In trade rumors for three-plus months now, Baker Mayfield remains with the Browns. This relationship is heading toward the finish line, with the Panthers engaged in off-and-on talks with the Browns and the Seahawks monitoring this situation as well.
The former No. 1 overall pick left the door slightly ajar to a potential emergency-circumstance return to Cleveland — as Deshaun Watson braces for a potential season-long suspension — but this situation still looks unsalvageable.
“I think for that to happen, there would have to be some reaching out, but we’re ready to move on, I think, on both sides,” Mayfield said of a return to the Browns for his contract year, via Sooner Scoop’s Casey Murdock (video link).
[RELATED: How Should Panthers Proceed At QB?]
Watson participated in the Browns’ minicamp, while the team excused Mayfield from the mandatory workouts. Mayfield requested a trade just before the Browns were out, then back in, on the controversial quarterback. The Browns are not looking to void Watson’s NFL-record guarantee sum ($230MM), and Mayfield has been expecting an exit for several weeks.
Mayfield’s fully guaranteed $18.9MM salary has led to this process dragging well beyond minicamp. While the Browns have moved toward paying half of that amount or slightly more, the Panthers have not given in yet. The longer the Browns and Panthers haggle over how that amount will be split up, Mayfield’s time to develop in Carolina’s offense condenses. The Panthers praised Sam Darnold‘s offseason work, and while a competition between 2018 top-three draftees may well commence in training camp, Mayfield’s limbo stay persists.
“I think I got frustrated with it not happening before minicamp and all those things,” Mayfield said. “But that’s the stuff that’s out of my control, and let those things happen and fall into place.”
Cleveland’s rearranging of its QB depth chart continued with a Case Keenum-for-Jacoby Brissett swap of sorts, with the former being traded to Buffalo on the day of the latter’s Browns free agency agreement. Brissett is being positioned to start in the likely event of a lengthy Watson ban.
“I think it’s pretty obvious the mutual decision on both sides is to move on,” Mayfield said. “I’m thankful for my four years in Cleveland. There’s a lot of ups and downs, and a ton of learning experiences that I’ll forever keep with me. … There’s no resentment toward the city of Cleveland by any means.”
Talk about a fake from Grace. #1 pick to being dumped for Watson & his fat contract and linty of accusations, to 31 other teams passing on him.
Fake from Grace? Spell check on the smart phone strike again?
Anyway, i would take him on my team
He can’t go to San Diego or Tampa (unless of course Brady wants to help him and the Bucs absorb some salary)
Eagles would be a good fit
I would be happy to see him in Seattle
Prove his worth in Cleveland again, I would be okay with that, if he is
He is a good QB and deserves another shot
I’m sure you’ve never had a typo. He’s not a good QB and that’s been shown this offseason.
All reports about trades for him this offseason has been speculation.
Hahahaha you took it the wrong way
My spell check fouls me up all the time
And the Eagles would be a horrible fit. No need to spend that much money on QB3 that won’t dress on Sunday.
Hahahaha, he could be a good fit, but I am no longer recommending him for the Eagles
San Diego? The Chargers have been in LA for a couple years now. As I think you meant, Herbert is their guy now.
Hahahaha always making new friends, yes the La Chargers and they should have stayed in San Diego
I honestly think once the DW year long suspension is announced and set for a year, if the team , owner, gm (whoever) reached out and was apologetic and all, he actually would play out his final year in Cleveland.
(Do I think it will happen? No…too much pride involved. I’m just saying in fantasy world, IF Cleveland said and did the right things, he’d come back)
I get what your saying. Agree to a point. If Watson is suspended, the Browns would be wise to pivot back to Baker. But the thought of him saying no thank you is what bugs me. He’s under contract to the team. They have no obligation to trade him. They have an obligation to pay him if he’s not traded. That’s about it. Baker would be wise to suck it up and put out solid tape for free agency next year. It’s obvious that right now… no one wants him. At least at the current contract.
That’s part of why I think he’d play out the year. Just reading between the lines on what he said above. He knows his 2021 performance on that dead arm was dreadful, and this would be an opportunity to start and set himself up for a big payday if he plays like he did in 2020.
But once again, I think ultimately he’s traded to Seattle or Carolina in August.
