The Panthers are in the market for a quarterback, but it may not be Baker Mayfield or bust.

Mayfield, according to The Athletic’s Joe Person, is “not the only guy on the list,” but his $18.8 million salary is an issue, and the Browns would need to take on some of the money if they trade him to the Panthers.

Carolina was named by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Friday as the “most likely spot” for Mayfield to land, though receiver Robby Anderson seemed to indicate he didn’t want the former No. 1 pick there. After a season in which their QB room was a mess, though, upgrading the position is a high priority for Carolina.

Mayfield, 27, also wants out of Cleveland, which now has Deshaun Watson as its quarterback following a blockbuster deal with the Texans. Though the Browns could keep Mayfield in case Watson is suspended over allegations of sexual misconduct, both sides seem ready to move on.

Mayfield requested a trade even before Cleveland acquired Watson, and the 2021 season was a nadir for his time with the Browns as he struggled and the team went 8-9, missing the playoffs.

Other than Mayfield, potential options for Carolina are thin. They’d likely need to make some kind of trade, draft an unproven commodity or roll with Sam Darnold again.
That’s not an ideal scenario, particularly with Mayfield’s massive cap hit complicating a potential trade, but the Panthers will have to find a way to deal with it.