On Sunday morning, Cleveland Browns fans woke to Mary Kay Cabot’s report that quarterback Baker Mayfield was potentially going to sit out the 2022 season if not traded.
Baker Mayfield had no intentions of playing for the #Browns in 2022, which may have revived the Deshaun Watson trade. He was prepared to sit out offseason program, minicamp, training camp & more if that's what it took: Browns Insider https://t.co/awZQPVKQmu
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 20, 2022
It is worth noting that Mayfield is still under contract with the Browns and has yet to be traded, but the way this situation is spiraling, a trade or other roster move could be imminent.
Here is how the NFL world reacted to the news that Mayfield planned a boycott.
A sampling of the reactions is included below.
Baker Burned The Bridge
One person pointed out that Mayfield must have created locker room and team issues for the Browns to reach this point.
This is an ugly situation, and we may not even know half of it.
More could come out after he is traded.
AB is no fool and I think BM has really pissed off the front office and ownership. They will trade him but on THEIR terms.
I bet more will come out about the #OBJ /#BakerMayfield situation & I see lots of jelly on Bakers face ✔️ https://t.co/mgwOVk3ljd pic.twitter.com/AeParm5YCR— Purple Noodles (@VintagePasta) March 20, 2022
Many feel as though his trade value is plummeting the longer this goes on.
Baker Mayfield is not worth a seventh round pic! He’s a locker room cancer, and coach killer! https://t.co/lDxg5whEkk
— Stoics of The Land (@BrownsStoics216) March 20, 2022
Baker Has A Fractured Fan Base Behind Him
Mayfield was a polarizing figure before all of this happened.
This just makes things worse on that front as fans have extremely different opinions on him.
https://twitter.com/Nftmaniack/status/1505547645133197313
Sooner Nation stands with him.
Baker, you have a portable fan base. Wherever you play, Sooner Nation will follow and cheer you on as you energize any team and any crowd. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
— Deb Handy (@Minette2Minerva) March 20, 2022
Will We Ever Know The True Story?
There are two sides to every story, and the media is attempting to decipher some of it using unnamed sources.
One person notes that we may never get to the bottom of how so much dysfunction came into play to erode the relationship between Mayfield and the Browns.
I don't believe anyone in the Browns organization has officially said one negative thing about Mayfield. All of this is media generated. If info was leaked and any of this is true I wish they'd name their sources. But they won't and we'll never know the complete truth.
— CRUdog15 (@CornPopper12) March 20, 2022
Conclusion
Both the Browns and Mayfield benefitted from their partnership over the past four seasons.
Things were far from perfect, but there were some big moments like the 2020 playoff run.
Hopefully, Mayfield gets to a new team and can flourish just as the Browns plan to do with Deshaun Watson as their QB1.
There is room for both parties to grow and succeed, but definitely on separate teams.
NEXT: Report: Mayfield Wasn't Going To Play For Browns In 2022
Greendog says
I wish Baker well. He was a great asset for Cleveland. He toughed it out last year when most qb’s would have hung it up. I respect that. I hope the organization has not given up too soon on him.
I hope Baker is successful whomever he plays for, except when he plays the Brownski’s 😉.
Good Luck Baker !!!
Gr!!! says
Baker needs to grow up…and learn..this is a business..he got paid ..and got commercials.and hasn’t really earned all of it…so be thankful
Beth says
Treating Watson like a hero,savior instead of the sick pervert he is ,makes me want to puke.
Nfl will hire a few more token females,promote thier “female” months blah blah but still allow billionaire. Owners and star qbs to degrade and humiliate females everyday and that’s not alright,it’s sick
John says
Agreed 100% 1 infraction based on “standard” should be a 6 game suspension. 22X6 = 132 games. Which comes out to 7 year suspension. I say if he “rehabs” for 7 years lets give the man a shot. Watson for 2029! Can’t wait.
