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Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has requested a trade, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. This news comes after the Browns tried to trade for Deshaun Watson, which apparently has burned the bridge between Mayfield and the team.
The Browns, for their part, have said no to Mayfield’s trade request, per Mike Garafolo. Of course, that “no” could easily be a strategy to get more out of a trade partner, but they could also try to mend fences to keep the QB around.
Baker Mayfield just told ESPN: “It’s in the mutual interest of both sides for us to move on. The relationship is too far fine to mend. It’s in the best interests of both sides to move on.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2022
Mayfield has been the best Browns quarterback since Bernie Kosar, but his play has still been inconsistent. Losing him without a similarly skilled replacement at the position would be a big blow to Cleveland.
There is already a report of the Seattle Seahawks’ interest in the Browns signal caller, per Josina Anderson. Matt Ryan, Jameis Winston, and Jimmy Garoppolo could all be in play for the Browns, as this doesn’t sound like it will end with Mayfield returning in 2022.