The Cleveland Browns have little, if any leverage against the Carolina Panthers in a potential trade of Baker Mayfield. But, they could get some help from out west.
According to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports, the Seattle Seahawks have maintained a high level of interest in the 27-year-old quarterback. In fact, they’re even reportedly open to extending Mayfield—who is on the last year of his rookie deal—beyond the 2022 campaign.
I’m told the #Seahawks still have a high-level of interest in acquiring QB Baker Mayfield and behind-the-scenes are open to contractually extending him, per league source. I also know that the process of collecting information and insights into Mayfield is still ongoing.
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) June 22, 2022
That rookie deal will pay out a fifth-year option of $18.8 million to the former No. 1 overall pick—which has been a bit of a hangup in talks with Carolina. The latest from MMQB senior editor Albert Breer on those conversations indicates that the Browns are willing to foot approximately half of that salary to complete the long-awaited swap.
Anderson’s report, however, may throw some power into Cleveland’s favor. If the Seahawks are indeed a legitimate contender for Mayfield’s services, then the Browns could take advantage of a possible competition between them and the Panthers.
