Did the former No. 1 draft pick in Carolina
After being benched twice since signing at Carolina, Baker Mayfield is finally free. With PJ Walker climbing up the ranks, Sam Darnold returning to the active roster, and Matt Corral recruited this year, the Panthers have decided to place the veteran on the waiver according to NFL Network.
The decision comes late in the season, but could trigger moves in the league. San Francisco just lost Jimmy Garoppolo, and the Californians might want to sign Mayfield to replace the inexperienced Brock Purdy. But if no one were to claim him, he would become an unrestricted free agent.
At 27, the former first overall pick of the 2018 draft is playing the fifth optional year of his rookie contract. Cleveland had exercised the option, before trading it to Carolina for a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick to get Deshaun Watson. The two clubs had agreed to share his salary burden this year.
In 2022 Mayfield played seven games for the Panthers. He returned a record of 1313 yards thrown for 6 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, with a rate of 57.8% of successful passes.
