Story by
Cleveland Browns trade former No. 1 NFL Draft pick Baker Mayfield to Carolina Panthers
- Story by
- Cleveland Browns trade former No. 1 NFL Draft pick Baker Mayfield to Carolina Panthers
Baker Mayfield helped the Browns rise from the abyss of the NFL, but the franchise's decision makers became convinced he couldn't quarterback them to the promised land.
The lack of faith contributed to the Browns traveling down a controversial path with Deshaun Watson , the former Houston Texans quarterback who has been accused through the judicial system of sexual misconduct or sexual assault by 26 women during massage appointments. Watson has denied all wrongdoing — a position he reiterated March 25 during his introductory news conference with the Browns and again on the first day of minicamp June 14.
Advertisement
The Browns traded for Watson on March 18 and dealt Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday. Carolina officially announced the trade shortly before 2 p.m., pending a physical for Mayfield.
"Baker Mayfield infused our organization with tenacity and grit during his time as our starting quarterback," Browns General Manager Andrew Berry said in a statement. "Baker's competitiveness, toughness and ability to persevere were all characteristics that endeared him to our city as well as his teammates. He will always have a unique place in Browns history for what he accomplished and we wish him well as he continues his career."
The Browns will receive a conditional fifth-round pick in 2024 that could, a league source said, rise to a fourth-rounder based on playing time for Mayfield, whom former General Manager John Dorsey drafted first overall in 2018 on the heels of going a combined 1-31 the previous two seasons. A source confirmed to the Beacon Journal the pick rises to the fourth if Mayfield plays in 70% of the Panthers' snaps this upcoming season.
The Browns have also agreed to pay about $10.5 million of Mayfield's $18.858 million deal, a source confirmed. Mayfield also elected to cut about $3.5 million off his deal, while the Panthers will pay about $5 million. It's $8 million in salary-cap relief for the Browns.
Advertisement
"We want to thank Baker for all his contributions to the Cleveland Browns," Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement. "From the moment he was drafted, he gave his all for this organization and this city. With his fierce competitive spirit, he excited the fanbase and accomplished things that no player at his position had done in Cleveland for a very long time. He also made a difference in the community, whether it was hosting events at the Boys and Girls Club, honoring our troops, supporting the Special Olympics as well as countless other charitable endeavors. We are grateful for everything he did for this organization and wish him and Emily well in the future."
Cleveland Browns expected to face Baker Mayfield in Week 1
The Browns will open the upcoming season at Carolina on Sept. 11. Mayfield is expected to be the Panthers' starting quarterback in the game.
The logical landing spots for Mayfield dwindled March 21 when the Indianapolis Colts traded with the Atlanta Falcons for Matt Ryan , the Falcons agreed to sign Marcus Mariota and the New Orleans Saints struck a deal to re-sign Jameis Winston.
Advertisement
Then the NFL Draft passed in late April with trade talks between the Browns and Panthers fizzling.
Those discussions were revisited, and now there is resolution — finally.
Mayfield is just the third quarterback in the NFL common era (since 1967) to become a No. 1 overall pick and last four or fewer seasons with their first team, according to ESPN Stats & Information . The others are JaMarcus Russell (Oakland Raiders 2007-09) and Jeff George (Colts 1990-93).
Bridge burned in Cleveland: Baker Mayfield says on podcast he feels 'disrespected' by Browns
Cleveland Browns trade former No. 1 NFL Draft pick Baker Mayfield to Carolina Panthers
(akron-beacon-journal)
Cleveland Browns pursuing Deshaun Watson further damaged their fragile partnership with Baker Mayfield
Mayfield's relationship with the Browns had been strained even before the team's pursuit of Watson intensified in mid-March , but the hard feelings reached the point where Mayfield asked on the afternoon of March 17 to be traded.
Advertisement
At the time, the Browns told Mayfield's agent they would not accommodate his request . But Mayfield's camp wasn't satisfied with the team's stance because it considered the relationship broken.
"It's in the mutual interest of both sides for us to move on," Mayfield told ESPN after submitting the trade request. "The relationship is too far gone to mend. It's in the best interests of both sides to move on."
On the morning of March 17, the Browns had been informed Watson would not waive the no-trade clause in his contract to play for Cleveland , so team brass said it would hang on to Mayfield.
Nancy Armour column: Browns, other NFL teams quick to abandon values in pursuit of Deshaun Watson
Advertisement
However, the Browns kept pushing for Watson , and everything shifted dramatically when he surprisingly changed his mind March 18 and picked Cleveland . The team's claim that it would not trade Mayfield instantly became a moot point.
A five-year contract worth a record-setting $230 million fully guaranteed secured Watson , and he chose the Browns over three other teams that met with him the previous week to submit recruiting pitches — the Falcons, Saints and Panthers.
Baker Mayfield is gone, and the Browns are expected to operate differently: With Deshaun Watson aboard, Kevin Stefanski doesn't rule out wholesale changes to offense
A grand jury declined to indict Watson on nine criminal complaints March 11, and the decision kicked off the sweepstakes for his services as a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback. Another grand jury declined to indict Watson on one criminal complaint March 24 .
