It sounds like interest in former Browns QB Baker Mayfield is finally ramping up, per NFL Insider Matt Lombardo.
The #Seahawks are “very much” in the mix to trade for Baker Mayfield, an #NFL executive tells me.
More on Mayfield’s potentially rising market as the #NFLDraft approaches: https://t.co/JF8uE3ADhh
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) April 18, 2022
It’s been over a month since the Deshaun Watson trade brought the Texans’ signal-caller to Cleveland.
The move came with the understood expectation that Mayfield’s time as the Browns’ starting QB was over.
In response, Mayfield has made it clear he wants out and has no plans of returning to the team this season for offseason workouts.
The Seahawks, the team linked to Mayfield by Lombardo, are in a slightly different situation from the Browns.
Earlier this offseason, the team traded longtime starter Russell Wilson to Denver in a deal that brought Drew Lock to Seattle.
And as evidenced in his time with the Broncos, Drew Lock is likely not a long-term answer at QB.
The move came about a year after Wilson’s agent leaked a list of team’s the Seattle signal caller would play for.
With the NFL draft less than a week away, expect the trade-rumor mill to heat up.
It’s the time of year where teams eager to move up (or down) start assessing who might be available to make a deal happen.
The Browns, for instance, do not have a first-rounder in this year’s draft.
They sent the pick to the Texans in the Watson deal.
But at this rate, it’s unlikely Mayfield will net the Browns a first-rounder, even though they spent the number one overall pick on him back in 2018.
And, given how long Mayfield’s been on the market, each day without news means his value probably slips a bit more.
Fan Reaction
Fans across the country were quick to jump into the fray.
Reaction was . . . mixed.
Some were instantly in love with the idea.
todays a great day for the Browns to trade Baker Mayfield to the Seahawks
— that blonde from nashville 🤠 (@thehaileemurphy) April 22, 2022
I’m 100% convinced Baker Mayfield is a good idea for the Seahawks. He can help us win, and if he doesn’t, we won’t be signed next year.
Browns will take on a lot of the money. Why not give it a go?? pic.twitter.com/VMmuEAARXF
— Sami Jarjour (@SamiOnTap) April 23, 2022
If the @Seahawks trade for @bakermayfield he will be the 2nd best QB in the division.
— Jeff Blundell (@JeffBlundell_TV) April 23, 2022
@BernieFratto I would be ecstatic if the Seahawks pick up Baker Mayfield. I believe that the change of scenery, and coming to a winning culture will revive his career.
— Craig S. C. Okajima (@ClaxtonOkajima) April 24, 2022
Some, not so much.
The Seahawks QB situation is simple:
Bench Drew Lock.
Avoid Baker Mayfield.
Draft Malik Willis.
WIN.
— Jason Truitt (@TruittJasonNFL) April 17, 2022
Is Baker Mayfield that much better than Drew Lock? #seahawks
— David Neil (@NewLevel_Neil) April 20, 2022
And some loved it, but not for the Seahawks.
I need the Seahawks to do Carolina a solid and trade for Baker Mayfield so the Panthers can’t
— Prince Zuko (@Chrislaflare) April 18, 2022
You know it’s rough sledding when even the Panthers fans are getting into it.
Regardless, Mayfield would likely become the instant QB1 in Seattle.
He’s an experienced player who has led a team to the playoffs.
Plus, he could be a perfect stop-gap option this season, a year where the QB options in the draft are the weakest they’ve been in years.
Especially with an eye to next season, when Ohio State’s CJ Stroud or Alabama’s Bryce Love are expected to come out of college.
The Seahawks have three options:
First, take a chance on a rookie.
Second, pull off a trade for Mayfield (or another QB on the market, like Jimmy G).
Third, go forward with Drew Lock.
Each one is a roll of dice; but rolling with Mayfield might be the closest bet the team can make.
It’s possible this is all just noise, teams trying to gin up interest in a player to serve some ulterior motive.
But for the Seahawks and Mayfield, the move makes a lot of sense.
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