Why Panthers traded for Baker Mayfield, not Jimmy Garoppolo

Jimmy Garoppolo won’t be going to play for the Panthers this season, as they elected to make a blockbuster trade with the Browns for Baker Mayfield instead.

Baker Mayfield is a better quarterback than Jimmy Garoppolo.

At least that’s what Mayfield’s new team, the Carolina Panthers, is thinking.

During the week, Carolina made the blockbuster deal with the Cleveland Browns for Mayfield, who found himself in a similar situation as Garoppolo with the San Francisco 49ers: a lame-duck signal-caller who’s already being shoved towards the door in the wake of other quarterbacks’ arrivals, Deshaun Watson to the Browns earlier this offseason and Trey Lance to the Niners last year, respectively.

While Garoppolo to the Panthers had been a discussion point for much of the offseason up until the Mayfield trade, it’s clear Carolina had its preference.

Why?

Why Panthers chose Baker Mayfield instead of Jimmy Garoppolo

The Panthers were in need of a quarterback this offseason, a clear-cut upgrade over Sam Darnold, who now finds himself a lame-duck signal-caller, albeit a far less attractive one. Yet any rumors and reports of Garoppolo going to Carolina never got too far off the ground, and the Mayfield deal essentially answers any questions as to whether or not Jimmy G had much of a market with the Panthers anyway.

In comparison, both Garoppolo and Mayfield are coming off offseason shoulder surgeries, albeit Mayfield’s was his non-throwing shoulder. Perhaps that makes a difference, but like Garoppolo, Mayfield didn’t partake in offseason activities with Cleveland.

And while there are plenty of on-field reasons to consider, let’s admit Garoppolo’s career 98.9 passer rating is notably better than Mayfield’s 87.8.

So, what made Carolina choose Mayfield over Garoppolo anyway?

Baker Mayfield is cheaper than Jimmy Garoppolo

Both quarterbacks enter 2022 on the final year of their respective contracts. Yet Mayfield, entering the final season of his rookie deal, was scheduled to make $18.9 million before hitting free agency in 2023, according to Over the Cap.

In contrast, Garoppolo’s post-trade salary is $25.5 million.

Granted, the Panthers aren’t hurting for cap space. But it’s telling that Cleveland had to absorb $10.5 million to make the trade happen:

While it’s unclear whether or not San Francisco was willing to eat some of Garoppolo’s salary to move him, or if Jimmy G is willing to take a post-trade pay cut, the financials sure swayed in Mayfield’s favor.

At least as far as the Panthers were concerned.

Baker Mayfield is younger than Jimmy Garoppolo

Age is a factor, yes. Garoppolo will turn 31 years old this season. Mayfield just turned 27 years old.

The elder has pretty much maxed out his expectation level, and it’s not likely he’ll perform exceptionally better than what the 49ers got out of him since the latter half of 2017. While Mayfield has had his share of ups and downs, youth is still on his side, relatively speaking.

Simply put, and with other aspects being equal, money and age can generally be the best determining factors.

Were Panthers right to trade for Baker Mayfield instead of Jimmy Garoppolo

Just because Carolina traded for Mayfield instead of Garoppolo doesn’t automatically mean this was the right decision.

Remember, we’re talking about a franchise that traded a second-, fourth- and a sixth-round pick for Darnold a year ago, and the New York Jets have to be thrilled about winning that particular trade.

There still may be lingering concerns about Mayfield’s maturity and locker-room presence, while Garoppolo at least has the reputation of being a leader in the clubhouse, citing many of his teammates who have defended him over the years. And one can look at how a fully healthy Garoppolo helped take the Niners deep into the playoffs in two of the last three years, while Mayfield has just two playoff games under his belt.

Regardless, the outcome is yet to be determined there, but that won’t change the fact the Panthers wanted Mayfield over Garoppolo regardless.

Instead, all it means is Jimmy G remains on San Francisco’s roster… for now.