As rumors circulated that the Browns were shopping Baker Mayfield ahead of the NFL trade deadline, the quarterback took to Twitter to quash them.
"I'm not getting traded," Mayfield wrote. "@Browns @NFL."
The Browns have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL this season, sitting at 2-6 heading into their bye week. And while Mayfield has been far from perfect, he has shown improvement in his second season under head coach Freddie Kitchens.
Mayfield has completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 2,242 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions, good for a 91.2 passer rating. His numbers are down from his rookie season, when he completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 3,725 yards, 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, but he has been more efficient in 2019.
The Browns have several needs that they could address with a trade, including at wide receiver and in the secondary. And while Mayfield is not the only player on the roster who could be traded, he is the most likely candidate.
The Browns acquired Odell Beckham Jr. in a trade with the Giants this offseason, and while he has been a big-play threat, he has not been the Brown's number one receiver. Beckham has just 35 catches for 518 yards and one touchdown in eight games.
The Browns' lack of a number one receiver has put more pressure on Mayfield, and he has responded by making more big plays. Mayfield has completed 21 of his 53 passes for 941 yards, 11 touchdowns and one interception on throws of 20 or more yards, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Mayfield's improved play has not been enough to save the Browns' season, but it has made him more valuable. And with the Browns' front office in flux, it is not out of the question that they would consider trading him.
The Browns have a new general manager in Andrew Berry, and while he has only been on the job for a few weeks, he has already made it clear that he is open to making changes.
"We're going to do whatever it takes to build a champion Cleveland Browns football team," Berry said. "If that means making trades, then that's what we'll do."
The Browns have been linked to several trade rumors, including one that would send Mayfield to the 49ers for Jimmy
What teams were interested in trading for Baker Mayfield?
Baker Mayfield was one of the most hyped quarterbacks in the 2018 NFL draft. Some teams were interested in trading for him, but the Browns ultimately drafted him first overall.
The Browns were not the only team interested in Mayfield though. The Buffalo Bills were reportedly interested in trading up for him, but the Browns were not willing to trade down. The Miami Dolphins were also reportedly interested in Mayfield, but they ultimately drafted quarterback Ryan Tannehill first overall.
The New York Jets were also interested in Mayfield, but they ultimately drafted quarterback Sam Darnold third overall. The Arizona Cardinals were reportedly interested in Mayfield as well, but they drafted quarterback Josh Rosen tenth overall.
Mayfield ultimately became the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, but he could have easily gone to any of a number of teams. He is a talented quarterback with a lot of potential, and it will be interesting to see where his career takes him.
Why were the Cleveland Browns interested in trading Baker Mayfield?
The Browns were interested in trading Baker Mayfield because he is a talented young quarterback with a lot of potential. He has shown flashes of brilliance during his time with the Browns, but he has also been inconsistent at times. The Browns believe that he has the potential to be a great quarterback, but they are not sure if he can reach that potential with the Browns. They believe that he would be better off with another team where he would have a better chance to succeed.
What other quarterbacks were the Browns considering trading for?
The Browns were reportedly considering trading for a number of other quarterbacks before settling on acquiring Odell Beckham Jr. from the Giants. Among the signal-callers Cleveland looked into were the Cardinals' Josh Rosen, the Bengals' Andy Dalton, the Redskins' Colt McCoy, and the Broncos' Case Keenum.
Rosen, the 10th overall pick in the 2018 draft, has struggled mightily in his two seasons with Arizona. He's completed just 55.2 percent of his passes for 5,858 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions in 24 career games. The Cardinals have reportedly been shopping Rosen this offseason and, with newly-acquired Kyler Murray atop the depth chart, seem poised to move on from the young quarterback.
Dalton, on the other hand, has been a reliable starter for the Bengals since being selected in the second round of the 2011 draft. He's started all but four of the team's games over the past eight seasons and has racked up over 29,000 passing yards and 204 touchdown passes. However, Dalton has also thrown 118 interceptions during that span and has just one playoff win to his credit.
McCoy, a fifth-round pick by the Browns in 2010, started 21 games over three seasons in Cleveland before being traded to the 49ers in 2013. He's since bounced around the league, spending time with the Redskins, Eagles, and Cardinals. In nine NFL seasons, McCoy has completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 10,465 yards, 54 touchdowns, and 45 interceptions.
Keenum, meanwhile, entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He's since carved out a nice career as a backup and spot starter, appearing in 58 games for the Texans, Rams, Vikings, and Broncos. Keenum has completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 11,365 yards, 60 touchdowns, and 42 interceptions in his career. He led the Vikings to the NFC Championship game in 2017 but was largely disappointing in his lone season with the Broncos in 2018.
How close was the Baker Mayfield trade to happening?
In the offseason leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns were one of the teams rumored to be interested in trading up for the No. 1 overall pick. The Browns were coming off a 0-16 season and were desperate for a franchise quarterback. They were linked to Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen and USC quarterback Sam Darnold, but neither of those deals came to fruition.
On the eve of the draft, a report surfaced that the Browns were in talks with the New York Giants about a trade that would send the No. 2 overall pick to Cleveland in exchange for the No. 4 overall pick, the Browns' first-round pick in 2019, and a second-round pick in 2018. The Giants were reportedly interested in drafting Penn State running back Saquon Barkley with the No. 2 pick.
