The Cleveland Browns have traded quarterback Baker Mayfield, the first pick in the 2018 Draft, to the Carolina Panthers for a 2024 conditional fifth-round pick.

While that should be an upgrade for the Panthers, other teams that might have thought they had a shot at Mayfield are now left to scramble for any potential QBB solutions.

Once the Cleveland Browns made their blockbuster trade for QB Deshaun Watson, the writing was on the wall for Mayfield in Cleveland. Even with a likely lengthy suspension looming for Watson, Mayfield had made it clear that he was done with the Browns.

NFL

10 NFL Dominoes Left to Fall Before 2022 Season Starts

With Mayfield available, one of the teams that were considered a potential landing spot was the Seattle Seahawks, a team that is currently heading towards the 2022 NFL season with journeymen Geno Smith and Drew Lock atop their QB depth chart.

Smith is 31 years old and started three games last season, his most in a season since 2014. He attempted 95 passes, completing 68.4%, and threw for 702 yards with five touchdowns and one interception. Lock, 25, was part of the package that the Seahawks received from the Denver Broncos in return for Russell Wilson. Lock started three games for Denver last season and attempted 111 passes overall, completing 60.4%, for 787 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Those are hardly numbers that are indicative of a full-time starting QB in the NFL.

Since that is the case, it is possible that the Seahawks could still consider other options at QB for the 2022 season. Here are three possible QB candidates for Seattle:

 

Jimmy Garoppolo

If the Seahawks were a QB away from being a playoff contender, then maybe they would be able to overcome the hurdles necessary to acquire Jimmy G, not the least of which is that he currently plays for a division rival in the San Francisco 49ers.

Garoppolo is a bona fide starting QB in the league and is behind Trey Lance on San Francisco’s depth chart right now, so there would be a theoretical fit. Maybe if the Niners release Garoppolo, in order to get out from under the $24.2 million cap hit of his contract, the Seahawks would be prepared to swoop in to secure his services. But if a trade is required, that may not come too easily.