Howard Katz, the man in charge of the NFL scheduling, knows something we all think might happen – why else would he have the Carolina Panthers hosting the Cleveland Browns in Week 1? Does Katz visualize this game as a revenge game for former Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield who might be wearing Carolina blue by kickoff? Probably. And Katz has every reason to believe it will play out that way.
Mayfield and the Panthers needs to happen, for many reasons, the first being they need each other. It’s much like a sign that was the on the side of the road at a run-down restaurant leaving Barstow, California, heading towards Las Vegas, reading, “Eat here, or we both starve.” The Panthers need a short-term fix, someone who might bridge them to their next quarterback and still keep the team respectable — which Mayfield has proven he can accomplish. If the Browns and Panthers don’t work something out, they both might starve, because who else is taking Mayfield and offering him a chance to be the starter? That’s the key part of the equation: Mayfield having a chance to start. The $18-plus million owed to Mayfield is also important, but that’s guaranteed and being paid regardless. It all comes down to opportunity to re-start Mayfield’s career and standing on the sideline won’t help.
The Panthers want Mayfield. They, like other NFL teams don’t have the room to absorb the big contract, which cannot be lowered unless Mayfield signs an extension — and that extension would have to be a real deal or why else would Mayfield give away his best negotiating chip? The Browns have been refusing to pay any of the $18 million, telling teams they have to take on the contract, which is comical. When they traded for Deshaun Watson, the first week after the trade when no callers were offering a deal or having any interest of giving them a Day 2 pick (second of third round) — which the Browns wanted and asked for — they were left carrying the coin. There is no team coming to their rescue.
You might say, Mayfield is in place as insurance against any long-term suspension coming for Watson; this makes sense practically, not in reality. The quarterback position isn’t a hockey line, constantly shifting and moving players in and out. All teams gain their identity, toughness and leadership from the quarterback, and there can never be a debate of who’s in control. Jacoby Brissett was signed by Cleveland to fill that role. He can lead, understands his role and can carry the mail until Watson were to return, if suspended. The Browns clearly understand the quarterback dynamic, which is why they signed Brissett, so holding onto Mayfield makes less sense each day.