The Cleveland Browns' acquisition of Deshaun Watson signaled the beginning of the end for Baker Mayfield as the team's franchise quarterback. However, Mayfield, who has been the subject of trade rumors, remains on the roster. With speculation that Watson could be subject to punishment by the NFL for his legal issues, many have thought that the Browns were reluctant to trade Mayfield in case they wind up empty-handed at the position in 2022.
It turns out that there are so many more moving parts preventing the two teams most interested in Mayfield, the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks, from acquiring him. This one Browns issue is holding back a Seahawks or Panthers trade, according to the latest rumors from Jeff Howe of The Athletic.
The Panthers and Seahawks have shown interest in acquiring Mayfield, but the Browns haven’t been willing to absorb enough of his fully guaranteed $18.858 million salary.
Per the latest Browns rumors from Howe, the Seahawks and Panthers have expressed interest in a Mayfield trade, though Cleveland hasn't been willing to eat enough of the quarterback's $18.8 million salary for the two teams' liking.
As Howe outlines, the Browns don't have much in the way of leverage, as they could be forced to absorb nearly all of that contract. Cleveland is also attempting to force the Panthers and Seahawks' hands by “daring” them to enter the season with the likes of Sam Darnold, Matt Corral, Drew Lock and Geno Smith at the quarterback spot, respectively.
Finally, Mayfield, who is still rehabbing his left shoulder from offseason surgery, isn't able to practice anyway, deterring teams from pulling the trigger on a trade.
While there's a lot of moving parts, a Mayfield trade seemingly won't occur until the Browns take on more of his salary as part of the deal.
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