The Panthers agree to trade for Baker Mayfield

Charlotte – The Panthers have been talking about the quarterback for years, insisting they will keep swinging until they swing properly.

They took another one on Wednesday, adding quarterback Baker Mayfield in a deal with Browns for a conditional fifth round in 2024. The deal is on hold.

Mayfield gives the Panthers’ List some immediate credibility, with Posteason’s credentials that the current depth chart lacks.

Originally the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the 27-year-old Mayfield led the Browns to the playoffs after the 2020 season.

He threw 3,563 yards, with just 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions that year, and was part of the franchise’s first post-season debut since 2002 and a first post-season win since 1994.

Injuries hampered him last season, his numbers plummeted, and Brown made him inconsolable by trading with Deshaun Watson this season.

Mayfield 29-30 all-time as a starter, and would become the fourth former Heisman Cup winner to play for the Panthers, alongside quarterback Vinny Testaverdi, Chris Wink, and Cam Newton.

The midfielder with more than one track record has a clear appeal to the Panthers, who have put many other pieces in their place. Drafting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu in the first round was the most important part of a turnaround in the standoff against the Panthers, along with signing guard Austin Corbett and quarterback Bradley Bozeman.

Mayfield joins Sam Darnold, PJ Walker and rookie Matt Corral on the depth chart. The coaches have said throughout the holiday that if they had to play a game now, Darnold would start, but this deal obviously changes that, as it creates a competitive situation in the training camp.

Regardless of the circumstances of his departure from Cleveland, Mayfield has shown that he can lead a team to the playoffs. That made it worth the chance for the Panthers, to see if they could return to the post-season for the first time since 2017.