Trade leverage for Baker Mayfield rising to an all-time high

Since adding Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns have had no leverage in a potential Baker Mayfield trade but this seems to finally be changing

Not long ago, it was starting to look as though the Cleveland Browns were going to have to release Baker Mayfield. No one was biting on a trade and it appeared general manager Andrew Berry would have to admit defeat and eat the $18.8 million contract.

Things are rapidly changing now though as the interest in Mayfield is beginning to rise. And while we don’t know when the saga will end, we do know that two teams are interested which finally gives Berry the leverage he needs.

According to Jared Mueller of Browns Wire, the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers are interested which could play right into the hands of the Browns.

"“Then, a report came out that the Panthers had some urgency to get a deal done. This week, a report came out that the Seattle Seahawks are still interested and could even extend the quarterback.All of a sudden, Berry had two teams that were now, reportedly, interested.” — Mueller, Browns Wire"

What’s most interesting in all of this is the rumor that the Seahawks not only want Mayfield, but they’re even considering giving him an extension should they land him.

What the sudden Baker Mayfield leverage means

The real questions now are what can the Browns do with this leverage and what do they hope to accomplish.

If their primary goal is to get as much return as they can for Mayfield, they might have to eat a ton of his salary still. Reports suggest this has been the lone holdup for the Panthers, who don’t want to pay the near $19 million guaranteed contract. Cleveland could decide to move him to Carolina and pay up to half his salary, but then could request more draft compensation as an incentive to do so.

However, if they are more concerned with getting the money off the books, the Seahawks could be the team to watch. With the willingness on their part to sign Mayfield to an extension, they might not be too concerned about what the Browns do financially — however, they could use this to their advantage and offer less in return for Mayfield.

With camp arriving soon, this whole ordeal could be put behind us in a matter of days and the sudden increase in leverage is a positive sign for Cleveland.