Report: Baker Mayfield informs Cleveland Browns preferred trade destination

The Cleveland Browns quarterback position has gone through a whirlwind over the past 48 hours, with speculation about the future. After reports that Deshaun Watson will join the team on a record-setting deal, current starter Baker Mayfield informed that Browns that he prefers to be traded to the Indianapolis Colts, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe.

The relationship between Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns took a hit after their pursuit of Deshaun Watson this week, leading him to request a trade regardless of the outcome. While the team denied his request immediately, a change of heart by Watson brought them back into the race.

Now in need of a new team, the Indianapolis Colts appear in prime position after trading 2021 starter Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders for draft picks. Other teams in need of a quarterback include the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints, who lost the Watson sweepstakes, along with the Seattle Seahawks who traded away Russell Wilson.

After unprecedented quarterback movement this offseason, the remaining teams on the market must make decisions about Mayfield, 49ers starter Jimmy Garoppolo and free agents like Jameis Winston.

Bake Mayfield releases statement

Baker Mayfield’s original trade request came on the heels of a lengthy statement released to his social media accounts on Tuesday night. He thanked the Cleveland Browns, their fanbase and the city of Cleveland — a message that read a bit like a goodbye — despite the fact that the Browns had not yet moved on at the time.

Mayfield posted a lengthy statement with the caption, “With many uncertainties, here is where my heart is.”

“Cleveland, the past four years have been nothing short of truly life changing since I heard my name called in the draft to go to Cleveland. This is not a message with hidden meaning,” Mayfield wrote. “This is strictly to thank the city of Cleveland for embracing my family and me. We have made many memories and shared growing in this process through all the ups and downs. I have no clue what happens next, which is the meaning behind the silence I have had during the sutation of this process. I can only control what I can, which is trusting in God’s plan throughout this process.”

Mayfield finished the 2021 season, his fourth in the NFL, playing in 14 games bwefore suffering a late-season injury and missing the final three. He completed 60.5 percent of his passes for 3,010 passing yards, a career low, 17 passing touchdowns, also a career low, and 13 interceptions.

“I have given this franchise everything I have. That is something I’ve always done at every stage, and at every level. And that will not change wherever I take my next snap,” Mayfield said. “Whatever happens… I just want to say thank you to the fans who truly embraced who I am and the mentality that aligned so well with this city’s hard-working people.”