HEADLINES

Baker Mayfield

Minor NFL Transactions: 1/5/22

January 5th, 2022 at 5:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Wednesday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears 

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Browns’ Baker Mayfield Set For Surgery

January 4th, 2022 at 12:43pm CST by Zachary Links

The Browns’ season, for all intents and purposes, is over. In the case of Baker Mayfield, it’s truly over. The quarterback will have surgery on his injured shoulder, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski, and miss the season finale against the Bengals. 

[RELATED: Updated 2022 NFL Draft Order]

Mayfield’s shoulder has plagued him throughout the year, but he’s played through the pain and missed just two games so far. Even after last night’s loss and playoff elimination, Mayfield still left the door open to finishing out the year.

“There was an opportunity to win, and I’m an extremely competitive guy,” Mayfield said (via NFL.com) “Now, it’s time for me to look at what’s in the best interest of me and my health. I haven’t been healthy and I tried to fight for my guys. Right now, I’m pretty damned beat up to be honest with you. I gave it everything I had tonight.”

Beyond next week, Mayfield’s future remains in doubt. After finishing 10th in 2020 QBR, Mayfield is near the back of the list. The Browns only have Mayfield signed through 2022, via the fully guaranteed fifth-year option ($18.9MM), leading to speculation that he could be moved in the offseason. Ultimately, it seems like the Browns are more likely to keep Mayfield, table extension talks, and treat his ’22 as a prove-it year.

Latest On Baker Mayfield, Jarvis Landry

January 3rd, 2022 at 8:43am CST by Adam La Rose

With the Cleveland Browns officially eliminated from playoff contention by AFC results on Sunday, the time has come to start looking ahead to the offseason. Two key pieces in the upcoming evaluation process for GM Andrew Berry are quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Jarvis Landry. Much of how he tries to set the team up to rebound from a disappointing 2021 season will revolve around the decisions made regarding these veterans and their contracts. 

According to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, the Browns are unlikely to bring back Landry at his currently scheduled cap hit of $16.55MM. Between injuries and ongoing quarterback issues, the 30-year-old has only recorded 42 catches for 452 yards and one touchdown this year. Add that to the fact that the team would only incur a hit of $1.5MM in dead money if he were released, and it is easy to see why Cabot figures Cleveland is more likely to restructure his deal.

Cabot also adds, however, that the team may prefer to completely overhaul the top end of their receiving corps. Having already moved on from Odell Beckham Jr. midseason – a decision that seemed to sour Landry, his former LSU teammate and close friend – Berry may do the same with another expensive acquisition made prior to his arrival as GM.

As for Mayfield, a myriad of injuries are one of several reasons for the Browns’ underachieving this campaign. Cabot sees it as unlikely the Browns part ways with the former first-overall pick this spring, though. With a cap hit of $18.8MM in next year, Cleveland could use 2022 as the final “prove-it” season to decide whether or not Mayfield is worth committing to long-term. In an uncertain free agency, coupled with an underwhelming quarterback class upcoming in the draft, Cabot suspects more attention will be placed on filling roster holes elsewhere and counting on improved health along the offensive line.

The Browns play the Steelers on Monday night, and will finish the season against the AFC North champion Bengals in Week 18.

Browns’ Baker Mayfield, Myles Garrett Expected To Be Active Today

December 25th, 2021 at 9:51am CST by Ben Levine

The Browns will have their top QBs available for this afternoon’s showdown with the Packers. The team reported that QB Case Keenum has cleared protocols and accompanied starter Baker Mayfield to Green Bay. Mayfield posted an IG story this morning showing him arriving in Green Bay for the afternoon game (via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com on Twitter).

Per Stacey Dales of NFL Network (on Twitter), Mayfield is “ready to roll,” and his “body feels the healthiest it’s been in a while.” The QB was asymptomatic during his stint on the reserve/COVID-19 list, but he stayed “very involved virtually” for his eventual return. Mayfield tested positive for the coronavirus December 15 but could not navigate the return protocol until yesterday. Now, he’ll have a chance to guide Cleveland to a crucial win against the top team in the league.

Keenum landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on December 17, forcing him to miss a potential start against the Raiders (a start that ultimately went to Nick Mullens). The veteran got one start filling in for Mayfield earlier this season, completing 21 of his 33 pass attempts for 199 yards and one touchdown in a win over the Broncos.

Myles Garrett is also planning on playing this afternoon. The star pass rusher is listed as questionable with a groin injury, but Garrett told Cabot that he has no intention of missing the Christmas game.

