Hindsight Shows Baker Mayfield Dilemma in New Light
Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
All Baker Mayfield did for the Cleveland Browns was lead them to their only playoff win since 1999. Did the No. 1 overall pick from 2018 show some inconsistent play at times? Sure, but looking back at moving on from him two offseasons ago, it’s fair to say the Browns might have made the wrong decision.
Mayfield appeared to be an up-and-coming quarterback by his third NFL season. Over 2020, Mayfield threw for 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions leading the Browns to an 11-5 record. He then led Cleveland to a 48-37 shootout win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, at Heinz Field. Despite Ben Roethlisberger nearly doubling Mayfield’s yardage total (501-263), Mayfield outdueled the two-time champion, throwing three touchdowns and no interceptions in the effort (Big Ben threw four picks to four touchdowns).
But then came the 2021 season, and Mayfield suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder, which affected his play. He finished that season finding the end zone just 17 times, which he nearly matched with 13 interceptions. Mayfield ultimately requested a trade from the Browns, and he was shipped off to the Carolina Panthers. After the trade, ESPN NFL insider Chris Mortensen revealed his belief that the Browns wanted an “adult” at quarterback, which apparently was the final straw that led to Mayfield requesting the trade.
There were rumors that someone inside the organization made those comments, but according to owner Jimmy Haslam, that wasn’t the case. “Contrary to what is out there in the press, we think highly of Baker and did not get down on him,” Jimmy Haslam said. “[I know] Baker felt that [“adult” comment] came from ownership, but that’s not true. Baker gave it everything he had while he was here. Nobody can question his effort this past year, and nobody can question the four years he gave to the city of Cleveland.”
After moving on from Mayfield, the team traded for Deshaun Watson, who the team believed could help the Browns win more than a playoff game and get them to the ultimate goal. The Browns traded three first-round draft picks, a third-round pick, and two fourth-round picks. Not only did the Browns give up a ton of draft capital for a quarterback who had significant off-the-field issues, which raised major questions on how much of an “adult” he is. Watson agreed to a deal that included $230 million in guaranteed money as part of the trade. There are still three years left on the contract, but over the first two years, he hasn’t gotten close to being worth the money.
To start the 2022 season, Watson was suspended for 11 games because of the allegations against him. He played six games that season, and he had the worst passer rating of his career. During the 2023 season, Watson started the first six games before suffering a displaced fracture to the glenoid in his right shoulder. Even in his six games, though, Watson was inconsistent at best.
So, what has Mayfield been up to? Mayfield made stops with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams before becoming the long-term solution for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2023, Mayfield completed 64.3 percent of his passes for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Mayfield led the Bucs to a stunning Wild Card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Against the Detroit Lions in the Division Round, he threw for 349 yards and three touchdowns, but the Bucs fell just short. After the season ended, the Bucs signed Mayfield to a three-year extension with $50 million in guaranteed money.
In one season with the Buccaneers, Mayfield has found more success than Watson has had in two with the Browns, and at a much cheaper price. A lot of Watson’s disappointments are caused by his off-the-field issues and injuries, but when he’s been on the field, he hasn’t exactly looked like one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
Even though Mayfield had requested the trade, if the front office had tried to smooth things over and offered him even a two or three-year contract, a deal may have probably gotten done. Instead, they traded away three first-round draft picks and paid way too much to Watson. The team could have used those draft picks to surround Mayfield with even more weapons, and the same with the extra money that went to Watson. It’s always revisionist history when discussing past moves, but it sure appears the Browns would be in a better position right now with Mayfield and all those draft picks.
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