The report sent the NFL world into a frenzy, as a trade of that magnitude would have had a huge impact on the draft. The Browns would have been in position to draft either Allen or Darnold with the No. 1 pick, while the Giants would have been able to draft Barkley with the No. 4 pick.
However, the trade never happened. The Giants ultimately decided to stay put and draft Barkley with the No. 2 overall pick. The Browns, who held the No. 4 pick, selected Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield ended up having a historic rookie season, throwing for more than 3,700 yards and 27 touchdowns. He was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and helped lead the Browns to a 7-8-1 record, their best record in over a decade.
The Baker Mayfield trade rumors were a wild ride, but in the end, the Browns ended up with their franchise quarterback. And that's all that matters.
Why did the trade ultimately not happen?
The primary reason that the trade ultimately did not happen was because the two teams involved could not come to an agreement on the terms. The Cavs were reportedly asking for too much in return for Kyrie Irving, and the Spurs were unwilling to part with Kawhi Leonard without a significant haul in return.
What would the Browns have received in return for Baker Mayfield?
When the Cleveland Browns drafted Baker Mayfield with the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, they knew they were getting a quarterback with a lot of potential.
What they may not have realized is just how much trade value he would have.
In the two years since he was drafted, Mayfield has developed into one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the NFL. He's led the Browns to a winning record and has them poised to make a playoff run in 2020.
So, what would the Browns have received in return for Baker Mayfield if they had decided to trade him prior to the 2020 season?
It's tough to say exactly what another team would be willing to give up for Mayfield, but it's safe to say that the Browns would have received a haul in return.
At the very least, they would have received a first-round pick. But, given Mayfield's development and the fact that he's still on his rookie contract, it's not out of the realm of possibility that the Browns could have gotten a package of picks that included a first and a second-rounder.
In addition to the picks, the Browns would have also received a veteran quarterback to help bridge the gap until the team's next franchise quarterback is ready.
This hypothetical trade would have been a win-win for the Browns. They would have received a significant haul of draft picks that they could have used to build around Mayfield and they would have also gotten a veteran quarterback to help lead the team.
What are the Browns planning to do with Baker Mayfield now?
NFL insider Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday that the Browns are not planning to trade Baker Mayfield this offseason. That means that, for now, Mayfield is still the team's starting quarterback.
What does that mean for the Browns' offense?
For one, it means that the Browns are likely to keep running the same type of offense that they ran last season. That offense was focused on getting the ball out quickly and letting Mayfield make plays with his feet.
It also means that the Browns are likely to continue to use a lot of three- and four-wide receiver sets. They did that last season and it allowed Mayfield to throw for over 3,700 yards.
The Browns may also look to add more playmakers around Mayfield. They have already added one in Odell Beckham Jr. and they could look to add more in the draft or via free agency.
Ultimately, the Browns are planning to keep Mayfield as their starting quarterback and they will continue to build around him. They believe that he is the franchise quarterback that they have been looking for and they are committed to him as their starter.
What does this mean for Baker Mayfield's future with the Browns?
Baker Mayfield's future with the Browns is shrouded in uncertainty. After a promising rookie season, Mayfield took a step back in his second year, throwing 21 interceptions and just 22 touchdown passes. The Browns brought in a new head coach and offensive coordinator in 2020, and it remains to be seen how they will use Mayfield. Cleveland also has a wealth of talent at the quarterback position, including veteran starter Tyrod Taylor and backup Drew Stanton.
Mayfield has all the talent in the world and showed some glimpses of greatness as a rookie. However, his inconsistency and turnover problems are concerning. It's possible that the Browns could give up on Mayfield after just two seasons if he doesn't show significant improvement in 2020.
What other trades were the Browns considering?
The Browns were also considering other trades, including one that would have sent defensive end Olivier Vernon to the Jaguars for a draft pick. They also talked to the 49ers about a trade for defensive tackle Tank Carradine and to the Bills about a trade for linebacker Kiko Alonso.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should a team inquire about a trade for Baker Mayfield?
The answer to this question is most certainly yes. The Cleveland Browns should absolutely trade for Baker Mayfield and give him a chance to be their franchise quarterback. He has all the potential in the world and would be an excellent addition to any team.
Who were the Panthers’ top competition for Baker Mayfield?
Prior to the trade, the Seahawks were perceived as the Panthers’ only competition for Mayfield’s services—if you could even call it that. (Turns out, you couldn’t.) As a result, Carolina was able to squeeze Cleveland for $10.5 million of the $18.8 million guarantee.
Why did the Browns decide to move on from Baker Mayfield?
Baker Mayfield has been inconsistent and erratic in his four-year career, and the front office has known for a while that they wanted to move on from him. He is too inconsistent and unpredictable, which is one of the main reasons why they decided to and did eventually make a massive upgrade at the position by selecting Patrick Mahomes II with the first overall pick in this year's draft.
Who did Baker Mayfield play against in 2021?
The Baker Mayfield who played in 2021 was with the Cleveland Browns.
Will the Browns trade Baker Mayfield?
That remains to be seen as nobody knows what will happen at the negotiating table. Baker Mayfield is entering his third year in the NFL and he’s only 23 years old. If the Browns were to trade him, they would get a lot in return, but his value might not rise too much because he’s already a Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
