Are Cleveland Browns ruining relationship with Baker Mayfield?

With credible reports that the Cleveland Browns have serious interest in DeShaun Watson, the page could quickly be turning on Baker Mayfield.

After Andrew Berry and the Cleveland Browns pulled off a fantastic trade on Saturday which landed them star receiver Amari Cooper, the rumors haven’t stopped. Berry quickly filled a huge hole without overpaying in free agency, but now he may be opening bigger questions.

Rumors started from reporters that same day (none from Cleveland), that a move to get Cooper could be to entice Deshaun Watson to waive his no-trade clause to come to the Browns.

And while that seemed like a dream scenario, Mary Kay Cabot is now reporting that the offer is real.

Taking Watson’s off-field issues out of the picture, the guy is arguably a top-five quarterback in the NFL. There are still a few questions on his 2022 eligibility, but with no criminal charges pending, teams have started picking up the phone.

The big question I have now is if Berry doesn’t land Watson, is there a scenario where Baker Mayfield is still the starting quarterback for the Browns in 2022? With all of the dirt flying around, it’s hard to see.

Cleveland Browns might be burning bridges

We all know Mayfield plays with a chip on his shoulder and endlessly uses the underdog mentality, but I’m not sure he can overcome all this trade speculation. Being in the fifth year of his rookie deal, I could easily see things going south between him and the organization especially after they seem to have committed to him only to flirt with the idea of Watson.

And it might not just be Watson because, at this point, it appears that Berry is highly motivated to make a change at quarterback. Watson is likely the best available option currently, but you can bet he has options B, C, and even D ready if he can’t make a deal work. And there’s no way a guy who plays with as much emotion as No. 6 does, that could lead to burnt bridges.

I doubt discussions have occurred between the Mayfield and Berry camps, but don’t be shocked if the next report is that Mayfield has been given permission to seek a trade.