Advertisement
Watson still faces four active civil lawsuits out of the 24 total filed against — 22 had been filed when the Browns dealt for him, and 20 were settled on June 21 — and a likely suspension under the NFL's personal conduct policy. Two of the 10 women who made criminal complaints against Watson didn't sue.
The Browns signed quarterback Jacoby Brissett in March to start in the event Watson is unavailable to play.
On March 25, Berry described the team's process of researching Watson as "a five-month odyssey."
The Browns agreed to send three first-round picks (one each in 2022, 2023 and 2024), a 2023 third-round selection, a 2022 fourth-round pick and a 2024 fourth-round choice to the Texans for Watson and a 2024 sixth-round selection.
Advertisement
Regardless, Mayfield had already decided he had no intention of playing for the Browns again. It's a decision that he reiterated to reporters while at his youth camp in Norman, Okla., on June 28.
"No, I think for that to happen, there'd have to be some reaching out," Mayfield told reporters. "We're ready to move on, I think, on both sides."
The ending, Mayfield said, isn't something he wants to overshadow the times he had in Northeast Ohio.
"I'm thankful for my four years in Cleveland," Mayfield said at his youth camp. "A lot of ups and downs and a ton of learning experiences I'll forever keep with me. I have teammates and friends and relationships I'll have with me for a lifetime. … The support staff in Cleveland, the people of Cleveland. It's a great sports town. I'm thankful for it. There's no resentment toward the city of Cleveland, by any means."
Trade to Carolina Panthers was best thing for Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns: Takeaways
(akron-beacon-journal)
Cleveland Browns, Baker Mayfield became disillusioned with each other
Berry told Browns beat writers Jan. 11 and March 1 he "fully" expected Mayfield to be the team's starting quarterback next season .
Advertisement
Berry echoed the sentiment in a meeting with Mayfield's agent in early March at the NFL Scouting Combine, a league source said. Berry also explained during the meeting he would conduct due diligence on other quarterbacks, but the Browns did not notify Mayfield's camp they would meet with Watson, 26, in an effort to trade for him. Mayfield learned about the rendezvous through media reports.
As Browns bigwigs flew back from Houston on the night of March 15 after visiting Watson, Mayfield posted what read like a farewell letter to Cleveland on his Twitter and Instagram accounts. By the afternoon of March 17, Mayfield had made it known he wanted out.
Cleveland Browns legend weighs in: Bernie Kosar: 'Baker Mayfield at 100% is absolutely going to be a winning QB again'
Berry admitted March 29 at the NFL owners meetings he regretted falling short with his communication about the Watson meeting .
Advertisement
"We were pretty open with Baker and his camp in terms of how we viewed the position," Berry said in Palm Beach, Florida. "I will keep those conversations private for obvious reasons. Quite honestly, if there's probably one thing that I would regret or kind of go back [and do] differently, when he had been notified that we were one of the teams that Deshaun wanted to meet with, late that Monday night, we set up the visit. I had set up a call for Baker's representation the following morning. The news got out before I was able to make that call.
"You always hate those type of situations because it kind of gives off an appearance of — that's never how you want someone to find out about that situation. That's the one thing I wish I had done a little bit differently. But on the whole, we had been pretty candid in terms of where we stood at the quarterback position really since very early in the offseason."
Reviewing the ramifications of the Deshaun Watson trade: Cleveland Browns are both winners and losers
In an episode of the "Ya Neva Know: You Know What I Mean?" podcast that debuted April 13, Mayfield made it clear he didn't appreciate the way the Browns handled their business with him this offseason.
Advertisement
"I feel disrespected 100% because I was told one thing and they completely did another," Mayfield said. "That's what I'm in the middle of right now."
Mayfield also became disappointed with the Browns last season, and his frustration boiled over when he publicly criticized coach Kevin Stefanski's play calling twice .
The Browns also grew disillusioned with Mayfield .
ESPN's Chris Mortensen said on the air March 16 he was told the Browns wanted "what they consider an adult" at quarterback. The Mayfield camp took note of the comment.
On March 25, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said Mayfield believes the "adult" comment came from ownership .
Advertisement
"Contrary to what is out there in the press, we think highly of Baker and did not get down on him," Haslam said. "I know there is [an anonymous Browns] statement that we needed 'an adult in the room,' and Baker felt that came from ownership, but that is not true.
"Baker gave it everything he had while he was here. Nobody can question his effort this past year, and nobody can question the four years he gave to the city of Cleveland. We wish him nothing but the best of luck."
Marla Ridenour column: Browns the epitome of hypocrisy with pursuit of Texans' Deshaun Watso n
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) hangs his head as he walks off the field following a 37-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in an NFL football game at FirstEnergy Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]
Looking back at Baker Mayfield's four seasons with the Cleveland Browns
In Mayfield's four seasons with the Browns, he went 30-31 as a starter, including 1-1 in the playoffs. He completed 61.6% of his passes for 14,125 yards and 92 touchdowns with 56 interceptions for a rating of 87.8.
