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Baker Mayfield: 3 reasons the Browns are struggling to find trade partner

By Greg Newland

Nov 28, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) runs onto the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) runs onto the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Baker Mayfield
Nov 14, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise (91) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports /

Reason for no interest in Baker Mayfield No. 2 – Contract and Leverage

The fact of the matter is, that the Cleveland Browns have absolutely no leverage.

They made the mistake of accepting the fifth-year option of the rookie deal, and now they must live with the consequences. Not only is Mayfield coming off a poor year and shoulder surgery, but the rest of the NFL knows how badly they need to get rid of him.

I remember in the beginning stages of the Browns trying to find a trade partner some believed they would get a second or third-round pick for him, and the other team would pick up the salary. I knew from the beginning that was going to be a real stretch.

At this point, Andrew Berry and the Browns just need to try and get something to wash away this problem. Pay 75 percent of his salary and get a late-round pick in 2023. I can guarantee you Berry has a better chance of drafting a guy in the fifth-round next year adding value to this team than Mayfield doing so.

At this point, I wouldn’t even be mad if they just released him. You had to give him his pick of teams, and someone would certainly get a sweet deal for his services, but Mayfield is too much of a distraction. This is saying a lot given what Watson is going through right now.

Berry has been playing against a stacked deck the entire time. Time to swallow the pride and find a way for both sides to move on.

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