Baker Mayfield says goodbye to Cleveland (update - Traded to Panthers)

[CincyBillsFan]

Man thinking back to 2018 who would have thought this is how it would turn out for that QB class?  All the worry & bellyaching about Allen and here we are in 2022 with Allen not only being the best of that class but 2 of the others have washed out, a 3rd is in limbo and on the verge of washing out and the 4th - Lamar Jackson - has seen his production drop and is in a stalled contract negotiation.

 

Meanwhile Allen is a top 3 QB, locked up for years and the face of the Bills franchise.  Amazing.

 

 

[WhoTom]

17 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

He was also hurt all year. I said in week 3 Baker was being foolish playing through a serious shoulder injury and he would cost himself money in the long term. I'm not saying he is great. But the 2021 version of Baker Mayfield was never going to be the best Baker Mayfield after week 2 and he put being a tough guy ahead of a sensible career decision. If he had gone on IR as he should have he'd have a starting job now.

 

11 hours ago, Richard Noggin said:

Mayfield absolutely hurt his stock by being a tough guy. Hurt his team, too. But that's who he is. It's both a quality and a flaw. 

 

I was under the impression that the team pressured him to play through it. Did he ever say it was his decision?

 

 

 

[Another Fan]

20 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

He was also hurt all year. I said in week 3 Baker was being foolish playing through a serious shoulder injury and he would cost himself money in the long term. I'm not saying he is great. But the 2021 version of Baker Mayfield was never going to be the best Baker Mayfield after week 2 and he put being a tough guy ahead of a sensible career decision. If he had gone on IR as he should have he'd have a starting job now.

I think as well nobody with a strong enough personality in the Browns management/coaching staff to shut him down.  The team had a competent back up in Keenum whose now a Bill.  

[Doc]

4 hours ago, CincyBillsFan said:

Man thinking back to 2018 who would have thought this is how it would turn out for that QB class?  All the worry & bellyaching about Allen and here we are in 2022 with Allen not only being the best of that class but 2 of the others have washed out, a 3rd is in limbo and on the verge of washing out and the 4th - Lamar Jackson - has seen his production drop and is in a stalled contract negotiation.

 

Meanwhile Allen is a top 3 QB, locked up for years and the face of the Bills franchise.  Amazing.

 

At the time of the draft, I thought everyone except Mayfield and Rosen would be busts,   I was never so glad to be wrong.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/report-panthers-wanted-browns-pay-134911179.html
 

 

Quote

Report: Panthers wanted Browns to pay $13-14 million of Baker Mayfield’s salary Mike Florio

Thu, May 26, 2022

 

Quote

The deal didn’t happen because the two teams couldn’t come to an agreement as to the amount of Mayfield’s $18.8 million guaranteed salary that would be paid by the Browns.

 

Quote

The gap was too large. While it’s unclear what the Browns were willing to pay, the Panthers reportedly wanted the Browns to shoulder most of the 

 

[StHustle]

I think teams know if they deal for Baker they must play hardball now. Teams are pissed off with the Browns for that Watson contract and any team that bails them out will also be in the doghouse and likely face backlash when trying to make future deals with other teams.

[CA OC Bills Fan]

On 5/7/2022 at 7:38 AM, WhoTom said:

 

 

I was under the impression that the team pressured him to play through it. Did he ever say it was his decision?

 

 

 

I had heard at the time it was his decision.

[stuvian]

The Browns will find a buyer when a starting QB gets a season ending injury in training camp or the preseason.

 

Geno Smith is the starter in Seattle 

[TBBills]

24 minutes ago, stuvian said:

The Browns will find a buyer when a starting QB gets a season ending injury in training camp or the preseason.

 

Geno Smith is the starter in Seattle 

TBH a team might want a top draft pick instead of getting Baker... unless the Browns take most the cap hit.

 

Browns are gonna have to take a ***** on this deal.

Edited May 27, 2022 by TBBills

[ALF]

Seahawks reportedly have 'high level of interest' in Baker Mayfield

Per Josina Anderson, Seattle is even open to extending Mayfield's contract, which is set to expire after next season. The former Oklahoma Sooners star will be playing the upcoming season on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract after it was previously exercised by the Browns.