Advertisement
More than anything, Mayfield's NFL career has been defined by inconsistency . He had three full-time head coaches and three playbooks through his first three seasons. His performance was erratic, too.
Mayfield, 27, had an impressive rookie season and stabilized the sport's most important position for the Browns after Dorsey drafted the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner out of the University of Oklahoma in 2018.
Backup quarterback also switched: Browns agree to trade Case Keenum, strike deal with Jacoby Brissett
Four games into Mayfield's rookie season, the Browns named him their 30th starting quarterback since the club's rebirth in 1999.
Advertisement
Less than a year after Mayfield declared at the combine if anyone could reverse the fortunes of the 0-16 Browns it would be him, he finished runner-up for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and set the league's single-season rookie record for TD passes with 27, a record Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert surpassed with 31 in 2020. The Browns finished 7-8-1 in 2018, and expectations for the team soared.
Yet Mayfield regressed in 2019 , throwing 22 TD passes and 21 interceptions and ranking next to last in the league in completion percentage (59.4) and passer rating (78.8).
The team proved to be unorganized and undisciplined as it flopped to a record of 6-10 under one-and-done coach Freddie Kitchens, who had replaced Hue Jackson. Shortly after the season ended, the Browns fired Kitchens and agreed with Dorsey to split up.
Cleveland Browns trade former No. 1 NFL Draft pick Baker Mayfield to Carolina Panthers
(akron-beacon-journal)
Stefanski and Berry succeeded Kitchens and Dorsey in the 2020 offseason, and Mayfield worked himself into excellent shape after reaching the heaviest playing weight of his career the previous year .
Advertisement
The changes in leadership and Mayfield's physique paid off. He bounced back in 2020 by completing 62.7% of his passes for 4,030 yards and 30 TDs with nine interceptions for a rating of 95.7 in 18 games, leading the Browns to a record of 12-6, including 1-1 in the playoffs.
A look inside Cleveland's bid: Jimmy Haslam: Browns had 'a lot to overcome' in Deshaun Watson derby, including weather
Cleveland believes it acquired No. 1 wideout: Browns explain Amari Cooper trade, NFL free agency moves: 'His skill set fits perfectly'
Mayfield finished the 2020 regular season ranked 30th in the league in completion percentage (62.8%) but 15th in passer rating (95.9). He had 26 TD passes and eight interceptions entering the playoffs.
Advertisement
Mayfield's hot streak helped the Browns go 11-5 in the regular season, reach the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and earn their only postseason win since Jan. 1, 1995 , with a 48-37 wild-card triumph in Pittsburgh. He threw 20 TD passes against just two interceptions from the second quarter of a Week 7 game in Cincinnati through a 22-17 divisional-round playoff loss in Kansas City .
Mayfield played well in the postseason, completing 62% of his passes for 467 yards and four TDs with one interception for a rating of 94 in those two games.
Cleveland Browns trade former No. 1 NFL Draft pick Baker Mayfield to Carolina Panthers
(akron-beacon-journal)
Serious contract extension talks between Cleveland Browns, Baker Mayfield never materialized
Berry exercised the fifth-year option on Mayfield's rookie contract in April 2021, guaranteeing his 2022 salary for $18.858 million. The team and Mayfield's camp were optimistic a long-term contract extension would be reached .
Advertisement
But Mayfield's momentum vanished last season. He and the Browns failed to meet expectations in 2021, and meaningful extension talks never took place.
Mayfield suffered a completely torn labrum in his left, non-throwing shoulder in Week 2, played poorly for the majority of the season and had surgery on Jan. 19 . The Browns went 8-9 and missed the playoffs after believing in the fall they had a legitimate chance to make a Super Bowl run .
Quarterback in the community: Browns' Baker Mayfield helps Brooks Koepka create a special day for young cancer patient
Mayfield went 253-of-418 passing (60.5%) for 3,010 yards and 17 touchdowns with 13 interceptions last season for a rating of 83.1 in 14 games, going 6-8 as a starter. His completion percentage and rating ranked 27th among 31 qualifying quarterbacks. He rushed 37 times for 134 yards (3.6 average) and a touchdown. He took 43 sacks.
Advertisement
Frustrated with Mayfield failing to capitalize on opportunities in the passing game , wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. forced his way out of Cleveland in early November and went on to win Super Bowl LVI with the Los Angeles Rams in February.
The Browns decided they needed a better quarterback, and they didn't let Watson's off-field baggage stop them from identifying him as the answer.
And now the Mayfield era in Cleveland has officially ended.
Cleveland Browns trade former No. 1 NFL Draft pick Baker Mayfield to Carolina Panthers
(akron-beacon-journal)
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com .
Chris Easterling can beach reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Baker Mayfield traded by Cleveland Browns to Carolina Panthers
