Baker Mayfield Trade Rumors: Browns Will Take 'Patient Approach' With QB's Situation

The Cleveland Browns might not rush into a decision on Baker Mayfield.

USA Today's Josina Anderson reported Tuesday that the Browns are currently planning a patient approach toward Mayfield. The team might have a first-round pick in 2022, according to Anderson.

IG: JosinaAnderson @JosinaAnderson

While anything can happen my understanding is the #Browns currently plan a patient approach w/ Baker Mayfield's situation. It's also entirely possible they enter the regular season with Mayfield still on the roster & in position to suit up pending Deshaun Watson's playing status.

IG: JosinaAnderson @JosinaAnderson

2/2 The #Browns are budgeted for Mayfield's 5th-yr option salary of $18.8M w/ Watson on the team. Mechanically this means the team is artfully in position to leverage his presence on the roster for a longer window. Meanwhile, Mayfield's not in position to protest in a good light.

While he is no longer at risk of being charged with a crime, Deshaun is still the subject of 22 civil lawsuits, which could lead to a suspension.

It would be nice for Cleveland to have a contingency plan in place in the event thatWatson misses any time.

The reason for keeping him in the absence of a worthwhile trade is because of his contract. If he is released, his $18.9 million salary will count towards the team's cap.

Andrew Berry said that the team doesn't have a specific timetable for the quarterback, and that they don't feel pressed to rush anything.

Zac Jackson @AkronJackson

Andrew Berry still not budging on Baker Mayfield, at least publicly pic.twitter.com/ekNH09hq2E

One can't help but wonder if this is an attempt by the Browns to increase their leverage at a time when they have little bargaining power.

Ian Rapoport reported last Friday that the trade market for Mayfield is not very active because of his high salary.

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet

From NFL Now: Teams are interested in Baker Mayfield, but not at that salary. A look at what's next, how it'll play out... and whether the #Browns could just keep him. pic.twitter.com/cQIzyZoaRK

A lot of teams want him but aren't going to take on the salary, according to an NFL personnel official who spoke to Yahoo Sports.

The source said that interested suitors would have to eat 80 percent of the salary of the quarterback, but they already showed their cards. Teams are going to sit and force them to cut Baker because it is going to be an odd situation.

Considering Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot reported that he had no intentions of playing for the Browns in 2022, the idea of him being content as the backup might be fanciful at best.

Cleveland has already gone through this with Beckham.

The relationship Beckham had with the team deteriorated rapidly in the middle of the 2021 season and he was no longer with the team. The Browns had to release him because nobody was willing to assume his salary.

Berry might have a hard time convincing his fellow general managers that the franchise is not going to trade for Mayfield.