The news that the Cleveland Browns are meeting with Deshaun Watson ahead of the 2022 league year has left Baker Mayfield’s future very much up in the air. If Watson does arrive in Cleveland, Mayfield will almost certainly be on his way out. Let’s take a look at some potential trade destinations for Mayfield if the Browns add Watson.
Baker Mayfield trade partners if Browns add Deshaun Watson
Mayfield is in a precarious position right now. Entering 2022, Mayfield is set to play on his fifth-year option, with his next contract less than certain. The intriguing part for the Browns is that trading Mayfield away would potentially cost them nothing. His entire $18.9 million cap number is comprised of his fully guaranteed base salary. However, the Browns could also facilitate a trade by eating some of that cap, paying it as a signing bonus to Mayfield on the way out of the door.
With the QB market around the NFL shrinking as we head towards the new league year, which teams could be in the market to add Mayfield?
Houston Texans
Could we see Mayfield included as part of the compensation in any trade for Watson? We saw that happen recently in the Russell Wilson deal, where Drew Lock went the other way. That would certainly help offset any salary issues for the Browns in taking on Watson while still having Mayfield on their roster. The question is whether the Texans would even want Mayfield. If they are determined to see what they have in Davis Mills, adding Mayfield just delays that process.
Additional concerns will come in the form of how that impacts the draft capital included in the trade package. Will the Texans want fewer draft picks for taking on Mayfield or more? Will the Browns want to give up more to ship their QB away as well as bring one in? A recent report from Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com indicated Mayfield would not be part of the Browns offer, but could still be on the move regardless of whether Cleveland adds Watson.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks just moved on from their franchise QB in Wilson. They took back Lock in the trade, but they are not committed to him long-term. Therefore, if Mayfield was to become available, would the Seahawks consider him as a potential upgrade over Lock this year and for the long haul?
The Seahawks certainly have the cap space to be able to take on $18 million in salary this year. Seattle could likely also add to its increasing haul of draft picks in order to take on that salary from the Browns. Therefore, this could be a win-win type of deal for the Seahawks. They get another look at a potential franchise QB, while also getting “paid” to take on his salary for 2022.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are another team that just moved on from their QB when they traded away Carson Wentz. Therefore, with a roster that is solid and nearly made the NFL playoffs last year, they may jump at the chance to get Mayfield on the roster. They are flush with cap space and if they feel Mayfield can be an upgrade over Wentz, they may view him as an option for a playoff push.
If the Browns acquire Watson, they will likely need to get Mayfield off the books fairly soon. Therefore, the Colts could get a good value in any trade. Where this could get sticky is if the Texans do not like the idea of the Colts getting a QB like Mayfield if they send Watson to Cleveland. After the Texans refused the Colts’ attempt to talk to Watson, just maybe they will make life difficult for their division rivals here as well.
Carolina Panthers
Another team in the Watson sweepstakes is the Panthers. However, if they missed on Watson, it would seem like a lateral step for the Panthers to trade for Mayfield. They are still paying Sam Darnold his fifth-year option in 2022. While it would be entertaining to see two top three selections from the 2018 NFL Draft battling for a starting role, it seems unlikely.
The Panthers would then be paying $37.7 million to see a QB competition. If it ultimately leads them to their QB of the future it may be worth it. However, the upgrade from Darnold to Watson is far more clear than Darnold to Mayfield. If they have missed on Watson, a move for Mayfield would seem more like a panic decision than a smart rational move.