Steelers would sign Baker Mayfield the ‘next day’ if released

ESPN’s Jeff Darlington says the Pittsburgh Steelers would sign Baker Mayfield “the next day” if he was released by the Cleveland Browns

There’s still no closure on the Baker Mayfield situation as the Cleveland Browns hold tight looking for a trade partner.

Should they decide not to hold onto the former No. 1 pick any longer and outright cut him, the situation could be finalized in a hurry.

While Cleveland has yet to find a trade partner, there’s apparently one team that would be very interested in bringing him in if he was released. On ESPN’s “Get Up'” Jeff Darlington discussed Mayfield and said the Pittsburgh Steelers would sign him “the very next day” if he were on the open market.

"“If the Browns cut Baker Mayfield…He would sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers the very next day,” said ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington"

Baker Mayfield connection to Pittsburgh for real?

This isn’t the first time the Steelers have been connected to Baker Mayfield. Ever since the Browns signed Deshaun Watson, the dots have been connected to the Steel City.

Pittsburgh is entering their first season since 2004 without Ben Roethlisberger under center. In his place, they have Mitchell Trubisky who was the No. 2 pick overall in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears.

Trubisky couldn’t hold the job there, however, and spent 2021 backing up Josh Allen with the Buffalo Bills. He now has a chance to start again but there are still questions about his accuracy and consistency that need to be addressed.

Mayfield has concerns of his own, which have been highlighted this offseason once faced with adversity. Even so, it’s hard to say he wouldn’t at least be able to challenge Trubisky for a job.

Will Baker Mayfield be released?

The connection between Mayfield and the Steelers makes sense, but Cleveland releasing him outright does not. Jeff Darlington said as much, claiming the Browns are unlikely to release him.

And there’s a really good reason for that. In fact, there are nearly 19 million reasons.

Mayfield is due roughly $18.9 million this season and that contract is fully guaranteed. That means the Browns would be on the hook for that deal.

Now, some would be offset by whatever he signs for with his new team, but that means Pittsburgh could pay him a veteran minimum of just over $1 million while Cleveland is stuck with nearly $18 million.

Instead, they’ll wait and see if someone is willing to take on the contract. Sure, they might have to eat some of it still to make a deal work, but no team wants to pay a player that kind of money to suit up for a rival.