Baker Mayfield is to be released by the Carolina Panthers according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
Mayfield was only acquired in a trade this off-season, but has won just one game as quarterback for the Panthers. Mayfield started the first five games of the season, but was then benched for P.J Walker.
Four touchdowns and four interceptions occurred in those five games, and now the quarterback will be released by the franchise. But any team looking to claim Mayfield on waivers would have to take on the remaining $1,349,444 (£1.1m) guaranteed on his contract.
The news comes when San Francisco 49ers may be looking to pick up a new quarterback, but it is thought that they are low down on the priority list, 24th to be exact. Trey Lance was ruled out for the 49ers after just two games, and Jimmy Garoppolo broke his foot on Sunday.
Although he was traded in with a lot of anticipation, Mayfield slipped to third-choice at the Panthers behind Walker and Sam Darnold. Mayfield must now go through waivers, although with a high salary outstanding, it could be a big gamble for any team.
Although questioned by some at the time, it has proved to be a good decision by the Browns to trade him at the end of last season, and a mistake from the Panthers. However, although not thought to be a priority, teams may be interested in Mayfield just to ensure that the 49ers don't get the opportunity.
For example, the Seattle Seahawks are ahead of the 49ers in the waiving order, and with the NFC West becoming increasingly competitive, they may look to thwart their rivals. But they're also far down the pecking order, with the Houston Texans, Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos at the top.
Of course, if no one decides to take Mayfield and commit the remainder of his guaranteed salary this season, then he will become an unrestricted free agent And at that point, it could be a bidding war for the quarterback.
It was only in 2017 that Mayfield was winning all the awards, as he impressed with Oklahoma before heading into his debut NFL season. And even as recently as 2020 he played and won his first post-season match with the Browns. Mayfield will now be heading somewhere else, as it's been a non-starter with the Panthers.
