When the Carolina Newspaper agreed in July to submit a 2024 conditional draft to Cleveland Browns for midfielders Mayfield baker1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, which they hope will revive his career.
The revival didn’t happen, and it wasn’t even close yet.
Mayfield had a 1-5 lead at the start and was on target for a career low in every major statistical category, including a 16.8 QBR Total, which placed last in the league. That leads to his release on mondaywith the Panthers (4-8) set to go along Sam Darnold and PJ Walker as their top midfielder for the rest of the season.
Mayfield has asked for an immunity, but he will likely be released soon anyway. Time can be good with San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Crows maybe in the market for a veteran midfielder after Sunday, when the 49ers lost Jimmy Garoppolo (broken left leg) for the rest of the season and Raven may be absent lamar Jackson (left knee) in a period of time.
As for the Panthers, all he came out with was securing a conditional pick from Cleveland which would be the fifth-round man instead of the fourth-round man, as Mayfield didn’t play 70% of the catches during the season. this award.
It also ensured that they were still looking for their franchise quarterback.
ESPN looked at some of the remaining questions surrounding Mayfield:
Why didn’t it work out for Mayfield in Carolina?
He didn’t win. It’s that simple.
You could argue that the Panthers haven’t played to Mayfield’s strengths like the Browns did in 2011 when they committed to playing the running game to take the pressure off the quarterback. That kind of commitment didn’t happen until interim coach Steve Wilks replaced head coach Matt Rhule, who was sacked following a 4-1 loss to Mayfield.
But even with Mayfield’s commitment to run in the only game under Wilks, the midfielder was unresponsive. He was 21 out of 33 with 196 yards and two interceptions in the 13-3 loss to Baltimore. That sealed his fate, if it hadn’t been sealed before. Management may have known at the time that Mayfield would not be in their long-term plans. Darnold still had a chance, so they cut the bait and left Mayfield. –David Newton
Why did the Panthers release him now?
The timing had long been planned when it became clear that Walker (ankle) was ready to return from a sprained ankle as a substitute for Darnold. That could keep Mayfield out of action for the rest of the season, and that doesn’t happen to either side. Mayfield’s request for his release doesn’t really change things, but it does keep him ready in case the 49ers, Ravens or another team need the midfielder’s help wanting to bet on him in the meantime. long time.
The Panthers agreed to pay $4.858 million of Mayfield’s $18.8 2022 salary when they exchanged it for him. Mayfield agreed to take a $3.5 million cut in the remainder of his pay with contract incentives to earn that money back. He’s never been close to getting there, and he’ll be a free agent throughout the season. –David Newton
Is the wound exhausted? San Francisco 49ers consider signing Mayfield?
Given that the Niners have dropped to their number 3 midfield – seventh pick Brock Purdy – after a season-end injury Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, they must consider every available option. That includes Mayfield. Regardless, Purdy will be the one to start moving forward, but the Niners must determine if Mayfield is suitable as a backup.
San Francisco has been added Josh Johnsonat least in part because he’s been accustomed to offense from his time with the team in 2020. Mayfield played in a version of coach Kyle Shanahan with the offense Cleveland BrownsBut will he be able to catch up with enough information to be an upgrade over Johnson in the near future?
There are also matching dressing rooms to consider. Mayfield didn’t really love the main Niners, including the defensive ending Nick Bosawho has some bad blood with Mayfield date back to college. It is also not entirely within the Niners’ control, as they are 24th in the order of exemptions and other midfield-needing teams are ahead of them. Maybe one of those teams could consider asking for Mayfield, which could create a domino effect that makes another midfielder available the Niners might want. –Nick Wagoner
Is there a market for Mayfield other than the 49ers now or in the off-season?
Mayfield’s market isn’t really hot. His time in Carolina is supposed to re-establish his career as a springboard to free agency this season, but that could affect his case due to the accuracy issues (career low 57.8% completion rate in 2022).
The teams I spoke to said his days as an NFL starter could be numbered. But some teams can start all over again in midfield, including Saint New Orleans, Commander Washington, Houston Texas, Indianapolis University, New York Jets and New York Giants. There will be jobs. But he’s low on the free agent’s pecking order.
lamar Jackson, brave catGaroppolo, Geno Smith and Daniel Jones tops the upcoming free reseller class, followed by solid backups like Bridgewater Cotton and Jacoby Brissett. Supply and demand will hurt your case. — Jeremy Fowler
What are the Panthers midfield options in 2023?
Draft.
They might be looking at a top 10 pick, maybe a top five pick and this is a strong midfield class.
General manager Scott Fitterer said the best way to ensure long-term stability in midfield, especially from a financial perspective, is through the draft. And they still have last year’s third-round pick, Matt Corralwho spent his rookie season for IR with a Lisfranc injury to his left foot.
Having said that, the Panthers could bring Darnold back as a bridge midfielder as they develop a draft and/or Corral pick, if he agrees to back up the money. They might as well include Walker in those plans.
But that’s clearly not a long-term fix for the problem that has plagued this team since Cam Newton began suffering injury problems midway through the 2018 season. –David Newton
