Cleveland Browns: Ridiculous trade rumors appear about Baker Mayfield
By Grant Puskar
Weird trade rumors appear about Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield
Recently, I wrote a column on how Baker Mayfield can lock up the franchise quarterback spot for the Cleveland Browns in the last 8 games of the season. Today, I find myself writing about a weird trade rumor from Timothy Rapp of Bleacher Report.
The idea of trading Mayfield sounds ludicrous, even though Rapp cites two league executives in his article. And if you think the Browns are ready to trade away the best quarterback they have had in 20-plus seasons, then maybe you forgot about the litany of players who have come through and failed before him.
If there’s any way that a Mayfield trade is even enterained by Andrew Berry and the Browns, it would be due to a meltdown by him and the team down the stretch — something that seems highly unlikely.
Mayfield came into the NFL and set the rookie touchdown record. In his second season, he struggled, all while also dealing with a lot of outside noise. So far this year, we have had a mixed outcome from Mayfield.
Either way, saying that Mayfield would even have a market right now is a bit ridiculous, because he still has a lot to prove not only to the league but to the Browns franchise as well. I’ve said it time and time again, the possibility that the Browns win 4 or 5 more games this season and make the playoffs is strong, and Mayfield is not going anywhere if they get in.
Mayfield enjoys playing in Cleveland, it is pretty clear. His entire life, he has always had to embody the underdog mentality. Don’t forget, Mayfield wanted to turn this franchise around. Yes, there can be a “market” for anyone. What team that doesn’t have their quarterback situation figured out wouldn’t have an interest in Mayfield? But, having interest doesn’t mean that there is a market. NFL teams take quarterbacks number one overall for a reason; to be there long term.
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Unless Mayfield really slows down and has a miserable last 8 games this season, his chances of being here long term are very good, and the Browns would be quick to shut down any “market” out there for him.