It has been lengthy identified that Mayfield and the Browns had been not on good phrases.
What began as a promising relationship between participant and group turned bitter following the 2021 season.
Mayfield led the Browns to their first playoff win in over twenty years in 2020.
With key acquisitions and the return of many others, the sky was the restrict in 2021, however as we all know, issues change shortly within the NFL.
Mayfield suffered a shoulder harm early within the season and was by no means the identical.
Opting to play by way of the harm solely added gasoline to the hearth that despatched the Browns' season up in smoke.
Then got here passive-aggressive pictures between him and the teaching workers.
Between marginal play (by way of harm), an absence of locker room comradery, and a tarnishing relationship with the entrance workplace, it turned a not if, however when relating to the departure of Mayfield.
Many thought this deal would come a lot sooner, with the Panthers additionally trying so as to add a brand new quarterback.
The issue with this 12 months's draft class was that a lot of the signal-callers want time to develop, which the Carolina workers merely doesn't have.
Whereas they chose Matt Corral within the third spherical, the concept that their purchasing within the quarterback market was full quickly turned false.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reviews that Carolina acquired Mayfield for a 2024 fifth-round decide, together with an settlement to separate the financials relating to his contract.
The Browns are taking over .5 Million of his contract, which means the Panthers are solely required to pay Million of his 2022 wage.
Actually, a former first general decide and participant that has proven NFL starter capability is value such compensation.
It bears questioning simply how a lot the Browns might have wished Mayfield out, contemplating the scenario surrounding Deshaun Watson and the settlement they've reached.
Now's the time for the Matt Rhule period in Carolina to indicate up or be shipped out.
With a roster brimful of expertise at practically each place, Carolina believes they're only a quarterback away from rivalry.
Questions will come up relating to what occurs with Sam Darnold and what this implies for him.
With all indicators pointing to the truth that they've their man in Mayfield, we'll see if the workforce takes the following step of their arch. source