Could Baker Mayfield still end up with the Panthers? Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Panthers still doing 'due diligence' on Baker Mayfield

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 6/17/22

One day after Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule tried to give his latest semi-assurance that Sam Darnold would be his starting quarterback this fall, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reported that the team is still, at least monitoring Baker Mayfield's situation in Cleveland.

I’m told the #Panthers are still doing its due diligence in terms of looking into QB Baker Mayfield —the football player and the person, per league source.
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) June 17, 2022

The continued game of cat-and-mouse has been amplified in recent months since the Browns traded for controversial signal-caller Deshaun Watson and the Panthers traded up to draft Matt Corral. Mayfield has long since requested a trade from the team that drafted him first overall in 2018, but muddying the process has been potential suitors' desire for Cleveland to eat a large portion of his nearly $19 million salary.

Both teams wrapped up their mandatory minicamps this week, with Darnold in attendance in Carolina, but Mayfield being given an exemption from his participation.

The Browns and Panthers will play each other in Week 1 of the 2022 NFL regular season on Sept. 11.

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