The Carolina Panthers released their 27-year-old quarterback. After trading Baker Mayfield five months ago, Carolina made the announcement that they had cast him on Monday. The other major story involved Jimmy G, the 49ers’ starting quarterback, getting hurt while playing against the Dolphins. He cannot play this season as a result. San Francisco requires a shot-caller. And which QB did a team recently release? Yes, Mayfield. However, the 49ers’ head coach was questioned about the idea. And he was very frank about the prospect in his thoughts.
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Many anticipated the move because the interim coach, Steve Wilks, put PJ Walker ahead of him on the depth chart. Additionally, the Panthers sent their conditional 2024 fifth-round pick for the veteran QB to the Cleveland Browns. The fifth-round pick might have been upgraded to a fourth-round pick. However, with his release, that is not possible.
Also, Shanahan put an end to any possibility of the first-round pick going to the San Francisco 49ers.
Former Panthers QB Baker Mayfield is expected to be claimed on waivers today. The team that claims him will inherit the remaining $1.35 million on his contract. Mayfield is unlikely to land in SF. “We look into everything but that would surprise me right now,” said Kyle Shanahan.
“We look into everything,” Shanahan said. “But that would surprise me right now, and we’ve got to discuss it this afternoon and stuff. I’ve always been a fan of his, but I feel real good about our players.”
When San Francisco lost their starting QB because of an injury, many thought the team would make efforts to bring Mayfield on their roster. For now, instead of Jimmy Garoppolo, the 22-year-old Brock Purdy ran the offense in the team’s win against the Miami Dolphins. Also, the team is at No. 24 on the waiver wire priority list. Therefore, other teams will have enough time to make the QB theirs, if they want to.
What are the other potential options for Baker Mayfield?
The 2022 season started peculiarly for the Heisman Trophy winner. He went from being the franchise QB of the Browns and almost signing a new deal to getting waived.
He could have shown his legitimacy with the Panthers. However, nothing went as he or the team planned. A high ankle sprain in Week 5 flooded all the hopes he probably had. The team removed him from the starting lineup. Mayfield started six games and was 1-5.
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 15: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns gets ready to run onto the field prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
In the six games he took part in, he completed 57.8 percent of his throws for 1,313 yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions.
Sam Darnold will replace the former QB, and Walker will become his backup.
Baker Mayfield will be a $1,349,445 waiver claim (5/18ths of fully guaranteed $4.858M Panthers base salary) for SF or other any team. Waiver priority is inverse order of current won-loss record, so Texans have 1st dibs.
Sources: The #Panthers are expected to release QB Baker Mayfield. He'll hit waivers when it's finalized later today.
According to a CBS Sports report, Mayfield is $1,349,445 in the waiver claim. Therefore, Houston Texans can claim him and use his services. Even though the HC of the 49ers made his opinions clear, it will be interesting how the cards play out for the once young and talented QB.
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