The Browns traded Mayfield in 2022 after making a blockbuster move for Deshaun Watson. It signaled they no longer believed Mayfield — the No. 1 overall pick in 2018 — was their long-term answer under center.
A shoulder injury marred Mayfield’s final year in Cleveland. He threw for 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, finishing the season with a 40.9 quarterback rating.
The Browns traded Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers after acquiring Watson. He was waived after six starts. He also had a short but somewhat successful stint with the Los Angeles Rams. However, his future in the NFL became a significant question.
Following the turbulent season, Mayfield signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year, $4 million prove-it deal. He did just that, making the Pro Bowl and earning himself a three-year, $100 million contract in March of 2024.
Browns Still Searching for Answer at Quarterback
Meanwhile, the Browns are still searching for a franchise quarterback. The Watson trade was a massive failure. Even Browns owner Jimmy Haslam dubbed it a “swing and miss.”
“We took a big swing-and-miss with Deshaun,” Haslam said this offseason. “We thought we had the quarterback; we didn’t. And we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him, so we’ve got to dig ourselves out of that hole.
“… [The trade] was an entire organization decision and it ends with Dee [Haslam] and I, so hold us accountable.”
Watson was handed a $230 million, fully guaranteed deal after being sent to Cleveland. He has appeared in just 19 games over three seasons, throwing for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. In 2024, he passed for just 1,148 yards and five touchdowns in seven starts. Watson is expected to miss most, if not all of next season.
Last season, Browns general manager Andrew Berry was very complimentary of Mayfield and his fresh start with the Bucs.
“Baker is doing a terrific job in Tampa and certainly happy for him. Obviously, he created a lot of really great memories for us here. I think a big part of quarterback success or failure — it can be environment. And I think the environment that these guys come into can play a huge part in terms of their development,” Berry said. “Baker’s obviously a really talented quarterback, and I think part of what we go through in terms of our ups and downs, whether it’s personal or professional, there also is individual growth. But he’s doing a great job in Tampa. I think he’s grown as a player. He’s grown as a person, and obviously, they’re in a good place there.”
