According to Adam, Baker feels that his relationship with the Browns is over. (0:54) The Cleveland Browns hadn't won a game in over 600 days before Baker Mayfield arrived. Bud Light had promised free beer in Cleveland if the Browns ever won again. In his first game, he unlocked beer fridges across Cleveland's bars and gave the city hope of a football savior. A hope that's proven to be once again for the Browns. On the heels of Cleveland's failed pursuit to land Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, quarterback Baker Mayfield requested a trade on Thursday. The Browns were told earlier in the day that they weren't in the running for him, and now he has narrowed down the teams he would waive his no-trade clause for. The two sides were at an impasse after the Browns informed his camp they were not accommodating his request. JaMarcus Russell and Jeff George are the only other quarterbacks to go No. 1 overall in the draft and last four or fewer seasons with the team that drafted them. The top 100 deals.
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According to multiple sources, the franchise that made him the fourth quarterback in NFL history to play for four different head coaches in his first three seasons had grown increasingly frustrated with him. The team didn't engage the Mayfield camp on extension talks last year because they were unsure of his long-term answer.
Tensions grew.
They quickly boiled over this week.
A source said it was a cumulative effect.
Sources say that Mayfield remained committed to the team.
While playing with a torn labrum in his non-throwing left shoulder, he struggled last season. He fell all the way to 27th in the league after finishing in the top 10 in QBR.
Sources said that his exit interview with Kevin was productive. The surgery to repair the labrum was performed in January.
After Cleveland traded for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper on March 12, quarterback Baker Mayfield reached out to him, hoping to get him and Cleveland's other pass-catchers in his hometown of Austin, Texas, for an off-season workout.
Andrew Berry and Stefanski had repeatedly stated that they would keep their quarterback.
Berry said in January that they expected Baker to be the starter.
A source familiar with the conversation says Berry told the agent of the quarterback that the Browns might pursue an All-Pro caliber quarterback like Russell Wilson or Rodgers. Even with 22 civil cases pending, the short list could eventually include the woman.
After a Texas grand jury declined to indict the man, the Browns made an aggressive move to get him.
Multiple sources said that that didn't upset Mayfield.
The 26-year-old was offended by the fact that they were flying to Houston to meet with the player.
One source said that they didn't inform Baker ahead of time, just as a courtesy. It really upset Baker.
The city of Cleveland and its fans, who truly embraced who I am, were thanked by the quarterback in a statement that night.
With many uncertainties, here is where my head and heart is. pic.twitter.com/psipN96cmh
— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) March 16, 2022
Multiple sources said the breaking moment was the following day.
A source told Chris that the team wanted to replace Mayfield with an adult at that position.
After learning that the Browns had been eliminated from the list, he requested a trade.
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The trade request was made in the interest of both sides. It is in the best interests of both sides to move on.
It's not clear whether Mayfield ends up being traded.
According to multiple sources, the Browns don't plan to visit him in person. If they missed out on Deshaun, the team could look to pursue another quarterback.
The market for quarterbacks has quickly dwindled.
Jimmy Garoppolo is the last big name on the trade market. He has not been on Cleveland's radar.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan could be the one to watch.
Ryan would become available if Atlanta won the contest. The only team in the market for him might not be the one that made a strong push for him.
Even with Ryan behind center, the Browns could face an uphill battle just to get to the playoffs.
New Orleans could complicate Cleveland's quarterback dilemma further.
In the end, the Browns could try to get rid of Mayfield, who is under contract for one more year. It's possible that Mayfield could hold out.
This could get worse.
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