I'm with you Lyman, that was very telling. I also remember a few years back when Chubb ran for about an 85 yard TD, and Baker on the sidelines saying "did you see that handoff?". I know it was in jest but still bothered me. Dumb thing to focus on, but it did stick with me for some reason. The Odel thing did in fact split the locker room, and I always felt that too was more of a Baker thing. Odel has consistently been a locker room favorite among his team mates, and that kind of split indicated a lot less Baker "belief" than I thought was there. Troubling for Baker as a leader. In fact I believe his lack of team mate support is more important than his lousy performance last year. We know he can perform better, but can he lead men? ??
I mean, we know for a fact he lost the reciever room but Odell played a big role in that. As for the rest of the team, it's up to interpretation probably. But moreover, what are the teammates supposed to do? The writing was not only on the wall (when the letter was sent), but 2-3 days later it became 100% locked in once the Browns went back to Deshaun's camp and offered the NFL's largest contract in history. Wyatt Teller, who was hanging with Baker while that going down, isn't going to come out publicly and say the F/O is being deceitful and he supports Baker over the 'new guy', is he? That's bad business all around. No, the issue is that the Browns F/O have zero leverage right now -- there are teams who can add a QB in the draft in a few weeks. There are still a handful of free agents to kick the tires on. Trades can still happen. No one's hand-wringing over Jimmy Garoppolo still under contract with San Francisco while they've privately and publically stated Trey Lance will be the starter. And on top of having zero leverage, they're holding out for a first round pick. They'll get a second for him once a team realizes that the rookie they draft isn't ready, the veteran (if they're lucky) isn't capable enough, and the regular season is fast-approaching. He'll be a Seahawk or Lion by the end of July.
For what its worth . . . During Deshawn Watson's introductory press conference, Andrew Berry revealed that the Browns started looking at their options in trading for Watson about 5 or 6 months ago. That would put it in the October or November, 2021 time frame. Then, within the last two days, Joe Thomas (in his podcast) stated that the Browns offered Baker Mayfield a $30M contract "early last season" and Mayfield turned it down. I'll let Y'all connect the dots.
Obviously, none of us are there, but supposedly the $30M/yr offer isn't accurate. The "unnamed" source refutes that it ever came to an actual offer. Reading between the lines, we can most likely surmise that the Browns were wanting him at around $30M per year, but his camp felt that a starting QB who had just won the first playoff game for the franchise in 26 years against the division rival, then came very close to beating the unbeatable Chiefs had a market higher than $30M. Hell, we were all arguing at the end of last season what an extension looks like and I think everyone on the low end was starting at $35M per year. I think, had he not gotten hurt, reality bares out that his market is probably somewhere between $35M-40M per year, if he performs the way he did in the second half on of 2020. The new contracts would strengthen that stance. If I'm Mayfield's group, I would have rather played on my current contract without extension to prove the 2020 numbers were only going to grow. He lost in the fact that the injury made that impossible to achieve and now he is stuck in limbo. Attitude would have gone a long way in negotiations, but they way he is whining publicly, teams aren't as willing to take a chance on successful surgery. He needs a healthy year under his belt and he can get back in the contract negotiation phase of his career. FOR NOW.. the Browns are probably going to need to work with a trade partner. I think it probably starts with changing the asking price to a 3rd rounder AND eating about half of his 2022 salary. Baker won't be willing to sign a new contract and no one is giving a 2nd or higher draft pick on a single year injury recovery Baker Mayfield. However, I can't see a universe where the Browns simply cut him and pay the full salary. That accomplishes NOTHING. They hold his rights, they can keep him from playing for another team, without allowing him to come to camps or be in the locker room. They can essentially black ball him from the NFL for a season if that's what it takes.
They could do that, but listening to some of Stefanski's comments, it's pretty obvious that he wants the front office to get a deal done that gets Baker out of Cleveland, and the sooner the better. Stefanski hopes for resolution to Mayfield 'situation' and 'soon' At this point, it would be very awkward having Mayfield in our QB room, but if ya gotta pay him anyway, why not hold onto him and have him start during the expected suspension of DW? Showcase him in the preseason. He's not going to intentionally play poorly and negatively effect his own value. The way things change so quickly in this league, we could still wind up getting a #1 or #2 out of him if he plays well through September...It's definitely something our FO has to consider if we can't get a deal done soon. By no means should we just cut him. link - Baker Mayfield Rumors: NFL Insider Says Teams Would 'Pounce' on Browns QB If Released I still think Seattle will come to their senses and make it happen within the month. They can't seriously be comfortable in any way with Geno and Lock...
