The relationship between Browns coach Kevin Stefanski and quarterback Baker Mayfield has been under the microscope lately. It has led to many thinking the QB could be on his way out of town after a bad 2021 season.
Scrutiny comes with the territory of a disappointing season, and the Browns recently finished 8-9 despite their Super Bowl expectations entering 2021.
The team may be running it back with Mayfield for 2022, but the franchise is expected to investigate all their options to improve the quarterback this offseason and one name the team will keep an eye on is Texans star Deshaun Watson.
Bleacher Report listed Watson as a “realistic” trade target for the team this offseason, with the Browns sending a pair of first-round picks, a second-round pick and Mayfield to the Texans.
“Cleveland may want to package its current starter for Watson, with the Texans potentially getting a better version of Mayfield if he returns to full health following his impending shoulder procedure.
It would likely take multiple first-rounders in addition to Mayfield to get a deal done, but Watson—a Pro Bowler in each of his last three seasons—would be a clear upgrade at the position.”
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the target now for the Texans is to trade Watson before the 2022 league year begins on March 16th.
The Browns may very well check on Watson, but the QB calls the shots as he does have a no-trade clause in his contract, and so far, he has only waived it for the Miami Dolphins. They may be off that list after Brian Flores was fired this week, so we will have to wait and see.
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This past Wednesday, Mayfield said he was on track to getting “back to my true self” after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder.
“Surgery went great. Was a complete success,” Mayfield said in a video posted to social media. “Now it’s on to the road to recovery. It’s one of those steps to get back to my true self. … This is not the end of my story.”
Mayfield hobbled to the finish line of the season, passing for 3,010 yards, 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
