NFC South

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Robbie Anderson said that his recent Instagram comments that appeared to express displeasure with a potential union between his team and Cleveland Browns signal-caller Baker Mayfield were done out of support for incumbent Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold.

ESPN's Kimberley A. Martin relayed comments Anderson made to local reporters.

Anthony Rizzuti of Panthers Wire explained what went down on April 15:

On Friday, a fan Instagram account, @panthers.way, posted a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that suggested Carolina was the most likely landing spot for Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. Anderson (@chosen1ra), who wasn’t subtweeting or sub-commenting this time, made it clear he’s not exactly cool with such a prospect.

Anderson responded "Nooooo" to that IG post and then later wrote "Facts" in response to another post saying that the wideout did not want Mayfield in town.

It's no secret that the Panthers aren't beholden to rolling with Darnold going forward. They drafted Ole Miss signal-caller Matt Corral in the third round this year, and rumors have connected Mayfield with the Panthers after Cleveland traded for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported on the matter Tuesday, saying there's "urgency" for the Panthers to get a deal done "soon."

As for Anderson, he's coming off a down year in which he had 53 catches for 519 yards. He posted 95 receptions for 1,096 yards the season beforehand.

Anderson has played with Darnold for three seasons: two with the New York Jets (2018-19) and last year with Carolina.

The 29-year-old is under contract with the Panthers through 2023.

The Carolina Panthers are still being linked to Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, but the rumors don't appear to be rattling Sam Darnold, who noted Wednesday that general manager Scott Fitterer is going to do what's best for the team in all situations.

"I think no matter what they're always gonna do what's best for the team," Darnold told reporters (10:54). "And so with that being said, whether that's Scott going out and getting someone who he feels like can do a better job, you know, that's not for me to judge. ... I’ve gotta hold up my end of the bargain. If I’m the starting quarterback for this team, I’ve gotta go out and play good football."

Darnold's comments come after Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported Tuesday that the Panthers and Browns have continued to have discussions about a trade for Mayfield but that the quarterback's salary remains an issue.

Mayfield is set to play the 2022 season on his $18.8 million fifth-year option before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2023.

The Browns are looking to trade Mayfield after acquiring Deshaun Watson in a deal with the Houston Texans in March. Cleveland gave Watson a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract, signaling that it will move on from Mayfield regardless after the 2022 campaign.

However, Watson's status for the upcoming season remains up in the air as the NFL continues to investigate numerous allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment against him.

As for the Panthers, they've been in the quarterback market since the 2021 season ended. Carolina acquired Darnold from the New York Jets ahead of the 2021 campaign began, but he didn't live up to the team's expectations.

Darnold appeared in just 12 games due to numerous injuries, completing 59.9 percent of his passes for 2,527 yards and nine touchdowns against 13 interceptions. It was a continuation of what has been a disappointing career for the 2018 third overall pick.

While Darnold appears set to enter the 2022 season as Carolina's starting quarterback, the Panthers also selected Matt Corral in the 2022 NFL Draft, hoping that he can be their quarterback of the future.

If all else fails, Mayfield wouldn't be a terrible option for the upcoming campaign. The 2018 first overall pick struggled with a shoulder injury throughout the 2021 season and still managed to complete 60.5 percent of his passes for 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

That said, Mayfield will need to prove himself and be more consistent in 2022 if he has hopes of being a starter in 2023 and beyond, whether that be in Carolina or elsewhere.

The Carolina Panthers are reportedly making a push to acquire disgruntled quarterback Baker Mayfield from the Cleveland Browns.

According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the Panthers and Browns are holding trade talks focused on Mayfield with the main sticking point being how much of Mayfield's salary the Browns are willing to absorb.

Jones added that Carolina has made Cleveland its best offer yet for Mayfield, and there is a sense of "urgency" on the Panthers' side to get a deal done soon in order to have Mayfield in the fold for part of minicamp.

The Browns essentially turned the page on Mayfield in March when they acquired quarterback Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans and gave him a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract.

Before the Browns traded for Watson, Mayfield was clearly frustrated by the team even entertaining the idea:

The Watson trade coupled with the signing of Jacoby Brissett as a backup quarterback in free agency spelled the end of Mayfield's tenure, but things have been slow to develop on the trade front.

There are likely several reasons for that, including negotiations on how Mayfield's $18.9 million 2022 salary will be divvied up, and the fact that the Browns have very little leverage given that teams know they have to part ways with him eventually.

At the same time, the Panthers are lacking leverage to some degree since the Browns are aware of their less-than-ideal quarterback situation.

