Jan 9, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) walks off the field with the team before the game between the Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Has Baker Mayfield played his last game with the Cleveland Browns? A statement he released has many NFL fans thinking so.

Mayfield issued a statement on Tuesday night on Twitter. And while it wasn’t specifically a farewell letter, much of the language used in it would indicate that his time in Cleveland might be up.

It can’t be ignored that the Browns have a reported interest in Deshaun Watson. In fact, Mayfield’s statement came shortly after Jake Trotter of ESPN reported that the Browns had concluded their meeting with Watson.

The timing of the statement in relation to the meeting with Watson did not go unnoticed.

Of course, the Browns aren’t the only team said to be interested in Watson. So, a meeting, even if it went well, wouldn’t necessarily mean that he’s on his way to Cleveland.

But others read Mayfield’s statement as a farewell to the Browns and their fans, regardless of what happens with Watson.

Others were left puzzled, wondering what the next step will be. Though, even among the people who didn’t read too much into Mayfield’s statement, the general consensus was that something big is about to happen.

Mayfield’s tenure in Cleveland hasn’t been smooth. He’s suffered through injuries — notably in 2021. But he was also taking over a team that went 0-16 the season before he was drafted and 1-15 the year before that. Beyond those two seasons, the Browns had not reached the playoffs since 2002 and hadn’t won a playoff game since 1994. Both of those changed with Mayfield under center.

The Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17 of the 2020 season to clinch a playoff spot. Then, in a Wild Card Weekend rematch between the two teams, Cleveland again beat Pittsburgh, with Mayfield throwing for three touchdown passes in a 48-37 victory.

With all of that in mind, several on Twitter thanked Mayfield for his contributions.

Mayfield also got support from another former Cleveland quarterback, Bernie Kosar.

We don’t know if this is the end of Mayfield’s time in Cleveland. If it is, he was only there for a short time, four seasons. But he clearly made a big impression in that time.

About Michael Dixon

About Michael:
-- Writer/editor for thecomeback.com and awfulannouncing.com.
-- Bay Area born and raised, currently living in the Indianapolis area.
-- Twitter:
@mfdixon1985 (personal).
@michaeldixonsports (work).
-- Email: mdixon@thecomeback.com
Send tips, corrections, comments and (respectful) disagreements to that email. Do the same with pizza recommendations, taco recommendations and Seinfeld quotes.