Baker Mayfield contract: How much did Panthers QB earn in salary at Carolina?

Baker Mayfield was brought in by the Carolina Panthers this offseason. He was intended to bring the stability they've been needing since the release of Cam Newton. Unfortunately, the former Cleveland Browns starter wasn't successful in this endeavor. However, it wasn't an altogether expensive mistake for the Panthers. In total, Mayfield's salary was cut to accommodate the cap situation in Carolina.

His contract, which is in its final year, was worth about $18 million. When he was traded, the Browns paid $9.5 million and he shaved $3.5 million off. In total, the Panthers paid their offseason acquisition $5 million, which was guaranteed.

That last note is important because Baker Mayfield has been released by the Carolina Panthers. Mayfeld requested his release after being benched for multiple quarterbacks this season. It has not been disclosed if this was the reason why he requested his release.

He first lost the starting job to pre-season fourth string backup P.J. Walker. Walker played well but the original starter was given another chance when Walker got injured. That didn't go very well and Sam Darnold was the starting QB for the Panthers a week later.

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Why did Baker Mayfield get cut?

Other than requesting his release, Baker Mayfield did not have a good season in Carolina. This is likely why the Panthers were happy to let him go. In what will be his final appearance for the Panthers, Mayfield struggled mightily against the Baltimore Ravens. He finished 21 of 33 passing with 196 yards and two interceptions in a 13-3 loss.

Baker Mayfield (l) and Sam Darnold (r)

Sam Darnold assumed the starting role and led the Panthers to a 23-10 win over the Denver Broncos. He looked good, and Walker looked good in spurts during his time as the starter. All that foretold the end of a brief era in Carolina, something Mayfield seems to have appreciated himself.

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What's next for Baker Mayfield?

The timing of this release could not be more opportune for the former Panthers and Browns quarterback. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who was starting for the injured Trey Lance, broke his foot on Sunday and is out for the year.

The 49ers are 8-4 and have a good shot at winning a Super Bowl, but they're now on third-string and 2022's 'Mr. Irrelevant' Brock Purdy at quarterback. With the former starter now available, it would be a surprise if the 49ers didn't claim Mayfield and try to get him back to form.