“This is a big part of why he doesn’t have a market” - NFL analyst criticizes Cleveland Browns for not moving on from Baker Mayfield sooner
Analyst Joy Taylor chastised the Cleveland Browns for not trading quarterback Baker Mayfield sooner. On The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Taylor stated that it boiled down to money for Cleveland and what they'd have to give up for Mayfield:
“I think this comes down to the money and what they'd have to give up for Baker, which obviously if you're Seattle, you don't want to give up anything. And really, both of these teams and anyone around the league, and this is a big part of why he doesn't have a market. It's not that people don't think he's going to come back healthy. That's not the situation."
Taylor went on to state that Mayfield's personality is a significant reason why he's not traded.
"I think the personality part is a big part of it and also that they know the Browns don't really have any leverage, like the Browns signed Deshaun Watson to $230 million guaranteed they gave away all their leverage in negotiating with Baker.”
Taylor concluded her point by stating that if the team moved Mayfield before giving Deshaun Watson the $230 million guaranteed, it'd be a different situation.
“Had they moved Baker before that Deshaun Watson contract? Yeah, it might have been a different situation. And also, the money that Baker is going to demand because they picked up his option in his rookie contract. He's due 18 million, almost 19 million... it's nothing when you look around the league at what franchise quarterbacks are demanding right now. But you don't want to give anything up for an unknown situation in Baker."
Cleveland traded for Watson this offseason to replace Mayfield as the starting quarterback.
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Teams that could still be interested in Mayfield's services are the Seattle Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers. But it remains to be seen if either team will make a move for him.
Baker Mayfield and his career with the Browns
Mayfield was drafted with the No. 1 overall pick in 2018 by the Browns. He finished runner-up in the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, throwing for 3,725 yards and 27 touchdowns.
A Baker Mayfield trade to the #Panthers remains a realistic possibility; he's 100% recovered and will be full-go for training camp: #Browns Insider
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In the 2020 season, he led Cleveland to the playoffs, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wildcard round, before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round.
Last season, he started 14 games for Cleveland, throwing for 3,010 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. It remains to be seen where the 27-year-old will play his fifth season in the NFL.
If you use any of the quotes above, please credit The Herd with Colin Cowherd and H/T Sportskeeda.