Panthers have 'inside track' to land Baker Mayfield after Deshaun Watson trade: report

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Baker Mayfield is in NFL limbo following the Cleveland Browns' decision to trade for Deshaun Watson, but one team in the NFC has reportedly emerged as a front-runner to land the former Oklahoma quarterback.

The Carolina Panthers, who have last year's starter Sam Darnold on their roster, are believed to have the "inside track" to acquire Mayfield, The Plain Dealer reported. Mayfield would likely start over Darnold and a rookie if the Panthers decide to select one in this month's draft, and the move could reportedly happen in the next couple of weeks.

The report coincides with comments made Friday by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on the Pat McAfee Show indicating Carolina would be the most likely landing spot for the quarterback. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield walks to the locker room after the Browns defeated the Detroit Lions 13-10 Nov. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

"To me, the Carolina Panthers seem to be the most likely spot for Baker Mayfield, or maybe a team brings him in as a high-money backup, like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – that would make some sense to me," Rapoport said. 

Last week, Mayfield said he felt "disrespected" by the Browns after they traded for Watson, who is still facing 22 lawsuits over sexual assault allegations.

"I feel disrespected 100%," Mayfield said on the YNK podcast that aired Wednesday. "Because I was told one thing, and they completely did another. That’s what I’m in the middle of right now."

BAKER MAYFIELD SAYS HE FEELS ‘DISRESPECTED’ BY BROWNS FOLLOWING DESHAUN WATSON TRADE

Mayfield, who remains on the Browns roster and will