CLEVELAND — Baker Mayfield feels the Cleveland Browns deceived him about their offseason plans, which ended in them buying and selling for Deshaun Watson.
Talking on a podcast, Mayfield, whose tumultuous four-year run as Cleveland’s quarterback necessarily ended when the crew received Watson in a surprising deal ultimate month with the Houston Texans, mentioned the crew was once no longer prematurely with him.
“I believe disrespected 100% as a result of I used to be informed something and so they totally did some other,” Mayfield mentioned in an look at the “Ya By no means Know” podcast, which was once taped ultimate week.
Mayfield struggled whilst enjoying maximum of ultimate season with a torn labrum in his left, non-throwing shoulder, which he injured in Week 2. Cleveland fell approach wanting expectancies, completed 8-9 and overlooked the playoffs after finishing an extended postseason drought the former season.
He underwent surgical procedure proper after the season and Browns normal supervisor Andrew Berry publicly indicated the crew was once making plans to deliver Mayfield again because the starter whilst privately investigating whether or not so as to add Watson, accused by means of two dozen therapeutic massage therapists in Texas of sexual attack and harassment.
When Mayfield discovered of the Browns’ passion, he demanded a commerce. Watson, who first of all became down Cleveland, then modified his thoughts, waived his no-trade clause and signed a record-setting $230 million absolutely assured contract.
Whilst nonetheless disillusioned over how it was once treated, Mayfield, the No. 1 general select in 2018, mentioned he is at peace together with his time with the Browns.
“I actually, in point of fact honesty haven’t any regrets of my time in Cleveland of what I attempted to offer that position,” he mentioned. “True Clevelanders and true Browns fanatics know that, and that is the reason why I will be able to stroll clear of the entire state of affairs feeling like I did it.”
Mayfield stays on Cleveland’s roster because the crew tries to figure out a commerce. The tough section for the Browns is that he is because of make $18.8 million, and there are not many groups prepared to tackle that wage.
As his performances worsened ultimate season, the 26-year-old Mayfield stated he spent an excessive amount of time being concerned about how he was once being handled. He mentioned a ruin from social media helped, however it was once laborious to dam out the whole thing.
Mayfield was once booed at FirstEnergy Stadium throughout a win over Detroit in Week 11 and skipped his postgame information convention.
“When persons are so vital of it,” Mayfield mentioned, “I would like to turn up at someone’s cubicle and simply boo the (crap) out of them and watch them collapse. I would be mendacity to you if I did not say that I am getting stuck up in all of the negativity and stuff throughout the yr ultimate yr.”
Mayfield mirrored on his time with the Browns throughout the 90-minute interview, his first because the Watson deal was once finished.
He feels liberated being out of Cleveland.
“I were given my style of it as a result of I have had 4 other head coaches in 4 years, a number of various coordinators. I have had the highs and so they at all times come again,” he mentioned. “I had nice instances my rookie yr. I did not get started to start with. I got here in and had a good time within the again part of the yr. 2019 sucked. 2020 was once nice, made the playoffs.
“2021 was once depressing. I am simply on the lookout for stabilization presently. I do know what I want to do to be the most efficient model of me and have the ability to lead a company. I am in a just right position presently. I haven’t any clue the place I am going.”
Seattle and Carolina are nonetheless believed to be conceivable touchdown spots for Mayfield, who’s having a look ahead to a reset of his occupation.
“I am able for the following bankruptcy, the following alternative,” he mentioned. “Since the simplest factor I am assured with the following spot is 365 days, as a result of I’ve yet another yr of assured contract. So I’ve 365 days anyplace I’m going and it is my subsequent interview. It is one thing to place on my resume for the following task.
“Whether or not or not it’s I play that yr anyplace it will be and so they lengthen me for longer, or if it is that yr and I am getting picked up in different places. I do know I’ve this 365 days to do up to I in all probability can.”