“I feel like I’ll play regardless of how I feel,” Garrett said. “I haven’t practiced, so we’ll see. But I’m going to go out there and give my all. We’ve got to win out to make the playoffs and I’m going to play in every second of the game that I can.”

 

NFL COVID List Updates: 12/24/21

December 24th, 2021 at 6:14pm CST by Ely Allen

We’ve compiled a list of players who were placed on or activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list today. In some instances, players activated from the list remain on IR:

Baltimore Ravens

  • Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: S Chuck Clark, C Trystan Colon
  • Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: RB Nate McCrary
  • Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: QB Chris Streveler

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

  • Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Jordan Fuller, TE Tyler Higbee
  • Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: OL Cole Williamson

Miami Dolphins

  • Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: RB Gerrid Doaks

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

  • Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Travis Homer
  • Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: OL Pier-Olivier Lestage

Tennessee Titans

Washington Football Team

Browns Activate Baker Mayfield, Jarvis Landry From COVID-19 List

December 24th, 2021 at 2:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

Baker Mayfield and Jarvis Landry did not practice this week, but both will be in line to play on Christmas Day. The Browns are activating Mayfield and Landry from the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Mayfield tested positive for the coronavirus Dec. 15 but could not navigate the return protocol until Friday. Still, he will be expected to start against the Packers.

The Browns also activated backup Case Keenum, cornerback A.J. Green and defensive lineman Ifeadi Odengibo from the virus list for their Green Bay trip. Cleveland’s loss against Las Vegas, in a game Nick Mullens started with a host of backups at other spots, significantly diminished its playoff chances. The team was without 10 starters against the Raiders.

Some Browns remain on the virus list, including center J.C. Tretter and left tackle Jedrick Wills. Still, the Browns will be in better shape to face the Packers compared to the squad they were forced to deploy Monday.

Mayfield is still dealing with the left shoulder fracture he suffered earlier this season. The former No. 1 overall pick has dealt with other injury issues this season, but the shoulder problem will require surgery in 2022. Some of Mayfield’s numbers are well off his 2020 pace. He has thrown just 13 touchdown passes. While his completion percentage (62.8) is identical to his full-season 2020 mark and yards-per-attempt figure (7.6) up from last year, QBR slots Mayfield 25th. The metric placed the Browns starter 10th in 2020, putting him on track for a potential extension this year. Those talks have since been tabled, with a new deal unlikely until next year at least.

AFC Notes: Henry, Mayfield, Jets, Steelers

December 22nd, 2021 at 11:59am CST by Sam Robinson

Initially floated last month, the prospect of Derrick Henry coming back for the playoffs is moving closer to reality. Henry returning for the Titans‘ first postseason game is the plan, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes. Once thought to be out for the season, Henry has recovered well enough, per Rapoport, that the Titans would consider bringing him back for Week 18 — should the team need a win to reach the playoffs. Henry has been out since Week 8, when he suffered a Jones fracture in his foot. This would obviously be a tremendous development for the Titans, who have not been the same without the two-time reigning rushing champion. Henry’s 937 rushing yards still rank fifth in the NFL, despite the dominant back having missed the past six games. Henry underwent surgery Nov. 2.

Here is the latest from the AFC:

  • Although Baker Mayfield missed Monday’s game due to a positive COVID-19 test, the Browns quarterback has played through multiple injuries in the previous several weeks. The former No. 1 overall pick will, however, need offseason surgery and will be forced to wear a harness on his injured left shoulder the rest of this season, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports notes. Mayfield suffered a fractured shoulder bone in October. While some of Mayfield’s other injuries — of the knee and heel variety — have improved, the shoulder problem is unlikely to be in the rear-view mirror until after his 2022 surgery.
  • The Jets may be without their head coach in Week 16. Robert Saleh tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets. Tight ends coach Ron Middleton would step in as acting head coach if Saleh remains sidelined on Sunday, when the Jets face the Jaguars.
  • Mekhi Becton has yet to resume practicing, with Saleh indicating earlier this week he had “no update” on his left tackle. Out with a dislocated kneecap he sustained in Week 1, Becton has yet to resume practicing. The Jets shutting down their left tackle would be wise here, Cimini writes. Two years remain on the 370-pound blocker’s contract, with a 2024 option included, but availability has become a concern for the 2020 first-rounder. Becton missed some time last season, and the Jets have previously levied discipline over his weight.
  • First-year Steelers offensive line coach Adrian Klemm has attracted interest from a high-profile college program. Oregon is pursuing the NFL assistant, ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg tweets. Promoted after two years as the Steelers’ assistant O-line coach, Klemm has only been an NFL assistant for three seasons. He worked as a college staffer previously, ending that run as a UCLA associate head coach. Oregon is assembling a new staff under recently hired HC Dan Lanning.

