Baker Mayfield wants out of Cleveland

James Johnson

March 27, 2022

Current Cleveland Browns starting quarterback Baker Mayfield wants out after the organization decided to sign former Texan Deshaun Watson. After another upsetting season, the Browns organization have made the decision to move onto to a new franchise quarterback. With Baker Mayfield’s career in question the team have brought in other key players hoping to win a championship. Many NFL franchises are still in search of a franchise quarterback but are afraid to take a gamble on 4-year veteran Mayfield. After having much success at the collegiate level many analysts began to speculate if Mayfield’s career in the NFL was a disappointment. Now that Baker Mayfield wants out of Cleveland what teams will take a chance on signing the former Heisman trophy winner.

Mayfield has unique story dating all the way to back to his days at Texas Tech before transferring to the University of Oklahoma. The Austin, Texas native became a walk-on for the Texas Tech Raiders after finishing his high school career at Lake Travis High School. As a true freshman Baker threw for 2,315 passing yards, 12 touchdown passes and 9 INT’s. His time with the Raiders was short lived based upon his relationship with the coaching staff. Going into his sophomore season he transferred to the University of Oklahoma to finish collegiate career. Mayfield would sit out the whole 2014 season because of ineligibility but would start all 13 games in 2015. Mayfield became a Heisman finalist in his first season for the Sooners. He finished the with 3,700 passing yards, 36 touchdowns and rushed for 405 yards. He was considered by some to be a dual threat with his ability to extend plays with his legs.

During Baker Mayfield’s college football career many fans and media members have criticized him for being arrogant because of his antics on the field. Despite his on-field shenanigans Mayfield would find a way to get his job done when called upon. The Oklahoma Sooners went on to have great success in the 2016 and 2017 seasons simply because Mayfield’s play on the field. Mayfield had a completion percentage of 70.9, threw 40 touchdown passes and rushed 6 touchdowns. Before the end of his junior season, he led his team to the Sugar Bowl defeating Auburn. In his senior year with the Sooners Baker would once again find himself getting into more trouble antagonizing players & coaches from the opposite teams. After being held accountable for his actions Mayfield would put majority of his focus on winning football games.

After a phenomenal senior season Mayfield would receive multiple awards for his performance in 2017 winning the Heisman Trophy, Big-12 offensive player of the year award, and first team All-American. Many NFL scouts were impressed by his body of work over throughout the course of his collegiate career. His win against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Rose Bowl was the cherry on top before entering the 2018 NFL draft. A lot of questions were raised whether Mayfield could lead an NFL franchise to a championship. Some were unsure if his style of play could translate to the pro level. Going into the draft he was projected to be the number one overall pick. According to football analytics he was undersized, with average throwing strength but has the heart of a lion.

The Cleveland Browns would pick Baker Mayfield with the number one overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft hoping he can bring new life to the organization. Immediately the team began to make moves in the offseason to help compliment Mayfield going into his rookie season. Head coach at the time Hugh Jackson was not fond of the rookie quarterback going into training camp. Jackson who is an old school style coach benched Mayfield hoping he could humble the rookie due to all the conflicts he caused at Oklahoma. The former Heisman trophy winner wanted to prove to his coaches and teammates that he could lead this franchise in new directions. Mayfield sat behind starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor until week 3 with Taylor going down with an injury. Mayfield would take over as the starting quarterback would go onto break the rookie passing touchdown record throwing 27 TD’s. The team would finish the season with 6-8 record.

In the 2019 season Mayfield became the official starter for the Cleveland Browns playing all 16 games and throwing for a career-high 3,827 passing yards. The team would have another disappointing season going 6-10. NFL analysts began to doubt Mayfield’s inability to lead his team to a winning record. With new acquisitions at the running back position and a solid defense the team would turn it around winning 11 games with only 5 losses in the 2020 season clinching a playoff berth in almost 20 years. Mayfield would have his first win in a shootout with Ben Roethlisberger in a wild card match-up. The team would take down the Pittsburgh Steelers in a high scoring game but would get routed in the second round to the defending champions Kansas City Chiefs. Going into the 2021 season fans were hoping the Browns could top what they did in the season before but with the departure of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and Baker Mayfield’s injuries the team began to fall apart. After going 6-8 it was clear that the franchise was ready to move in another direction.

After former Pro-Bowler Deshaun Watson was cleared of all charges Cleveland would pursue the young talent to hopefully bring success to their franchise. With Baker Mayfield pushed to the side teams aren’t as interested in signing him to be their starting quarterback. Teams like the Seahawks, Panthers and the Giants are need of a new starting quarterback. Mayfield can fulfill those obligations, but league owners are not sure if he is the guy to do the job. It’s not surprising that Baker Mayfield wants out of Cleveland if they are willing to trade him to a team where can be an asset.

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Baker Mayfield requests trade from Browns after Deshaun Watson bid (usatoday.com)