How do the trades of Carson Wentz and Baker Mayfield compare?
Mayfield, the first overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, was traded Wednesday from the Cleveland Browns to the Carolina Panthers. The two teams agreed to the deal, sending Mayfield in exchange for a conditional fifth-round selection in the 2024 draft. The selection can become a fourth-round choice.
More particulars needed to be agreed upon before the deal was finalized. Mayfield’s upcoming salary for the 2022 season stipulates the former Oklahoma Sooner and 2017 Heisman Trophy winner is to be paid $18.858 million.
The Panthers were not going to take on all of Mayfield’s 2022 salary. Consequently, the Browns agreed to continue to compensate their former four-year starter $10.5 million this upcoming season. Included in the negotiations were Mayfield agreeing to take a pay cut. He consented and thus will make $3.5 million less this season. The remaining $5 million owed to Mayfield will be paid by the Panthers.
The Browns received quarterback Deshaun Watson and a sixth-round choice from the Houston Texans, March 18, when the Browns sent first-round picks (2022, 2023, 2024), a third-round pick in 2023 and fourth-round picks (2022, 2024). The trade for Watson essentially lowered the value for Mayfield, as NFL teams could wait-out the Browns lowering the amount they would need to offer in a trade for Mayfield.
The Panthers now will have a quarterback competition between Mayfield and Sam Darnold, with rookie Matt Corral also on the roster, hoping to break into the lineup as soon as he can.
Meanwhile, Washington obtained quarterback Carson Wentz, March 16 when they agreed to a deal with the Indianapolis Colts. Wentz the Colts’ 2021 starter was sent to Washington along with a 2022 seventh-round choice (#240) Christian Holmes. Washington in turn sent a third-round 2022 draft pick (Jelani Woods) and a third-round 2023 pick which can actually become a second-round pick if Wentz takes 70% of Washington’s snaps this season.
Colts GM Chris Ballard was not yet quite finished. He then convinced the Washington brass that the Colts needed to swap up from #47 overall to #42 with Washington. He also then was unrelenting regarding Washington needing to pick up all of Wentz’ salary for the next three seasons.
So, which of the deals do you like best?
Would you rather have traded for one year of Baker Mayfield or three seasons of Carson Wentz?
Would you rather pay Mayfield for one season at $5 million or for Wentz and three years of his contract totaling $28 million, $26 million and $27 million?
Perhaps if Wentz can deliver a winning season for the Commanders, Washington fans will be glad to have him for the remaining two years. Washington head coach Ron Rivera heading into this third season, after two 7-win seasons, certainly is needing Wentz to have a big year for the Commanders.
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