Chris wagner says
I wonder who these women are who have made these allegations nowadays thousands of women sale other products under the label of a massage.these are known facts.l do believe there’s more that might not get exposed.same old trash on display,but really BIGTIME
Ravens fan says
I wish Baker nothing but the best! I’m not a Browns fan, but one things for sure IT SEEMS LIKE WHEN YOU LEAVE CLEVELAND YOU GET BETTER AND GET A RING!
Lolly says
That is verifiable.
Nancy Reda says
I think it is wrong what they did to Baker, they went behind his back, another Modell way.
22 women do not lie in my eyes, should have gave Baker another try this year
Once again Money talks and bullshit walks
Gdog says
Gotta think of how dirty these Asian women are.
What about their past and true motivations
Kt says
That’s why baker is walking?
Anonymous says
22wonen can & will like for money!
Brenda says
Baker Mayfield played all season hurt. He did not have to, he wanted to, it was his job.
But somewhere along the line the coaches should have stepped in, and stopped him from playing and let him heal. But hell no, let’s use this kid up, then throw him to the side and bring in a pervert and promise and guarantee him millions. Treated Mayfield horrible.
Anonymous says
You just put down the same as I have been angry about the Baker was treated. And the way the Be Browns owner is showing so much Love to the pervert Watson just makes me angry too the point that I to my fan card is storage until the pervert is no longer on the team.
S Brown
Deanna says
I AGREE WITH YOU COMPLETELY. HE PLAYED HURT BECAUSE HE WANTED TO WIN. THE COACH SHOULD NOT OF LET HIM PLAY. HE HURT HIMSELF AND HE HURT THE TEAM.
WHY DO WE HAVE A BACKUP QUARTER QUARTER BACK ANYWAY?????
MAYFIELD SHOULD OF BEEN GIVEN A CHANCE, INSTEAD YOU SIGNED WATSON WITH ALL HIS BAGGAGE.
Nonya says
I’ve been a Browns fam all my life, and I con not, for the life of me, figure out how the ownership and management/coaching teams seem to d!@k this up year after year. Baker was a walk-on that won a Heisman, and Cleveland couldn’t get it done. Now, you have a kid that won 28, lost 25, and is looking at, at LEAST, a six game suspension. Houston is seen as a shrewd trader, but more likely Cleveland just pulled the dumbest stunt in a history of dumb stunts.
But, as always, I look forward to next season. Only this time I’m going to savor the poop pop sickle, as I can not fathom what these “professional” football managers are thinking.
Always next year says
With all the baggage Watson brings with him it’s beyond comprehension.When the inevitable suspension is handed down will it be a just sentence. I doubt it. But all will be forgotten if he can produce . Shame on the front office.
Plumber Mayfield says
The Browns are the best at inventing new and creative ways of messing things up.
Anonymous says
One he hasn’t been charged of nothing two baker did it to himself he even made hooper look bad throwing hard as he’ll when he 5 yards out no touch on his past can’t hit the open man he had ok first season thought he won the super bowl all you have to do to cleveland is put 8 men in the box and ask baker to beat you and he can’t that what’s wrong with cleveland fans loser attitude especially since 1999 don’t know if DeShawn is the answer but baker is sure not
CadillacBlack says
When you are used to eating dirt, a spam sandwich will taste like a gourmet meal to you…and you cant imagine anything tasting better. Baker Mayfield is Spam! he only seems like a good QB because Browns fans are used to having bums at QB. Once they get a taste of Watson, most will forget about that Spam QB we used to have.
Black man says
It’s very funny how you have the owner of the Dallas Cowboys who film women with their phones taking her clothes off putting it on they settle for millions of dollars and no one is talking about that but everyone is dragging Dish man’s name through the mud I’m not condonent at all but he did it is wrong inc considerate and downright pitiful but if you go dog one you have to dog everybody that comes along with this
TOM says
Good luck Baker. Leaving the mistake by the lake is a good career move. Baker played injured most of the year and gave it its all. Browns are dysfunctional. He is more of an adult compared to Deshawn.
Frank says
The Browns had better hope that Watson is a success. They have pissed off much of their fan base and mortgaged the future of the team..