Another day, another rumor of Baker Mayfield’s seemingly imminent departure from Cleveland. The former No. 1 pick has appeared destined to leave the Browns since Deshaun Watson’s arrival back in March.
The relationship between Mayfield and Cleveland has long been contentious. Mayfield, the 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year, struggled in 2021, plagued by injuries and inconsistent performances. The Browns dropped like a stone, limping to an 8-9 record — a far cry from the Super Bowl aspirations they held going into the season.
Cleveland’s failings pushed the front office to seek an upgrade under center. The team had their sights on one target: Watson, who missed the entire 2021 season after more than 20 women came forward alleging Watson of inappropriate conduct and sexual assault.
The Browns’ pursuit of Watson seems to have pushed Mayfield over the edge; Mayfield requested a trade away from the team back in March.
Both sides seem desperate for a split; Mayfield sees himself as a starter, while the Browns are set to pay Mayfield $18.9 million in 2022, a hefty fee for a backup.
No team was willing to bite the bullet and bring the former Oklahoma star in before the 2022 NFL Draft. Still, there’s plenty of offseason left — and a few teams who could still use reinforcements in their quarterback position. Here are the latest rumors surrounding Mayfield as he looks for pastures new.
Baker Mayfield trade rumors
The Browns want out of the Mayfield contract
Date: May 3
Source: Diana Russini, ESPN
Diana Russini appeared on ESPN’s The Ryen Russillo Podcast on Tuesday and delved into the Browns’ push for a Mayfield trade — and some of the obstacles to getting a deal done. A big hurdle for prospective buyers may be Mayfield’s contract situation. He’s due $18.9 million in 2022 and becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2023. Mayfield really toiled under center last year; he finished 27th in the league in QBR in 2021 below quarterbacking “luminaries” like Daniel Jones, Taylor Heinicke and Davis Mills.
That’s tied for the 12th-highest contract among the NFL’s gunslingers (tied with Sam Darnold). That sort of contract is not really viable for a player who was one of the worst starting QBs in the league last year. Regardless, the Browns want no part of Mayfield’s deal, according to Russini.
“The Cleveland Browns do not want to take on that contract,” Russini said. “They don’t want to pay for that. I don’t know the number they’re willing to go to—but the last I checked, which was about a week-and-a-half ago—they want nothing to do with that deal. If you want Baker Mayfield, you’re going to pay that money. Cleveland’s not going to try to split it up with you.”
The Seahawks have ‘no interest’ in Mayfield
Date: May 3
Source: Diana Russini, ESPN
One city Mayfield does not appear headed to is Seattle. The Seahawks acquired Drew Lock in the Russell Wilson trade, and although the 2018 second round pick hasn’t quite put it all together over the course of his career, it seems he has earned the trust of Pete Carroll and the front office, at least in the short term.
“The Seahawks have been telling me from Day 1 they have no interest in Baker Mayfield,” Russini said. “They’re riding Drew Lock, which we can talk about that another time. That’s their choice.”
Lock has an 8-13 career record as a starter. He threw a league-leading 15 picks in 13 games in 2020 and lost all three of his starts in 2021 before Teddy Bridgewater took the reins under center for Denver.
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