Baker Mayfield is all but a lock to depart the Browns ahead of the 2022 NFL season, or at least that seemed like the case once the team traded for Deshaun Watson.
All signs still point to the former No. 1 overall pick playing elsewhere, but it remains hard to do that if no teams are showing much interest in taking him on. Mayfield and the Browns have publicly addressed the inevitable split., yet, no obvious trade partner has emerged.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports that the Browns have no plans to cut QB Baker Mayfield, even if he remains on the roster during training camp.
Mayfield did not show up to voluntary OTAs and is still hoping to facilitate a trade out of Cleveland. If he decides to skip the mandatory minicamp, he could forfeit around $95,000 for the three-day period.
ESPN previously reported earlier this month that the Browns have been “unwilling to negotiate Mayfield’s release,” leaving the veteran in limbo.
Cleveland engaged the Panthers on draft weekend about a potential trade, but unsuccessfully attempted to have Carolina absorb “a significant portion” of that cap hit, per ESPN’s Jake Trotter. The trade talks with Carolina died as soon as the Panthers spent a third-round draft pick on Mississippi QB Matt Corral.
In 2021, Mayfield appeared in 14 games and completed 60.5 percent of his passes for 3,010 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He also rushed for 134 yards and a touchdown.
