Baker Mayfield has been one of the hottest topics of the NFL offseason following a statement he released on Tuesday night. Many saw that statement as him saying goodbye to the Cleveland Browns organization and their fanbase.
That was when reports had come out that the Browns were interested in trading for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.
It has since come out that the Browns will not be trading for Watson, which now leaves Mayfield’s relationship with the team on rocky terms.
Browns notified they’re out of the running on Deshaun Watson, per team official.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2022
Many reliable sources, including ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, have said that the Browns and Mayfield are “breaking up” and that the team wants a more mature quarterback as the face of their franchise going forward.
Things came to a boiling point on Thursday, with reports that Mayfield has officially requested a trade from the Browns.
#Browns QB Baker Mayfield has requested a trade, per sources.
Cleveland has been hoping to move forward after its Deshaun Watson pursuit and offered to fly to Texas to meet with Mayfield. But from the QB’s perspective, the bridge is burned and it’s time to move on now.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 17, 2022
Mayfield had this to say on the situation to ESPN on Thursday.
“It’s in the mutual interest of both sides for us to move on. The relationship is too far gone to mend. It’s in the best interests of both sides to move on.”
Baker Mayfield just told ESPN: “It’s in the mutual interest of both sides for us to move on. The relationship is too far fine to mend. It’s in the best interests of both sides to move on.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2022
Despite reports that the Browns may be done with Mayfield, they will reportedly not accommodate his trade request going forward.
#Browns have told Baker Mayfield's agent they are NOT accomodating his request, a league source tells clevelanddotcom
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 17, 2022
The drama-filled relationship between the Browns and Mayfield has gotten the NFL world talking, with many taking Mayfield’s side in the situation.
The gets more hilarious by the minute. https://t.co/2EVgmwoFh8
— Ed Greenberger (@EdGreenberger) March 17, 2022
“Don’t worry, we’re dying to trade you, but we want to create some leverage. Do you see what’s going on with the 49ers?” https://t.co/uH5BSnCvoQ
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) March 17, 2022
The Browns go behind Mayfield's back and try and replace him but Mayfield can't request a trade after that happens.
The Browns organization is a mess. https://t.co/zaZpYJoNEp
— Steelers Takeaways 🌗 (@PittsburghSport) March 17, 2022
It’s a stand off https://t.co/1VAX4f9GKd
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) March 17, 2022
Baker needs to repost the viral video that got OBJ out of Cleveland. https://t.co/KPpEJ6V2aj
— Wildes (@kevinwildes) March 17, 2022
https://twitter.com/Kofie/status/1504543501157126151
It is obviously a tricky situation. But however you feel about Mayfield, it does feel wrong for the Browns to go and talk with Watson, and then not request Mayfield’s trade request when negotiations for Watson don’t go well.
They have made it pretty clear that they don’t see Baker as their starting quarterback. Baker’s comments may be dead-on, and it may be time for both sides to move on.
However, it looks like this situation has the possibility to get real ugly if the Browns don’t honor Mayfield’s trade request this offseason. If Mayfield is traded, he has reportedly said that his preferred destination is the Indianapolis Colts. This could be a situation to monitor this offseason.
[Mary Kay Cabot on Twitter]
