NFL Draft, 2018, things could not have been better for Baker Mayfield. He was fresh off a Heisman season, a College Football Playoff, and a very impressive Senior Bowl Showing. The Cleveland Browns were on the clock and were hungry for a new face of the franchise. With Jon Dorsey at the helm, Mayfield checked all the production and intangible boxes and made it an easy decision for the Browns who kept their intentions hidden all draft season. Fast forward four years, and turmoil has unfolded.
Mayfield has had an up and down start to his career as a #1 overall selection. He led a helpless Cleveland franchise to a 6-7 record as a starter, who had previously only won one game in two seasons. Along the way he accumulated 3725 yards and 27 TD’s, as opposed to 14 INT’s. That yardage is good for 8th all-time as a rookie, and for TD’s that nets him 2nd all time for rookies. Not too shabby right? Where could this story go wrong. Insert Freddie Kitchens.
The dark horse candidate was the former offensive coordinator who inherited the full-time gig after the team moved on from Hue Jackson, mainly to build on the relationship he had with Baker. His lack of experience in the penultimate leadership role proved to be his downfall as the Browns floundered in the follow up campaign with raised expectations, going 6-10. Mayfield also saw his production suffer as he threw for 3827 yards, with nearly as many INTs as TDs (22TDs:21INTs). Exit stage left, Freddie Kitchens. Insert Kevin Stefanski.
The Franchise has seen an uptick in stability and success under Stefanski, arguably the most in almost 3 decades. However, Baker’s rollercoaster production has continued. Once again, he had a bounce back season in Stefanski’s “2020 NFL Coach of the Year” campaign, posting his career best QBR (65.5) and TD:INT ratio (26:8). The team won its first playoff game in years and pushed the AFC Super Bowl representative Chiefs to the max before coming up short. Mayfield seemed to be blossoming under the new leadership and the Franchise was back and better than ever as they picked up his fifth-year option (Guaranteeing his 2022 Salary).
Injuries derailed Baker’s 2021 season, as he dealt with a Labrum tear in his non-throwing shoulder. Being the gritty, tough individual Mayfield was, he fought through the injury displaying leadership and toughness not often seen from the quarterback position. However, playing with injuries comes at a cost as his on-field play took a dip once again (3010 yards, 17 TDs: 13 INTs). Putting the Cleveland brass in a precarious situation. What should they do with their former #1 overall selection, who seemingly gave stability to a tumultuous organization at their most dire time?
Mayfield was seeking an extension shortly after the team picked up his fifth-year option, seeking a long-termcommitment after what seemed to be a turning point in his career. The franchise however remained cautious when committing to the franchise cornerstone and continued pushing off any agreement. Which brings us to where the team is today. The team pulled off possibly the most controversial trade in the history of the league, bringing in former Pro Bowl Quarterback Deshaun Watson. Who has not played football in over a year, due to combined issues off the field (currently facing 22 civil lawsuits) and his own deteriorated relationship with the Houston Texans.
This has left the writing on the wall for Baker Mayfield. After resurrecting a lost franchise, waiting out the numerous coaching changes, and sacrificing his own health for a team he believed in, they decided to go another route. Rather than ride the roller coaster of production with Baker for another season, they elected for a riskier route that carries a higher ceiling.
A divorce for both parties seems to be the most likely outcome, but both the Browns and Mayfield have placed themselves in an interesting situation, to say the least. The Browns, picking up his fifth-year option, currently have Mayfield on the books for 2022 but now have a new presumed starter. This decision has caused them to lose any leverage they may have in trade talks, for a player who could hit the open market after 2022. Why would any team want to part with valuable draft capital when the Browns have no reason to keep Baker?
Mayfield on the other hand, has not done himself any favors as well. Any progress he made as a player in 2020 was nullified by the bad habits and the physical damage he endured by playing through his labrum tear in 2021. In the wake of the Watson trade, Mayfield has since gone public twice letting all teams know his displeasure with his current situation. In turn, tanking his trade value and displaying the clear rift between player and front office. The message is clear, Mayfield wants nothing to do with the Cleveland organization.
The stare down presumptively will continue into draft night. With the team not willing to part with Mayfield for nothing, while not wanting to pay his 2022 salary as a backup. Other teams see no need to make a move, as they want to call Cleveland’s bluff and save any future draft picks. A draft day trade could prove valuable to both sides. With starting QB jobs drying up, and only becoming sparser after draft weekend. Cleveland could look to get the bare minimum in terms of compensation (5th-6th rounder?) otherwise they could be looking at an outright release (least beneficial as they would pay his full salary).
This narrows the list of suitors. A case can be made for Seattle, Carolina, Detroit, and even Washington to make a move for the former Heisman as their Quarterback rooms are currently shaky at best or could use an influx of competition, if the price is right. One thing remains certain with Baker Mayfield, he has seemingly played his last snaps as Quarterback of the Cleveland Browns. However, he remains fiery as ever and ready to compete. He has had his back against the wall for most of his playing career, and he is not willing to let this setback affect professional playing days. Where the next destination is remains to be seen, but chip has never been bigger on his shoulder.
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