After Cleveland officially announced the Deshaun Watson as its quarterback for next season on Friday, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam took a moment to address a scathing report about the franchise wanting “an adult” quarterback to lead the franchise.
Haslam made it clear that the comment did not come from the team’s ownership.
“We think highly of Baker [Mayfield] and did not get down on him,” Haslam said. “I know there’s a statement that we needed an adult in the room and Baker felt that came from ownership. That’s not true. Nobody can question the 4 years he gave. … We wish him nothing but the best of luck.”
Over a week ago, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that Cleveland and Mayfield were headed toward a breakup regardless if the Browns traded for any quarterback.
“I believe they’re breaking up, regardless of whether or not Deshaun Watson ends up in Cleveland,” Mortensen said. “The one thing I was told is that it’s just not a match emotionally. Whereas Baker Mayfield’s passion and emotional leadership was embraced at Oklahoma, and even in the beginning with the Browns, things have changed and they want what they consider ‘an adult’ at that position and that Baker Mayfield probably is going to be moved.”
Mayfield is expected to be traded. On Tuesday, the Steelers said they would hop on the opportunity to sign Mayfield if Cleveland was to cut him, according to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot.
You’d have to believe he’d jump at the chance to try and stick it to his former team by going to a rival.