For now, Sam Darnold is the de facto starter, but that status is tenuous at best given that he finished last season with a 4-7 record as a starter and completed just 59.9 percent of his passes for 2,527 yards, nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions, marking the second consecutive year in which he had more picks than touchdown tosses.

Behind Darnold is rookie third-round draft pick Matt Corral, who has no shortage of talent but doesn't necessarily have the feel of a day one starter.

Mayfield has his warts as a player, but the 2018 No. 1 overall pick is perhaps the best option the Panthers have right now.

While the 27-year-old struggled to the tune of a 6-8 record, as well as 3,010 yards, 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last season, he played much of the year with an injured non-throwing shoulder that required offseason surgery.

Also, Mayfield isn't far removed from a 2020 season that was the best of his career, as he completed 62.8 percent of his passes for 3,563 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also led the Browns to the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and to a playoff victory over the rival Pittsburgh Steelers.

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule is likely coaching for his job this season after going 10-23 in his first two campaigns, and he needs a quarterback who can best utilize running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver D.J. Moore.

Mayfield has had his ups and downs over the course of his career, but the numbers say he is a significantly better option than Darnold.

Veteran free-agent defensive end Carlos Dunlap is set to visit with the Carolina Panthers on Monday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Dunlap, 33, is a 12-year NFL veteran who spent his first 10-and-a-half seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks during the 2020 campaign.

The North Charleston, South Carolina, native is a two-time Pro Bowler and represents a potential pass-rushing replacement for Haason Reddick, who left the Panthers for the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency.

Dunlap was a second-round draft pick of the Bengals in 2010, and he went on to become one of the most prolific pass-rushers in team history.

He racked up 82.5 sacks in 155 regular-season games with the Bengals, placing him second on the team's all-time sack list behind only Eddie Edwards (84.5).

Dunlap had a career-high 13.5 sacks in 2015 en route to his first Pro Bowl and was named a Pro Bowler again the following season after an eight-sack effort.

Cincinnati traded Dunlap to the Seahawks during the 2020 season for center B.J. Finney and a seventh-round draft pick, and the move paid dividends for Seattle.

In eight games for the Seahawks, Dunlap finished with five sacks. He followed that up with a team-high 8.5 sacks last season, giving him 96 for his career.

Last season, the Panthers ranked in the middle of the pack in sacks, but Reddick led the way with 11. Carolina's leading returning sack artist is Brian Burns, who had nine, while no other returning player had more than 3.5 last season.

Carolina didn't do much to address its defensive line in free agency or via the draft, instead banking on third-year man Yetur Gross-Matos taking a leap forward.

While the Panthers will need plenty out of Burns and Gross-Matos moving forward, bringing in an experienced and productive veteran like Dunlap for obvious passing situations could provide a boost.

Tom Brady did not explicitly deny reports he planned to join the Miami Dolphins in some capacity this offseason when speaking to reporters Thursday.

"I had a lot of conversations with a lot of people, I've had for the last three or four years of my career, about different opportunities when I'm done playing football," Brady told reporters. "So, I kind of made a decision of what I'd like to do, and I'll get to be in the game of football."

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported in February—after Brady initially retired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—that the Dolphins planned to pursue Brady as the team's quarterback with Sean Payton as the coach. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe later reported Brady could have become a part owner of the Dolphins before returning as the team's quarterback.

The plan reportedly fell apart when former Dolphins coach Brian Flores filed a lawsuit against the NFL alleging racial discrimination.

Brady later unretired and stayed with the Buccaneers, with whom he had one more year under contract.

Mike McDaniel was instead hired as the Dolphins head coach, while Tua Tagovailoa will begin the 2022 season as the starting quarterback.

Payton denied the rumor about teaming up with Brady in Miami and said he doesn't plan to return to the sidelines this year.

There are still questions about Brady's original plan, with Dan Le Batard noting he did not dispute the aforementioned reports:

Brady, meanwhile, wants to move forward with the Buccaneers.

"I think for me, the most important thing is where I'm at now and what I hope to do for this team," he said Thursday. "That's been my commitment to this team and this organization. It's been so much fun for me to come here two years ago. It's been almost two-and-a-half now and it's been an incredible part of my football journey. And it's not over."

The Buccaneers won the Super Bowl in Brady's first year with the team, but the squad suffered a second-round loss to the Los Angeles Rams last season. The squad will look to bounce back in 2022 with Todd Bowles taking over as head coach after Bruce Arians retired.

