The Carolina Panthers acquired Baker Mayfield from the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday. Cleveland got a 5th round pick in return for the quarterback, per Ian Rapoport. There has been speculation about a Mayfield trade for months. That speculation turned to expectancy when he requested a trade out of Cleveland after the Browns acquired Deshaun Watson. The NFL world reacted to the Baker Mayfield trade after the deal was announced.
The Athletic's Ted Nguyen shared an interesting and sarcastic response.
Panthers don’t believe in Sam Darnold, don’t think Carroll is ready to start, and Ben MacAdoo doesn’t believe in Baker Mayfield. Sounds like a recipe for success.
(Nguyen meant Matt Corral, not Carroll)
Here are some of the other best responses from the day.
Robby Anderson after seeing his QB is either Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield https://t.co/eH9clyP0oF
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 6, 2022
Bake at 7️⃣0⃣4⃣ pic.twitter.com/eIAZFj49ns
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) July 6, 2022
Panthers front office looking at Baker Mayfield pic.twitter.com/O2dJTUWrZb
— Fanatics Sportsbook (@FanaticsBook) July 6, 2022
Baker Mayfield is suddenly now 10-1 to win comeback player of the year per Caesars Sportsbook @ESPNStatsInfo
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) July 6, 2022
the Panthers really traded away…
2nd
3rd
4th
4th
5th
6thall to assemble a QB room of:
Sam Darnold
Baker Mayfield
Matt Corral— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) July 6, 2022
Ian Rapoport later shared what the deal means for the Browns moving forward.
After months of speculation and months of work for all parties, Baker Mayfield is now a Panther. And Jacoby Brissett is now the #Browns solution for a Deshaun Watson absence.
Many are now wondering who will start in Carolina for the Panthers. Baker Mayfield is the presumed starter following this trade. However, a case can certainly be made for Sam Darnold, who has more experience running Carolina's offense. Meanwhile, one could even argue for young Matt Corral.
Baker Mayfield will have a chance for revenge against the Browns if he starts Week 1. Cleveland and Carolina are scheduled for a regular season head-to-head matchup to open the 2022 campaign.
For now, Mayfield will focus on gearing up for the season with his new team.