The 2022 NFL Draft is over and quarterback Baker Mayfield is still with the Cleveland Browns.
There’s no sense staying with the team that drafted him first overall in the 2018 draft, especially with Deshaun Watson joining the AFC North squad.
However, the trade market for him remained relatively dry despite some interest from the Seattle Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers.
They were the only two teams that publicly declared their desire to get a play-caller.
While both squads showed interest in the former Heisman Trophy winner, no deal materialized.
Those two teams might have been discouraged by Mayfield’s struggles last season.
If they’re not sure that Mayfield is their long-term solution, there’s no sense trading for him.
After all, his nearly $19 million fifth-year option salary makes him a cap casualty at this stage of the offseason.
Teams are starting to build their training camp rosters and have no significant cap space to spend.
On his part, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said that he is in no rush trading away Mayfield.
But the longer it happens, the more that it might create a locker room distraction.
However, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson had an update regarding a potential trade for Mayfield.
I spoke to a source from a team that expressed interest in Baker Mayfield, had talks, but they cooled not wanting to pay asking price feeling he has to be cut. Their follow-up comment tonight: “no one’s trying to do the #Browns any favors in this situation.” #ThisIsRidiculous
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) May 6, 2022
Anderson shared, “I spoke to a source from a team that expressed interest in Baker Mayfield, had talks, but they cooled not wanting to pay asking price feeling he has to be cut.”
The source added, “No one’s trying to do the #Browns any favors in this situation.”
The Browns Did This To Themselves
The Browns should have informed Mayfield that they were hatching up a plan to acquire Watson.
Initially, the Pro Bowl quarterback removed Cleveland as his likely destination.
But he couldn’t say no to a five-year, $230 million full-guaranteed deal.
As they acquired Watson, Mayfield was pushed on the side and without certainty that he will play again.
Therefore, the Browns shot themselves in the foot and no NFL team wants to bail them out.
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