Browns’ Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum Ruled Out

December 20th, 2021 at 9:31am CST by Zachary Links

Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum weren’t able to test out of the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols in time for today’s game (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). With that, Nick Mullens is set to start for the Browns against the Raiders today.

[RELATED: Raiders-Browns Moved To Monday]

The Browns were able to activate safety John Johnson III from the list, but the bulk of their COVID-19 positive players from last week will be held out. To fill the roster, the Browns have elevated cornerbacks Brian Allen and Herb Miller, safeties Tedric Thompson and Jovante Moffatt, defensive end Joe Jackson, guard Hjalte Froholdt, and running back John Kelly for tonight’s game.

Without their top two QBs, the Browns will need a big day out of their running backs. Unfortunately, that group won’t include Kareem Hunt, who also finds himself on the COVID-19 list. Instead, they’ll look to Nick Chubb, who has 5.5 yards per carry on the year, and D’Ernest Johnson, the reserve who turned in a couple of impressive performances earlier this year.

Browns’ Baker Mayfield Tests Positive For COVID-19

December 15th, 2021 at 8:45am CST by Zachary Links

Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has tested positive for COVID-19 (Twitter link via Adam Schefter and Kimberley A. Martin of ESPN.com). This means that Mayfield will be held out of this week’s game against the Raiders, unless he tests negative twice between now and Saturday. The same goes for cornerback Troy Hill, safety John Johnson III, defensive tackle Malik McDowell, and Ifeadi Odenigbo, all of whom were also placed on the reserve list today (Twitter link).

[RELATED: Browns Place Eight Players On COVID-19 List]

Mayfield is just the latest in a slew of positive tests for the Browns. On Tuesday, the Browns were forced to place eight players on the reserve list, including wide receiver Jarvis Landry, right guard Wyatt Teller, tight end Austin Hooper, left tackle Jedrick Wills, and defensive end Takkarist McKinley. As of this writing, roughly 16% of the Browns’ active roster could be shelved for their pivotal Week 15 game.

Mayfield is asymptomatic, or feeling “completely normal,” as one source tells Schefter (Twitter link). Still, the same COVID-19 protocols apply for the Browns’ star quarterback. If he’s unable to play, backup Case Keenum will be in line to start with Nick Mullens serving as the QB2.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski has also tested positive, leaving special teams coordinator Mike Priefer in charge for the week. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt — who does not typically call the plays — will run the offense on Saturday. And, on top of that, running back Kareem Hunt is expected to sit out as he heals up from his lingering calf injury. Ditto for cornerback Greg Newsome II (concussion) and safety Ronnie Harrison (ankle).

The Browns are 7-6 following last week’s W over the Ravens. They currently have a 40% chance of reaching the playoffs with a 25% chance of taking the division, per the stats at Five Thirty Eight.

Browns GM Discusses Baker Mayfield’s Injury, Potential Extension

December 1st, 2021 at 10:21pm CST by Ben Levine

Much has been made of Baker Mayfield and his lack of an extension. Fuel has been added to that fire recently, as the Browns have gone 2-5 in Mayfield’s last seven starts, and Cleveland has been limited to only 30 points over their last three games (with the QB tossing three touchdowns vs. three interceptions). However, Browns general manager Andrew Berry provided the former first-overall pick with a vote of confidence today, and he said the signal caller’s various injuries shouldn’t impact the team’s ability to win games.

“Baker’s our quarterback,” Berry said (via ESPN’s Jake Trotter). “He’s healthy enough to win games for us. If he’s ready to go, he’s going to be our starter.”

While Berry refused to speak specifically about Mayfield’s potential extension, he did acknowledge that the team would (naturally) consider the player’s entire body of work vs. his recent struggles.

“With Baker, from a long-term perspective, you try to take a big picture,” Berry said. “With any player, it’s about the body of work over several years. We’ve seen Baker play good football here and play good football this season…There will be plenty of time to think about how we’re going to build the roster next year. Right now, we’re focused on doing everything in our power to maximize this current season.”

Mayfield’s fractured shoulder issue did require one missed game, a narrow Week 7 win over the Broncos, but he has otherwise played through that issue — an ailment that will almost certainly require offseason surgery. The QB also exited the Browns’ Week 10 loss to the Patriots with a knee injury, but that hasn’t forced him to miss any games (and Mayfield has refused to use the knee injury as an excuse for his recent play).

“We all know Baker is incredibly physically tough,” Berry said. “He’s had stretches where he has played well.”

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