I don’t know why Baker would be resentful towards the Browns. They were just expressing their plan forward when they stated that they wanted an “adult” at quarterback. I’m sure he’s thick skinned enough not to be shaken by that comment, just as I’m sure it had no impact on the other 31 teams not entering a bidding war with one another to secure a trade for Baker.
Imagine acting like Baker is in the wrong for being offended his team leaked the “we’re looking for an adult” line before going out of their way to trade for a guy with 30+ sexual crime allegations lmaoooo
Cards did same thing with Murray. ‘Maturity issues’ were released by the team.
Must be something in the Stillwater, huh?
All kidding aside, the Cards haven’t handled Murray too well either. Murray certainly appears to have maturity issues, that is true, but it’s not helpful for an organization to stoop (no, not another Oklahoma reference) down to that level by allowing that to make its way to the media. There are many difficult players in the NFL, the organization needs to be above that to make their negotiations with those players more productive.
I think though there is some difference in Murray’s case versus Mayfield’s, despite the initial similarities. The Cards jettisoned an entire rebuild from the previous year to hire a hand selected coach for him made some major trades and signings to help (Hopkins being the most notable, plus Green, Ertz, and now Brown, and that’s just considering pass catchers). The Browns improved their team, but more in a general sense than specifically to help Mayfield himself. They proved that Mayfield wasn’t their object of commitment when they traded for Watson.
The Cards have done nothing but prove that they are committed to Murray, and Murray has claimed that they haven’t shown that to be true. I don’t see Murray’s point at all, honestly. Mayfield I believe has more of a defensible position. It could be notable to consider that Mayfield has actually been to the playoffs and won, which Murray has yet to do. Ironically, the major contributor to his poor season happened in the game against the Cards, when he hurt his shoulder on that tackle.
Stillwater? Bruh…
That mistake would get you exiled & banned from Norman
Yeah, you’re right. Got my wires mixed up. That’s embarrassing. Apologies
I liked Baker but he has maturity issues. That’s one of the reasons he hasn’t been dealt. He still is a top 15 quarterback when healthy. This is nothing more than trying to act like an adult so a team is more willing to trade for him.
Can you elaborate on these supposed maturity issues?
You’re talking to a guy who defends and heaps praise on Deshaun Watson every chance he gets. Him saying Baker has ‘maturity issues’ is a compliment if it’s not trolling.
2 people can have maturity issues. You have a reading comprehension problem. I believe, as I’ve always believed that Watson deserves a substantial suspension. I don’t agree with a lifetime ban or multiple years either. He violated the Code of Conduct but I don’t believe he physically forced or raped anyone. That’s been my defense. Kraft also violated the Code of Conduct too.
Not doing an interview after a bad game, even though they won. Walking off the field right after that game. Yelling at Hue Jackson after Jackson was fired and was working for the Bengals. Always in a social media argument with a member of the press. Bashing Stefanski’s play calling a couple of times in the media. Crotch grabbing as a Sooner. His wife on social media bashing teammates for not catching the ball. All of this can be overlooked if you’re playing good. He wasn’t. I like Baker and I wish him well. Hopefully Watson justs plays football after his suspension
Lol if “football” is a special massage maybe.
He won’t get suspended again.
He’s not a bad QB. But “top 15” leans more to number 15, at best
That’s generally what that means. He finished 10th after the 20-21 season and 26th after the 21-22 season. I believe injuries played into last year’s drop. He will consistently be rated somewhere between 12th and 18th I believe
I just want to see how Progressive spins all of this into a stellar ad campaign
Progressive presents: Flo as Baker’s new life coach.
“Still” at home with Baker Mayfield.
How to work from home and Make 18 mil a year.
Cleveland front office: “she meant nothing to me…don’t leave…I need you! You’re my soul mate…”
Andrew Berry is outside the stadium right now with a boombox in the rain, as Mayfield stands teary eyed in the bleachers, refusing to look back.
“It’s too late, Emily…I changed the code.”
Karen Mayfield
Baker would be an Excellent fit in San Diego or St Louis.
It’s always nice to see the guy thrown under the bus say he has a good relationship with the driver.
Browns QB situation …
A horny azz .. that won’t play for a year ..
A 1st round flop that 22 teams don’t want because he’s too involved in commercials rather than the playbook … I will say he did play hurt so that stands for something
Or Brissett who is truly a below average starter and high end back up …
Good grief … what a difference from NE Ohio to SW Ohio …