Baker Mayfield releases statement after requesting trade from Cleveland Browns
Quarterback Baker Mayfield decided to take his uncertain future into his own hands, formally requesting a trade from the Cleveland Browns, according to a Thursday afternoon report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The Browns, however, were immediately unwilling to fulfil Mayfield’s request, per Jake Trotter.
“It’s in the mutual interest of both sides for us to move on,” Mayfield said, via ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “The relationship is too far fine to mend. It’s in the best interests of both sides to move on.”
The news came days after the Browns reportedly sought out Mayfield’s replacement in free agency. Many of the reports suggested that the Browns were one of several teams in pursuit of Deshaun Watson, the Houston Texans’ star quarterback who recently has been at the center of trade talks; then, a separate report indicated that the Browns may be interested in trading Mayfield even if the organization doesn’t win the Watson sweepstakes. On Thursday morning, Watson reportedly narrowed down his list and ruled out the Browns — and despite that, Mayfield feels as though his time in Cleveland has run its course.
Mayfield’s 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. Cleveland will always be apart of Emily and my story. And we will always be thankful for the impact it has had and will have in our lives. Sincerely, Baker Reagan Mayfield.”
Mayfield, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound quarterback, won the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma before being taken by the Browns with the first-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. A three-time first-team All-Big 12 selection, Mayfield in the NFL was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team in 2018.