Cleveland Browns, Baker Mayfield. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Baker Mayfield remains on the Cleveland Browns’ roster despite the addition of Deshaun Watson. Here are three options for putting a stop to the saga.
The Cleveland Browns have been embroiled in a quarterback controversy this offseason, and it has to do with the position of quarterback. Baker Mayfield requested a trade from the team while they were in the process of acquiring Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. The Browns turned it down at the time because they didn’t think they’d get Watson. All of that changed when Watson agreed to join Cleveland after the team offered him a $230 million, fully guaranteed contract. The team then gave Mayfield permission to seek a trade.
If Mayfield is still a member of the Browns after Memorial Day weekend, Since the Watson trade, no team has made a move for the quarterback, not even during the NFL Draft. The time for the Browns to make a decision on Mayfield is running out.
The Browns are clearly in a pickle with Mayfield, and here are three possible solutions to their problem.
Baker Mayfield’s problem has three possible solutions, according to the Browns.
3. Wait for the Seahawks or Panthers to bite in trade talks.
When it comes to quarterback situations across the league, the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers appear to be the most hopeless.
As part of their massive return, the Seahawks traded Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos for Drew Lock. Geno Smith, who started last season when Wilson was injured, was re-signed. This year, however, they did not select a single quarterback prospect in the NFL Draft.
Meanwhile, the Panthers look to be focused on giving previous 2018 third-overall pick Sam Darnold another go at starting under center. They also have former Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral on the team after picking him in the third round.
What these two teams have in common is that they have both been linked to Mayfield during the summer. For the Browns, they still have time to play the waiting game, especially when the season approaches. With the NFC seeming like a far easier path to the Super Bowl than the AFC, both teams could become persuaded to bring in Mayfield as their starting quarterback.
Baker Mayfield remains on the Cleveland Browns’ roster despite the addition of Deshaun Watson. Here are three options for putting a stop to the saga.
The Cleveland Browns have been embroiled in a quarterback dispute this summer, and it has to do with the position of quarterback. Baker Mayfield requested a trade from the organization as they were in the process of acquiring Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. The Browns turned it down at the time because they didn’t think they’d acquire Watson. All of that changed when Watson agreed to join Cleveland after the team offered him a $230 million, fully guaranteed contract. The team then gave Mayfield permission to seek a trade.
If Mayfield is still a part of the Browns after Memorial Day weekend, Since the Watson deal, no team has made a move for the quarterback, not even during the NFL Draft. The time for the Browns to make a decision on Mayfield is running out.
The Browns are clearly in a pickle with Mayfield, and here are three possible answers to their problem.
Baker Mayfield’s dilemma has three viable remedies, according to the Browns.
3. Wait for the Seahawks or Panthers to bite in trade talks.
When it comes to quarterback situations across the NFL, the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers appear to be the most hopeless.
As part of their big return, the Seahawks dealt Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos for Drew Lock. Geno Smith, who started last season while Wilson was hurt, was re-signed. This year, though, they did not choose a single quarterback candidate in the NFL Draft.
Meanwhile, the Panthers appear committed to giving Sam Darnold, the former third-overall pick in 2018, another shot at starting at quarterback. Former Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral is also on the roster after being selected in the third round.
The only thing these two teams have in common is that Mayfield has been connected to them throughout the offseason. The Browns still have time to play the waiting game, particularly as the season approaches. Since the NFC seems to have a much easier path to the Super Bowl than the AFC, both teams may be convinced to make Mayfield their starting quarterback.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6): (Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports)
2. Await the start of the offseason
Waiting for the offseason to unfold is another excellent option for Cleveland.
Teams are holding OTAs, and an obligatory minicamp is set to begin in mid-June. After that, there is a small break before training camp begins in late July or early August.
Many things can happen in the weeks leading up to the commencement of the regular season. Unfortunately, there have been cases where teams’ starters have sustained serious injuries. This puts the squad in a difficult situation and causes them to look for a quarterback.
When Teddy Bridgewater went down with a knee injury in 2016, the Minnesota Vikings reached out to the Philadelphia Eagles to complete the trade for Sam Bradford.
Not only that, but there may be times during training camp when an NFL team wants to bring in more options at certain spots.
That could make it easier for the Browns to work out a deal with another team interested in Mayfield.
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.
1. Get rid of Baker Mayfield’s contract completely
This is pretty much the Browns’ last option, and they are not likely to take it.
Early in the offseason, it was reported that the Browns had a high asking price for Mayfield in trade talks. But now that most of the quarterback positions on the team have been filled, they have much less power.
The Browns would gain $18.9 million in cap space if they were able to trade Mayfield. But here’s the thing: it’s not a foregone conclusion that a team will call the Browns to negotiate a trade for the quarterback.
Watson might lose games if he is disciplined by the league for his role in 23 legal cases alleging sexual assault. With Mayfield on his way out, the Browns already have a backup quarterback with starting experience on the roster in Jacoby Brissett, who has a 14-23 career win-loss record.
The Browns may have no choice but to release Mayfield, but they will lose no cap space and will have to pay $18.9 million in dead money in 2022. Nonetheless, this is Cleveland’s final option.