 

https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/sports/seahawks-have-high-level-of-interest-in-baker-mayfield

[Captain Hindsight]

16 hours ago, ALF said:

Seahawks reportedly have 'high level of interest' in Baker Mayfield

Per Josina Anderson, Seattle is even open to extending Mayfield's contract, which is set to expire after next season. The former Oklahoma Sooners star will be playing the upcoming season on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract after it was previously exercised by the Browns.

 

https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/sports/seahawks-have-high-level-of-interest-in-baker-mayfield

Translation “We just saw Geno and Drew lock throw the ball”

Edited June 24, 2022 by Captain Hindsight

[SCBills]

4 hours ago, ALF said:

Seahawks reportedly have 'high level of interest' in Baker Mayfield

Per Josina Anderson, Seattle is even open to extending Mayfield's contract, which is set to expire after next season. The former Oklahoma Sooners star will be playing the upcoming season on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract after it was previously exercised by the Browns.

 

https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/sports/seahawks-have-high-level-of-interest-in-baker-mayfield

 

Baker makes too much sense in Seattle.  No clue why this hasn't happened yet.  Pete Carroll loves to run the ball and play defense.  They just need a QB who can make throws off play action and get the ball to DK/Lockett... Healthy Baker is not elite, but he can do that.  

 

In a weak NFC, that's likely enough to get them to the Playoffs. 

 

Seattle doesn't seem to have draft capital to really be heavy in the '23 QB Draft anyway.

[Doc]

Just now, SCBills said:

 

Baker makes too much sense in Seattle.  No clue why this hasn't happened yet.  Pete Carroll loves to run the ball and play defense.  They just need a QB who can make throws off play action and get the ball to DK/Lockett... Healthy Baker is not elite, but he can do that.  

 

In a weak NFC, that's likely enough to get them to the Playoffs. 

 

Seattle doesn't seem to have draft capital to really be heavy in the '23 QB Draft anyway.

 

They're waiting for his/the price to drop.

[Greg S]

1 minute ago, SCBills said:

 

Baker makes too much sense in Seattle.  No clue why this hasn't happened yet.  Pete Carroll loves to run the ball and play defense.  They just need a QB who can make throws off play action and get the ball to DK/Lockett... Healthy Baker is not elite, but he can do that.  

 

In a weak NFC, that's likely enough to get them to the Playoffs. 

 

Seattle doesn't seem to have draft capital to really be heavy in the '23 QB Draft anyway.

 

I am glad Baker is staying out of the division. He isn't great but he is better than Tua, Jones, Wilson.

[Fan in Chicago]

13 minutes ago, SCBills said:

 

Baker makes too much sense in Seattle.  No clue why this hasn't happened yet.  Pete Carroll loves to run the ball and play defense.  They just need a QB who can make throws off play action and get the ball to DK/Lockett... Healthy Baker is not elite, but he can do that.  

 

In a weak NFC, that's likely enough to get them to the Playoffs. 

 

Seattle doesn't seem to have draft capital to really be heavy in the '23 QB Draft anyway.

Imo, Baker is not damaged goods and should get a second chance with a team which has a strong and experienced head coach, a good culture and/or strong locker room with veteran players.

 

Seattle, hence, makes sense to me also. Other option would have been the Colts but I think Reich must be too burned by the Wentz disaster. 

[Greg S]

8 minutes ago, Fan in Chicago said:

Imo, Baker is not damaged goods and should get a second chance with a team which has a strong and experienced head coach, a good culture and/or strong locker room with veteran players.

 

Seattle, hence, makes sense to me also. Other option would have been the Colts but I think Reich must be too burned by the Wentz disaster. 

 

He could easily get burned with 37 year old Matt Ryan. I agree with you that the Colts would be a great spot for Baker. Great OL, JT, solid defense. He would do well there.

[ganesh]

On 5/7/2022 at 7:29 PM, CincyBillsFan said:

Man thinking back to 2018 who would have thought this is how it would turn out for that QB class?  All the worry & bellyaching about Allen and here we are in 2022 with Allen not only being the best of that class but 2 of the others have washed out, a 3rd is in limbo and on the verge of washing out and the 4th - Lamar Jackson - has seen his production drop and is in a stalled contract negotiation.

 

Meanwhile Allen is a top 3 QB, locked up for years and the face of the Bills franchise.  Amazing.

 

 

I believe that is incorrect.  Lamar has chosen not to negotiate yet with the Ravens.  It is not stalled by any means when it has not even started.

[CincyBillsFan]

37 minutes ago, ganesh said:

I believe that is incorrect.  Lamar has chosen not to negotiate yet with the Ravens.  It is not stalled by any means when it has not even started.

