It appears the Baker Mayfield era has come to an end with the Cleveland Browns. His final numbers: 92 touchdown passes, a 29-30 record, and more wins as a starter than anyone in franchise history since Bernie Kosar left town in 1993.
He’s still under contract for 2022, but his services will not be needed. The Browns, in search of “an adult” to take over their quarterback position, will reportedly turn to Deshaun Watson, a man who is both younger than Mayfield and facing 22 sexual misconduct civil lawsuits. Cleveland is expected to grant Mayfield’s trade request, giving him a shot at a fresh start elsewhere:
Browns will now work to trade Baker Mayfield. Seahawks, Colts are teams Mayfield would be interested in joining, per a league source
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 18, 2022
Mayfield is far from perfect, but he’s not without good qualities. In 2020, he led the Browns to their only postseason victory since being revived as a franchise, hanging 48 points on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the process. That momentum was curtailed by a 2021 torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder and an unfortunate regression that ultimately led to his ousting in Ohio.
But in a market where broken toy Carson Wentz can command two third-round draft selections and a second-round pick swap, Mayfield will have value. He only has one more season on his contract at a reasonable $18.8 million. In a league with an underwhelming crop of rookie passers set to be drafted and where Mitchell Trubisky is currently penciled in as the Steelers’ starter, Mayfield will still play a role.
Where? Let’s talk about it.