It is possible that the Baker Mayfield situation could get messier before it gets cleaned up for the Cleveland Browns. The timeline of his career in Cleveland is fascinating:
- #1 overall pick
- Leads team to victory to open the “Victory Fridges”
- Has had four head coaches
- Led the team to the playoffs in 2020
- Led the team to a playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Hurt his non-throwing shoulder in Week 2 of 2021
- Hurt it again, and worse, in Week 6
- Drama surrounding Odell Beckham Jr. led to the receiver’s departure
- 2021 ends as the worst statistical season of his four year career
- The team pursues Deshaun Watson, Mayfield asks for a trade
- The Browns trade for Watson, a clear upgrade at quarterback with significant off the field concerns
- Kevin Stefanski would like a quick resolution to the Mayfield situation
- Mayfield runs a throwing session in Austin with non-Browns receivers
(There may be a number of other noteworthy events in his four seasons.)
With the open of Cleveland’s offseason to start on April 19th, the Browns could still have Mayfield on the roster. Now comes news that the quarterback will be speaking about what is going on in Cleveland on a podcast:
"Baker Mayfield would have been the QB for the Browns if they didn't trade for Deshaun Watson.. the Browns are gonna have to eat some of that salary to move him" ~@RapSheet#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/gLisRrWMel
— WrestleMania Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 1, 2022
According to a post on Instagram, Mayfield will speak on the “Ya Neva Know: you know what I mean?” podcast which comes out “every Wednesday to discuss the adversity they overcame to turn their dreams into reality.”
Given the concerns following his post to Cleveland and requesting a trade when Watson had already ruled out the Browns, something Joe Thomas called “overplaying his hand,” what he says will be scrutinized by fans, media and NFL teams. It is possible that Mayfield will hear from his representatives that the podcast appearance, no matter what he says, is not seen as a positive around the league but that may not sway him.
For the Browns, as Ian Rapoport notes in his time after Pat McAfee drops the podcast news, getting anything in return for Mayfield will be a win at this point. The team will also have to pay some of his contract to accomplish that goal, according to Rapoport.
It will be interesting what Mayfield chooses to disclose during his time on the podcast. We will cover what he says and how it relates to the Browns when it is posted.
