Baker Mayfield does not want to play for the Cleveland Browns. The Cleveland Browns don’t want him there either. This is all the result of a very public divorce in which the Browns reportedly decided they wanted “an adult” at quarterback and then traded for a guy who was, at the time, facing 22 civil lawsuits (now reportedly 26) for sexual misconduct.
Like any messy uncoupling, there’s no easy way out. Mayfield played hurt last season and tanked his value to quarterback-needy teams — of which there are only a couple this summer. Cleveland, by virtue of dealing for Deshaun Watson, signing Jacoby Brissett and excusing Mayfield from offseason practices, has made it very clear he isn’t part of the team’s future. The most logical conclusion to this story sees the Browns selling at a loss: either taking whatever deal they can get for the former top overall pick or cutting him outright to end whatever tension remains between the player and his team.
This is not what the Cleveland Browns want to do.