There is a resounding difference between Cleveland and San Francisco.If the 49ers cut Garopollo, they save $25M.. If the Browns cut Mayfield they save $0. They have to pay him no matter the outcome, other than a trade. Even if they pay half of his salary to get a team to make the trade, so be it, they would still get a draft pick and save half of his salary... NO POSSIBLE WAY, they cut Mayfield, pay his entire 5th year option, and allow him to go wherever he wants to play... Everyone is saying Seattle would be interested if they cut him... So would the Steelers. One could argue the Steelers are in a better position to help Baker get that contract next off season. They aren't idiots, it makes no sense in any way to cut him... It will not happen.
FTR: Right now the Seahawks are the heavy favorite to have Baker on the opening day roster, even more than Cleveland, according to Sportsbooks. Seahawks +150 Browns +350 Steelers +600 Panthers +600 Lions +700
Even if we had to eat more than half of his salary, it would be smarter to do that and re-coup something in the way of draft capital, rather than simply cutting him loose and paying him in full anyway...The thing is, we would only be responsible for the $ difference in his new deal. So it could happen. If Baker wants to be a problem and not show up or whatever then that's on him...
If he doesn’t show up, then he would be doing the Browns a favor. Then they could take game checks away.
He wouldn't do that.... There is a market for Baker Mayfield, it's just not in the $18M range. Honest question...If the Browns cut Mayfield, there will be teams trying to get him for sure. Cleveland owes him $18.5M this season minus whatever he would sign for, which I'm guessing will still be in the $10M range at least. So yeah, there is a reason why they might cut him, as much as we all hate the notion....If it does happen, will the signing team be aloud to screw the Browns by working fancy numbers on the first year of his deal as if they were only paying him a million, thus forcing Cleveland to pony up the remaining $17.5M? (Just asking for a friend. I don't know what kind of team would try a shenanigan like that.)
Only if he didn't sign anywhere. If we cut Baker, whatever amount he signs for will be deducted from the $18.5 Cleveland owes him.
Hearing that the Browns FO is getting the cold shoulder at the meetings. Not surprising given the fact that they just made the asking price for a QB $40 mil Plus, and guarantees up to 5 years. That puts teams like Cinci, LA Chargers, Baltimore .... in a very different position going forward. Brady and Stafford just made the high priced QB rental a thing, then the Browns threw down the gauntlet with the guaranteed money. I'm sure most owners are cursing them right now. As for Baker, it's a game of chicken. Yes Cleveland needs to trade him, but don't have to rush the decision. Between now and training camp, there may still be movement in the QB ranks, and a draft that doesn't seem likely to produce a Mahome/Burrow type QB, and injuries are always a wild card, so aside from the discomfort of Baker being "on the roster", there's no urgency from a business standpoint. This cold linger for a while before one of the teams in need swallows their distaste for Cleveland's power move and starts looking at their impending season with a questionable QB. After all, it's a one year "prove it" year for Baker, not a marriage.
My bad, they would save $1.035M and he could sign and play for any team he chooses, including the Steelers, who happen to need a QB.
What incentive does either side have in bidding wars for his services? Baker is getting paid the same no matter what that first year, why would he punish his new team by helping the Browns with cap relief?
Im beginning to wonder if the possible suitors around the NFL that need a QB are deliberately holding out on offering for Mayfield because they know the Browns are caught between a rock and a hard place and just might have to cut Mayfield eventually because of the Browns QB situation. Stefanski has already said Brissett is the back-up... so that tells me even if there is a Watson suspension, Brissett would get the gig, not Mayfield. I cant see any situation where Mayfield takes another snap in a Browns uniform... so if teams wait, they will force the Browns to make a better/more friendlier deal. Guess im guessing, Mayfield gets released and goes through wavers... cant see how the Browns can keep him on the roster and I dont see any other viable option and that sucks for the Browns and their FO. Its a very awkward/unique/strange situation that I cant remember ever happening to a former #1 QB. Teams need and could use a Baker Mayfield, but I think they are waiting, which will only force the Browns hand. 'just an opinion from someone on the outside looking in'
