Could the Cleveland Browns 2022 offseason get any crazier?
The answer could be yes if Andrew Fillipponi’s reporting turns out to be true.
Fillipponi, citing Anthony Lima host of 92.3 The Fan as his source, says the Browns could keep Baker Mayfield on the roster indefinitely, perhaps even through the beginning of training camp.
From the Browns flagship station @SportsBoyTony says on @937theFan that the Browns will likely keep Baker Mayfield until after the draft. And could be on the team at the start of training camp!
Wow.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) April 21, 2022
That would mean that the Browns would go to training camp in late July with four quarterbacks on the roster.
In addition to Mayfield, there would be Deshaun Watson, Jacoby Brissett, and Joshua Dobbs.
That could be extremely awkward for everyone involved.
Not A Surprising Thought
Despite the fact it would be weird, it is not a surprising thought.
The Browns want to trade Mayfield, preferably to an NFC team, and they want at least one viable draft pick in return.
Currently, the draft market for Mayfield is at an all-time low.
The Browns needed to trade Baker Mayfield before the ink dried on Deshaun Watson’s contract. Instead, they trashed Baker in the media, aided in killing his trade value and are stuck with a QB they don’t want. pic.twitter.com/cqsnSXCWP9
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 22, 2022
This is the result of many factors including Mayfield’s contract situation (fifth-year option worth $18 million), his health (recovering from January shoulder surgery), and the fact that NFL teams do not want to work with the Browns on a Mayfield trade because they are not happy with how the Browns structured the Watson contract.
NFL Owners in no rush to help #Browns in deal for Baker Mayfieldhttps://t.co/uuVh9sW8QY
— Brandon Little (@BrandonLittleBL) April 20, 2022
All of these factors are working against Mayfield and the Browns from moving on from this bizarre slow-motion breakup.
Browns Playing The Waiting Game
The Browns are operating under the assumption that Mayfield’s trade value will increase as teams get closer to the kickoff of the 2022 NFL season in September.
Injuries and other issues could impact team rosters which would make a trade more likely.
Baker Mayfield to Pittsburgh? 👀 pic.twitter.com/m5EneRosWi
— PFF (@PFF) April 20, 2022
The Browns are not eager to release Mayfield for fear that it will unleash a situation they cannot control which is Mayfield being signed by an AFC competitor, most notably the Pittsburgh Steelers who would reportedly be interested in Mayfield if he is cut.
And so the waiting game continues.
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Trade D’Ernest Johnson and Baker to Seattle for pick 41 and pay $8 million of
his salary. They need a QB.
No way I would give up a starting QB and RB for a second round pick plus give up $8 million to do it, Especially given the fact (which Seattle doesn’t necessarily agree with) that they need a QB. We have time to let things settle and depending on the timing of Watson’s suspension it might benefit both the Browns and Baker to have him start some games.
It’s real simple… EVERYONE knows that BM will not be on the opening day 53…. so EVERYONE knows that the Browns will end up having to cut him… he can’t go on IR, or PS. And they won’t waste a spot on the 53 unless DW is suspended (and probably not even then). WHY would anyone pay to get BM when they can get him for free sooner or later? And make whatever deal they want, while the Browns still have to pay him his $18M… The only way someone makes a trade is if another QB breaks a leg or arm in camp. Bet on it.
Besides, then the other teams in the NFL stick it to the Browns by sticking them with the $18M… everybody wins, except the Browns…