Panthers not expected to trade for Mayfield before NFL Draft

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield continues to wait for something to happen in his offseason odyssey. Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Panthers not expected to trade for Browns QB Baker Mayfield before first round of NFL Draft

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 4/25/22

The 2022 NFL Draft is three days away and many eyes continue to be peeled on Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. One of the handful of teams that have been rumored to be in the running to trade for the former No. 1 overall pick recently has been the Carolina Panthers, but according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the likelihood of that occurring appears to be dwindling.

The #Panthers are not expected to trade for #Browns QB Baker Mayfield prior to the first round of the NFL Draft, sources say, if they do it at all. Thursday has to play out first, before any other options are considered. Carolina picks No. 6.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 25, 2022

It was reported last week that the Browns were "highly motivated" to move Mayfield "before or around draft time." The former Heisman trophy winner is owed $18.858 million of fully guaranteed salary for the 2022 NFL season.

Unsurprisingly, Mayfield wasn't among those members of the Browns to report to the beginning of the team's voluntary offseason workouts last week. Meanwhile, recently acquired controversial quarterback Deshaun Watson was at Cleveland's team facility, despite still facing 22 civil lawsuits regarding allegations of sexual misconduct.

Mayfield is still recovering from the January surgery he needed to repair his injured non-throwing shoulder and is waiting to see if he'll be traded, released or play with the only NFL franchise he's known in 2022. Aside from the Panthers, Mayfield has repeatedly been linked with the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers.

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