, the destination is anything but surprising.
The Carolina Panthers had long been rumored as one of the most likely landing spots for Mayfield in a trade and, sure enough, the former No. 1 overall pick is heading to the Queen City.
As reported by Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, the Browns are acquiring a 2024 fifth-round pick from the Panthers in exchange for Mayfield.
Baker Mayfield trade details: Browns get fifth-round pick from Panthers
The details of the trade are quite simple with just the pick going to Cleveland for the unhappy quarterback, who finally gets out of town and a much-needed change of scenery.
Panthers Get
QB Baker Mayfield
Browns Get
2024 Fifth-Round Pick
However, NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo offered even more insight on the matter regarding what it took to get the trade done. Per his reporting, the Browns will pay $10.5 million of Mayfield’s salary this season (saving the club around $8 million) while the Panthers will be paying $5 million. Most shockingly, the quarterback took a $3.5 million pay cut for the season in order to just finally get out of Cleveland.
This type of deal was always going to be the eventual outcome for Baker Mayfield and the Browns. Cleveland burned the bridge with the quarterback and he wanted out. And the Panthers were a natural fit given their need for a stopgap at the position. For them to not take on too much salary and give up a future fifth-rounder also makes a ton of sense.
And if you’re looking for the reunion, Carolina and Cleveland face off in Week 1 of the 2022 season. So Mayfield won’t have long to wait to try and stick it to his former team.