Baker Mayfield had lived here before.
About a decade ago, Quarterback ruled out the possibility of resetting his college career after moving from Texas Tech to Oklahoma.
Now, he has an equal chance in the NFL.
On Wednesday, the Carolina Panthers acquired Mayfield from the Cleveland Browns after months of trade negotiations. According to several sources, Mayfield extended the wheel to complete the trade by filling the money gap, agreeing to pay $ 3.5 million out of its $ 19 million full guarantor agreement for the 2022 season, with incentive money to be refunded through performance, according to multiple sources. Brown will spend 10.5 million on the deal, while the Panthers will pay $ 4.85 million. In return, Carolina will return to the 2024 fifth-round pick, if Mayfield wins early work and plays at least 12 games for the Panthers this season, he will be turned into a fourth-rounder.
To do so, he should beat current Carolina current Sam Darnold by picking No. 3 in the 2018 draft. After first selecting Mayfield, the New York Jets earned two places for Darnold.
After Brown’s disappointing tenure in the 2021 injury-plagued, drama-filled final season, it looks like Mayfield is getting back some of the promises he made in 2020, when he became the first Brown quarterback in 26 years. Winning the playoff game.
Then came the prospect against Mayfield nine years ago.
In 2013, Mayfield became the first walk-on true freshman in college football history to launch a season opener for the Power 5 program. Not only that, but he made an impressive 5-0 start to the early and quarterback Texas Tech. But then his knee hurt. When Mayfield returned late in the season, coach Cliff Kingsbury kept the quarterback competition open.
At the end of the season, Mayfield and Texas Tech wanted to borrow the phrase Mayfield used last week to describe the state of his relationship with the Browns, “ready to move on from both sides.” Kingsbury, meanwhile, received a verbal commitment from White House, Texas hotshot quarterback recruit Patrick Mahoms.
Mayfield went in search of a new opportunity. And although he has been named the Big 12 co-offensive newcomer of the year, his options are limited. Houston Cougars coach Tony Levine also called ESPN directly to deny rumors of his interest (which Mayfield had floated).
With a few options, Mayfield has a shot for the Stars. He registered in Oklahoma, for which he grew up in Austin, Texas. He had no invitations or scholarships. And Bob Stupp, the Sooners’ head coach, didn’t know Norman was in Mayfield as soon as he moved to the new hostel.
Weeks later, Mayfield received a scholarship. A year later, he defeated existing Trevor Knight to win his first job in Oklahoma. And at the end of his illustrious college career, Mayfield became the first former walk-on to win the Heisman Trophy and the Suns won three Big 12 Championships and two playoff matches.
The NFL is of course not college football. And there’s nothing to suggest that the Mayfield Pro Bowl in the league will pass in four years.
Yes, the constant turmoil in Cleveland – four different head coaches in four years – has not helped Mayfield’s growth. He also died in Cleveland last season after playing with a torn labrum (not throwing) on his left shoulder. But Carolina was the only team to show interest in the trade for Mayfield, even picking 3 draft picks a day.
Mayfield could never be a star quarterback in the NFL. Then again, he’s been here before. Rotate off – There is still a chance to reset his career to be successful as an early quarterback.
Mayfield overcame difficulties first. Maybe, maybe, he could do it again in Carolina.