Panthers GM Scott Fitterer: 'A lot of people really went to bat' for QB Baker Mayfield

Before the Cleveland Browns traded for star quarterback Deshaun Watson in March, a report surfaced claiming that the franchise wanted "an adult" to replace former starter and 2018 first overall draft pick Baker Mayfield atop the depth chart. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam later denied that story, and Cleveland ultimately agreed to trade Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers last week. 

The Panthers officially introduced Mayfield as one of their own during a Tuesday press event. As Josh Alper noted for Pro Football Talk, Carolina general manager Scott Fitterer made it clear the club did its homework and heard positive things about the 27-year-old. 

"A lot of people really went to bat for Baker," Fitterer explained during his comments. "I think there are a lot of circumstances with why things happen … But we’re very comfortable with Baker. We’re excited to add him to the room and look forward to working with him." 

Whatever Haslam and company actually thought about Mayfield both as a player and as a person is now irrelevant, as everyone involved has moved on from what became a failed marriage. As for Mayfield's immediate future, Fitterer insisted the signal-caller and fellow veteran Sam Darnold will participate in an "open competition" for the starting job during training camp and the preseason.