Seahawks won’t bite on Baker Mayfield unless Browns eat more money

The Seahawks and the Panthers both apparently haven’t ruled out trading for Browns QB Baker Mayfield.

However, neither team will agree to a deal unless Cleveland is willing to eat a larger portion of Mayfield’s 2022 salary, according to a report by the Athletic.

Unless Deshaun Watson gets suspended for the entire season (a distinct possibility given the disgusting allegations still attached to him) he will be their starter this year and going forward.

It’s obvious that Mayfield is no longer in their long term plans, so no NFL team is in a hurry to do the Browns any favors after they put themselves in a corner by not dealing Mayfield before acquiring Watson.

The question may be who blinks first, because the other 30 teams seem set at QB and there very few other options remaining.

Jimmy Garoppolo makes a lot of sense for Carolina but his shoulder injury makes him difficult to trade. The Panthers also have rookie Matt Corral to try in case Sam Darnold faceplants again.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks did not draft a QB and at least outwardly appear content to roll with Geno Smith and Drew Lock this year. Then again, they wouldn’t be discussing Mayfield’s contract if they weren’t at least open to the idea.

Either way, the Browns are going to have to agree to pay a large portion of Mayfield’s fully guaranteed $18.58 million cap hit for 2022.

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