Why did the Panthers release Baker Mayfield? Carolina part ways with former Browns star after disappointing 2022 showing

The Baker Mayfield-era in Carolina is officially over. The Panthers are releasing the former number-one overall pick after trading for him on July 6th, 2022. The NFC franchise acquired him from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2024 conditional fifth-round draft pick. But as the season got going, the team quickly realized that the Mayfield dynasty was never going to take off in Carolina.

There's good reasoning behind their decision-making as well. The former Browns star played seven games for Carolina while starting six. He went 1-5 as the starter and never quite found his groove. He threw for six touchdowns, six interceptions, 1,313 yards and also rushed for a touchdown. He ended his tenure with Carolina, completing just 57.8 percent of passes with a passer rating of 78.1.

#Panthers release Baker Mayfield
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The key phrase there is "he ended," as Mayfield reportedly requested his release from the franchise. The Panthers obliged him and let him go.

Baker Mayfield requested to be released and the Panthers honored it this morning, team says.

The Panthers are expected to ride out the rest of the season with Sam Darnold and PJ Tucker as their quarterbacks. They drafted Matt Corrall in the draft in April but he suffered a season-ending foot injury in the pre-season.

The Panthers are currently 4-8 and are expected to have a top-10 pick in the draft and are a team that could certainly draft a quarterback.

Could the San Francisco 49ers sign Baker Mayfield?

Following the release from Carolina, Mayfield will be available to claim on the waiver wire. If nobody claims him on the wire, he is set to become a free-agent and will have the option to sign with any team.

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One team that could sign him is the San Francisco 49ers. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a broken foot in yesterday's victory over the Miami Dolphins and is out for the season.

This is the second injury they've had at the quarterback position as they lost Trey Lance in Week 2 with a season-ending ankle injury. Backup quarterback Brock Purdy stepped in for Garoppolo and played well.

One stumbling block is that the 49ers are 24th in waiver priority. So, other teams could take Mayfield first. Teams that might be interested include the Houston Texans, the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints.

#49ers are 24th in waiver priority:

1. HOU
2. CHI
3. DEN
4. LAR
5. CAR
6. JAX
7. NO
8. AZ
9. IND
10. ATL
11. GB
12. LV
13. CLE
14. PIT
15. DET
16. TB
17. LAC
18. NE
19. WAS
20. SEA
21. TEN
22. NYJ
23. NYG
24. SF
25. BAL
26. MIA
27. CIN
28. KC
29. DAL
30. BUF
31. MIN
32. PHI

The 49ers could have the opportunity to sign the former Panthers star, or go with Purdy. Filling in for Jimmy G, Purdy completed 29 out of 46 passing attempts for 276 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.