Mayfield and the Browns had a disappointing 2021 season. They finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs after reaching the AFC Divisional Round in 2020. Mayfield threw for a career-low 3,010 yards and 17 touchdowns in 14 starts.
After the season, Mayfield had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
According to ESPN’s Jake Trotter, Mayfield was losing faith in Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski as the 2021 season went on.
“As Mayfield was losing confidence in himself, he had also begun losing faith in Stefanski, according to multiple sources, even though the two had thrived the year before during Cleveland’s unexpected playoff run,” Trotter wrote.
Trotter added that Mayfield called out Stefanski’s game plan following their loss to the Steelers where he was sacked numerous times.
He has been in a standoff with the organization after requesting a trade in March. The Browns acquired Deshaun Watson in a trade with the Houston Texans, but Mayfield’s request was made before the deal was agreed on.
Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, has one year remaining on his rookie contract. He has thrown for 14,125 yards and 92 touchdowns with a 61.6 completion percentage in 60 career games.
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The biggest holdup on his trade is that other teams do not want to pay his nearly $19 million salary for the 2022 season. The Browns also do not want to pay it, but they have no choice as other teams could simply wait for them to release him or they could keep him on the roster.
The Browns will be in a tough spot as Deshaun Watson is sure to be suspended for a couple of games by the league. Mayfield might see himself in the starting lineup.
