Baker Mayfield reportedly upset Browns vets after Duke Johnson comments
By Dan Justik
Cleveland Browns veterans were reportedly upset about Baker Mayfield’s critical comments towards Duke Johnson about his trade request.
After just one season with the Cleveland Browns, it is evident that quarterback Baker Mayfield is one of the leaders of the team. And it became more obvious when he shared his beliefs about the Duke Johnson situation last week during mandatory minicamp.
Mayfield seemed to be bothered by how Johnson has handled requesting a trade from the organization. Mayfield made it clear that he wants his teammates to be all-in and was worried if Johnson would be a professional about the situation.
According to Mike Silver of NFL.com, Mayfield’s comments about Johnson’s situation bothered other Browns veterans, and the veterans approached Mayfield to discuss his comments.
As I just stated on @nflnetwork: According to multiple sources, several veteran Browns players approached Baker Mayfield in the locker room after the young QB's critical comments about RB Duke Johnson to register their displeasure, and they hashed out their differences.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) June 13, 2019
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The Browns organization has made it clear this offseason that they want players that are completely bought in to what the team is doing. That belief has carried down into Mayfield, which could be why he was bothered by how Johnson has handled his trade request.
Mayfield is not afraid to speak about what is on his mind, so it was not surprising to see how discussed the Johnson situation. As an emerging leader, Mayfield may have wanted to make it clear that he wants his teammates fully committed to making the Browns a better team.
However, now that Mayfield is working with older players compared to when he was the captain at the University of Oklahoma, his teammates may not respond the same way in the NFL as they did in college. And dealing with the business side of the NFL and contracts is new to Mayfield.
If that is the case in this situation, the veterans working out the issues with Mayfield’s comments immediately after it happened will help Mayfield grow as a leader. Instead of handling it front of a media, Mayfield discussing the issue in the locker room may be what the veterans would have preferred.
In his short time in the NFL, it seems obvious that Mayfield has been able to connect with every one of his teammates. Whenever one of Mayfield’s teammates talks about Mayfield as a leader, they only have good things to say.
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Mayfield may have ruffled some feathers with his comments about Johnson, but it is clear that the 24-year-old only wants the best from his teammates and for the organization. Mayfield will continue to grow as a leader, and veterans discussing their issues with how he handles situations will only help him.