Seahawks take next step in Browns trade talks

The Seattle Seahawks are one step closer to trading for Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, or so it would seem.

The Seahawks punted on Russell Wilson this offseason, dealing him to the Denver Broncos for Drew Lock and draft picks. While they didn’t spend any of their selections this year on a long-term replacement for Wilson, they could make a trade for Mayfield, who is readily available in Cleveland.

The issue in dealing for Baker would be his contract status — Seattle would rather not pay his lofty 2022 salary, and have him as a lingering free agent. The solution to that would be signing him to a less-lucrative deal the minute he lands in the Emerald City.

Seahawks: Baker Mayfield trade in sight

Taking on Mayfield’s money — or at least talking financials with the Browns — is the final major hurdle for both sides. Seattle doesn’t think highly enough of Mayfield to pay him like one of the best quarterbacks from his rookie class. Meanwhile, Cleveland doesn’t want to punt on a former No. 1 overall pick for nothing.

Yet, the longer the Browns wait, the more they risk losing him for…nothing.

ESPN’s Josina Anderson shed some light on this situation:

“I’m told the #Seahawks still have a high-level of interest in acquiring QB Baker Mayfield and behind-the-scenes are open to contractually extending him, per league source. I also know that the process of collecting information and insights into Mayfield is still ongoing.”

Assuming the Seahawks eventually come to the conclusion that Mayfield is starting quarterback material, then he will be dealt to Seattle. The details have yet to be made public, but odds are they are mostly financial at this juncture.