by Content created by Kavan Flavius
This NFL offseason has already thrown up some shocking moves, with the likes of Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill changing teams while Aaron Rodgers, who was expected to leave Green Bay, actually signed a new deal with the Packers.
Another surprise came in the form of Tom Brady’s quick return from retirement and it’s likely that there are going to be a few more groundbreaking developments by the time next season begins. What’s not going to be surprising, though, is Baker Mayfield exiting the Cleveland Browns.
The quarterback has been the subject of rumors for a few weeks now and it is expected that the Browns will either release or trade him following their acquisition of Deshaun Watson. There’s no telling where he will play should that happen but an unnamed personnel executive operating in the NFC reckons he will find success wherever he goes.
“I’m a fan of him,” the exec told Fansided’s Matt Lombardo. “I think he’s going to be a good player. Wherever he ends up, I think Baker has the chance to be the Comeback Player of The Year. Two years ago, he went to Pittsburgh and won a playoff game, almost beat Kansas City in Kansas City in the Divisional round, and that was just two years ago. Guys don’t just get bad.”
While the exec also has no idea where the QB will end up, they have identified Seattle as a team that would most benefit from Mayfield’s availability.
“There’s no doubt that Baker Mayfield is Seattle’s best option,” the executive added. “He’s only 26 years old. Is he a headstrong guy? Is he a prideful guy? Absolutely, bigger than life, and that’s alright. Pete Carroll can corral that in. That’s what he’s good at.”
Writing off Baker Mayfield is a mistake. pic.twitter.com/9eC23spMht
— Cris Collinsworth (@CollinsworthPFF) March 31, 2022
The Browns’ odds of winning the Super Bowl next year have gone down to 18/1 since they brought Watson in, and fans keen on expert opinions could also check out some of these handy NFL Picks on offer. The Buffalo Bills are the current favorites for Super Bowl glory at 7/1 while the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are right behind at 9/1.
While Mayfield has requested a trade and the Browns have already brought in his replacement, team GM Andrew Berry claimed to be unaware as to when or if the player will even be traded.
“I think as we look at the quarterback room, we have three good players at the most important position in sports,” Berry said, via The Athletic, this week (H/T Sports Illustrated). “That’s not to say that there aren’t things that we’re going to work through over the course of the next several months, but I don’t view it as a bad situation at all. We feel like we have three good ones, and a lot of teams are still looking for one guy, so you don’t mind being deep there and we’ll take it as it goes.”
Mayfield’s salary is believed to be part of the reason why he has not yet been traded. Berry steered clear of a direct answer when quizzed on whether Cleveland will pay part of the quarterback’s $18.86 million to get a trade over the line.
“I wouldn’t really get into that type of speculation,” he replied. “But the reality of it is, quarterbacks are valuable. Baker’s a good player and you can’t have enough good players on your roster. We’ve already planned to make it work and we’ll just see how the next few weeks go.”
He added that the Browns aren’t looking to rush a deal and are keeping their options open when it comes to the player’s future.
“I wouldn’t say we have a specific timetable for the QB room,” he offered. “Baker is a professional, he’s under contract, and we have the (cap) flexibility whether he’s on the roster or not. So, we don’t really feel pressed to rush into anything that’s suboptimal.”
Meanwhile, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is hoping for a quick resolution.
“I think everyone understands the situation, and we’re hoping that it is resolved soon,” Stefanski said, per ESPN. “It’s a unique situation. We’ve got to see how it plays out. I think of all of us would love an answer yesterday, but that’s not the reality of it.”
Cleveland’s voluntary offseason conditioning program begins on April 19 in Berea, Ohio, and Stefanski expects Watson and backup Jacoby Brisset to be there, though he is aware that the latter may be called upon to start for a part of the campaign should the NFL suspend Watson following an investigation into sexual assault and sexual misconduct accusations brought about by 22 women.
“That’s something we’ve spoken about,” Stefanski revealed. “Until we know that final answer – we’re speaking in hypotheticals right now – but we’ve got to be ready whenever a decision is made, potentially to go with Jacoby, or not. So we’ll wait and see what the league has.”
A Texas grand jury investigation, the second of its kind, determined Watson should not be charged criminally. Brazoria County’s top prosecutor announced as much last Thursday, declaring the matter closed.
“After a careful and thorough review of the facts and evidence documented in the reports prepared by the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office and the Houston Police Department, as well as hearing testimony from witnesses, the Grand Jury for Brazoria County has declined to charge Deshaun Watson with any crimes,” District Attorney Tom Selleck wrote.
“Accordingly, this matter is closed,” Selleck added.
The statement did not say which allegations were taken into consideration.
“We are thrilled that the Brazoria County grand jury cleared Deshaun Watson of the one remaining criminal allegation,” Watson’s head attorney Rusty Hardin said in a statement. “We’ve known all along what people who learn the facts also know – Deshaun committed no crimes.”
The quarterback is still facing 22 civil suits, however.
As for Mayfield, the Pittsburgh Steelers were initially thought to be interested but, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, the Tennessee Titans and the Buccaneers could also have an interest in acquiring the player.
“Getting the temperature on Baker Mayfield…and, man, I gotta tell ya, there’s interest in that guy.”@CharlesRobinson and @shalisemyoung talk about possible 2023 options for Baker on You Pod to Win the Game.
Apple: https://t.co/EViGKyqRcN
Spotify: https://t.co/5bW5UKADH7 pic.twitter.com/a8piSOggCA— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 30, 2022
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That he’s playing on his fifth-year option makes it very bad business for the Browns to keep Mayfield if he isn’t going to play and Tennessee does seem a great option as Ryan Tannehill is set to leave next season. The current Cleveland star would certainly make an appealing prospect if Tannehill has a bad season.
Tampa Bay was also thrown into the mix as Brady might only be available for another year, with the veteran likely to retire for good or possibly even play for another team after the 2022/23 season.
Plenty of teams could do with a Baker Mayfield right now but, given that everyone knows the Browns want to deal him, he doesn’t have much trade value.
It will be quite interesting to see how this plays out but it does appear that there will be a resolution sooner rather than later.
As a player, Mayfield has proven he has what it takes to be one of the very best and seems to have a penchant for raising his game when he’s counted out. Clearly, his future isn’t in Cleveland, a move might just be what he needs to fulfill his potential in the NFL.
I hope Baker wins a Superbowl