A difference without distinction.

[Doc]

2 hours ago, ganesh said:

I believe that is incorrect.  Lamar has chosen not to negotiate yet with the Ravens.  It is not stalled by any means when it has not even started.

 

The Ravens must have let Lamar know what they're willing to pay him.  For Lamar to not even negotiate with the Ravens makes no sense unless he's looking to hit FA.

[Albany,n.y.]

1 minute ago, Doc said:

 

The Ravens must have let Lamar know what they're willing to pay him.  For Lamar to not even negotiate with the Ravens makes no sense unless he's looking to hit FA.

More like he feels that coming off an injury plagued 2021 season, he is confident enough in himself to command a better contract than if he signed before this season.  He's betting on himself to have a great season.  He's not leaving Baltimore if he plays like he thinks he will.  

[Doc]

22 minutes ago, Albany,n.y. said:

More like he feels that coming off an injury plagued 2021 season, he is confident enough in himself to command a better contract than if he signed before this season.  He's betting on himself to have a great season.  He's not leaving Baltimore if he plays like he thinks he will.  

Sure now that's the case, but he wasn't injured until week 14 last season.  At the latest he should have gone to the Ravens for a new contract right after Josh got his and gotten one done well before he got injured.  I just don't believe that the Ravens didn't tell him what they're willing to give him after Josh got paid, and it was far less that what he thought he deserved, which is what led to the radio silence from him (I think the same thing happened with Mayfield). 

 

But yes, now that he's injured, he's going to have to prove he can stay healthy and can play well.  Before getting injured last year he had 18 total TDs to 13 INTs.  And even then, if he does both, they can franchise him. 

[Pokebball]

1 hour ago, Albany,n.y. said:

More like he feels that coming off an injury plagued 2021 season, he is confident enough in himself to command a better contract than if he signed before this season.  He's betting on himself to have a great season.  He's not leaving Baltimore if he plays like he thinks he will.  

Guaranteed money in a new contract is what is probably most at risk, right?

[BarleyNY]

16 hours ago, ganesh said:

I believe that is incorrect.  Lamar has chosen not to negotiate yet with the Ravens.  It is not stalled by any means when it has not even started.

This can’t be the case.  Besides reports of negotiations between him and the team, why would Lamar have held himself out of voluntary OTAs if he wasn’t even negotiating yet?  That makes no sense at all. 

[YoloinOhio]

 

[That's No Moon]

15 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

That would be bold given that we don't know what will happen with the Watson situation

[njbuff]

2 minutes ago, That's No Moon said:

That would be bold given that we don't know what will happen with the Watson situation

Mayfield would probably never suit up for the Browns ever again, even if he isn’t traded.

 

The Browns royally (tr)ucked Mayfield.

[Doc]

2 minutes ago, That's No Moon said:

That would be bold given that we don't know what will happen with the Watson situation

 

Not really.  Mayfield has made it clear he won't play for them again so why keep that hanging around their heads?  And again if they keep him the best they can hope for is a late-3rd round comp pick in 2024.

[The Dean]

5 hours ago, BarleyNY said:

This can’t be the case.  Besides reports of negotiations between him and the team, why would Lamar have held himself out of voluntary OTAs if he wasn’t even negotiating yet?  That makes no sense at all. 

 

 

Is this sarcastic?

 

Many players who have no contract issues pending skip VOLUNTARY OTAs.  There can be a variety of reasons for this.  

[BarleyNY]

53 minutes ago, The Dean said:

 

 

Is this sarcastic?

 

Many players who have no contract issues pending skip VOLUNTARY OTAs.  There can be a variety of reasons for this.  

You can’t be serious.  Please list all of the starting QBs without contract issues that did this.  From what I can find that list for this off-season is Brady and Rodgers, who obviously do not need the practice.  Also QBs Kyler Murray (contract issues) and Baker Mayfield (excused, team trying to trade).

 

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/which-nfl-players-are-sitting-out-otas-lamar-jackson-kyler-murray-among-stars-not-at-offseason-activities/amp/

Edited June 26, 2022 by BarleyNY

[Mr. WEO]

3 hours ago, Doc said:

 

Not really.  Mayfield has made it clear he won't play for them again so why keep that hanging around their heads?  And again if they keep him the best they can hope for is a late-3rd round comp pick in 2024.