Tom Brady is holding out hope Rob Gronkowski will come back for another season in Tampa Bay, but he told reporters Thursday he's not applying any pressure for a swift decision:

"I think it's just obviously totally up to him and we'd all obviously love to play with him, but he's got to make the best decision for himself and he knows that. Anyone who cares about him knows that he's doing what's right for him, which is trying to figure it out. We don't have training camp for about six weeks so whatever he's got to do to figure it out and I think we'll be hopeful if he does and if he doesn't we still got to go out there and figure out what to do."

Gronkowski has been noncommittal about returning for a 12th NFL season and is currently a free agent. In March, he seemed to hint he was leaning toward returning but joked he wanted to give Brady "a little scare."

Gronkowski sat out the 2019 season as part of a one-year retirement before joining Brady in Tampa the following year. While he hasn't been as dominant as he was during his Patriots prime, Gronkowski was well on his way to a Pro Bowl campaign last season before injuries cost him five games. He recorded 55 receptions for 802 yards and six touchdowns, earning a 79.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.

The overall wear and tear on Gronkowski's body has been a major factor in his hesitation to continue his Hall of Fame career. He estimated in 2019 that he's suffered 20 concussions during his football career, along with numerous surgeries and other ailments that did not require going under the knife.

Brady briefly retired in February before announcing he would come back for the 2022 season a month-and-a-half later. He's set to become the second-oldest quarterback in NFL history this season, topped only by George Blanda, who played until he was 48.

Unlike Blanda, Brady is still at the top of his game and putting up MVP-caliber numbers as he approaches age 45. Brady led the NFL with 5,316 yards and 43 touchdowns against 12 interceptions last season; his yardage total ranks third on the single-season all-time list.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Tom Brady had a difficult time deciding whether would suit up for a 23rd NFL season, as evidenced by his offseason retirement and subsequent reversal.

The 15-time Pro Bowler explained to reporters Thursday how his perspective is far different than when he was younger, which added to his initial indecision:

"It's very easy when you're 25 to know what you want to do the next year. It's very challenging when you're 43 or 44 because there's a lot of other things that are pressing and a lot of other things that are really important in your life, like your kids and your wife and different relationships, and things are always taking a backseat to football. That's just how it's gone for me. So it's challenging. I've got to work through those things. It's part of what’s challenging about things that’s happening in your life, different decisions you make. I have a great life, I have zero complaints about it, I just try to do the best I can do."

On Feb. 1, Brady announced he was retiring from the NFL. By March 13, he had a change of heart, saying he "realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands."

Following Capital One's The Match on June 1, the 44-year-old offered more insight into his decision-making process. He said wanting to keep playing was "like 55 percent yes and 45 percent no" and "not 100-0."

Brady added he "felt some pressure" when he was on the fence to make up his mind ahead of NFL free agency. The free-agent negotiating window opened March 14, and free agency officially got underway March 16 with the start of the NFL's 2022 league year.

Things worked out for the Buccaneers because they not only retained their starting quarterback but could also turn around and make other moves with the knowledge Brady was back.

Tampa Bay held on to Chris Godwin, William Gholston, Ryan Jensen, Carlton Davis and Leonard Fournette, signed Akiem Hicks and Russell Gage, and traded for Shaq Mason.

But the team could've been in serious trouble if Brady had stayed retired. By the time he returned, the Denver Broncos had lined up a trade for Russell Wilson, and Aaron Rodgers had reaffirmed his commitment to the Green Bay Packers. Derek Carr was on his way toward signing an extension with the Las Vegas Raiders too.

Logical replacements for Brady were in short supply by mid-March.

Based on the legendary signal-caller's comments Thursday, the Bucs will find themselves in the same position next offseason with their fate hanging on his playing status.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Tom Brady denied reports he and Bruce Arians had a rift toward the end of last season.

"He and I have a great relationship," Brady said of Arians. "Part of why I chose here was because of Bruce."

Brady initially retired earlier in the offseason before returning, but then Arians stepped away while elevating Todd Bowles to head coach.

Former NFL offensive lineman Rich Ohrnberger said on Twitter that the "relationship was souring" between Brady and Arians.

Arians also denied the alleged rift in April, via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

"Tom just sent me a picture [Sunday]. He got a present for me," Arians said. "It's a $50,000 watch. He says he's bringing it to me. Who does that if we hate each other? As soon as he's back in town, we'll play golf."

The coach and quarterback found a lot of on-field success together, winning a Super Bowl in the 2020 season. The squad went 13-4 in 2021 before suffering a divisional-round playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams, who went on to win the championship.

Tampa Bay will look to return to contention in 2022 behind Brady and Bowles.