 

Browns replaced the guy who said he would never play for them again with the guy who said he would never play for his last team.....then molested dozens of women.

 

Haslam easily the worst owner in the league 

[Doc]

Just now, Mr. WEO said:

Browns replaced the guy who said he would never play for them again with the guy who said he would never play for his last team.....then molested dozens of women.

 

Haslam easily the worst owner in the league 

 

After that contract, I'm sure even the other owners would agree.

[Mr. WEO]

1 minute ago, Doc said:

 

After that contract, I'm sure even the other owners would agree.

 

That's just the icing on a fetid cake

[Doc Brown]

3 hours ago, That's No Moon said:

That would be bold given that we don't know what will happen with the Watson situation

The divorce happened when they signed Watson.  The final paper work just got screwed up.

[That's No Moon]

1 hour ago, Doc Brown said:

The divorce happened when they signed Watson.  The final paper work just got screwed up.

Agreed but sometimes ppl have to live together for awhile because of circumstances.

[4merper4mer]

6 minutes ago, That's No Moon said:

Agreed but sometimes ppl have to live together for awhile because of circumstances.

Wait.  Baker got the Browns pregnant?  Was that in the parking lot of The Cheesecake Factory?

[NoSaint]

5 hours ago, That's No Moon said:

That would be bold given that we don't know what will happen with the Watson situation

Watson could be permanently banished today and mayfield would still be traded

[TheyCallMeAndy]

Anytime I feel like my life is a mess, I just look at the Browns. 

[ganesh]

On 6/26/2022 at 3:56 AM, Albany,n.y. said:

More like he feels that coming off an injury plagued 2021 season, he is confident enough in himself to command a better contract than if he signed before this season.  He's betting on himself to have a great season.  He's not leaving Baltimore if he plays like he thinks he will.  

With the Watson deal in the bag,  Lamar is looking at losing a guaranteed contract of $250M if he chooses not sign an extension with the Ravens right now.   

 

It is amazing how we got lucky with the Josh Allen contract.  On the flip side we have had to pay the premium for Miller and  for extending Diggs.    We will also be paying higher for Poyer,  Knox and possibly Edwards. 

[The Dean]

8 hours ago, BarleyNY said:

You can’t be serious.  Please list all of the starting QBs without contract issues that did this.  From what I can find that list for this off-season is Brady and Rodgers, who obviously do not need the practice.  Also QBs Kyler Murray (contract issues) and Baker Mayfield (excused, team trying to trade).

 

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/which-nfl-players-are-sitting-out-otas-lamar-jackson-kyler-murray-among-stars-not-at-offseason-activities/amp/

 

Well, I wasn't restricting myself to QBs, but you YOU JUST NAMED TWO QBS who didn't attend OTAs.  Do you really think Jackson needs the "practice" that occurs in OTAs?  He is the unquestionable starter for the Ravens as has been in that system for three years. He won an MVP in that offense. I'm sure he doesn't need the limited practice they manage to get in OTAs. It's most valuable for rookies and new players to the system. Now, to be sure, I'd like every player to be there, even if they don't need the practice. But we know that isn't always the case.

 

Also keep in mind, Jackson is his own agent. That is particularly unusual, especially for a starting QB. He marches to the beat of a different drummer than the "typical" NFL player. Why assign the logic and motivations of the typical player?  Doesn't make sense to me. Nobody in the organization, including Jackson, seems to have any serious concerns with the situation. 

 

Quote

“He is a unique cat, and what are you going to do with a guy who wants to be unique?” Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said at the NFL league meetings in March. "You don't browbeat him into being a conformist.

 

https://www.espn.com/blog/baltimore-ravens/post/_/id/56056/inside-the-different-paths-lamar-jacksons-contract-can-take-with-the-ravens

 

So if I was a Raven's fan I wouldn't be all that stressed out, at the moment. Everyone is saying the right things and nobody involved (as far as I can see) is fretting over the contract negotiation at the moment.

 

 

 

[Augie]

6 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

The divorce happened when they signed Watson.  The final paper work just got screwed up.

 

And by “final paperwork”, I assume you mean the whole thing from start to finish. Lordy! What a mess! But yeah, it was over. 

 

I really feel for Brown’s fans. I honestly think they provide their fans with far more anguish than the drought. “We suck” is one thing. “We should be good but keep finding ways for our criminal owner to screw it up”…..is something else.  

 

 

 

.

Edited June 27, 2022 by Augie