Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Baker Mayfield denies report he could ask Browns to trade him

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 1/6/22

In the last week alone, both Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and backup quarterback Case Keenum have hinted, without directly saying, that the Browns were wrong to repeatedly play starting signal-caller Baker Mayfield as Mayfield dealt with a torn labrum and fractured bone at the top of the humerus, and also several lower-body injuries.

The numbers indicate a visibly hurting Mayfield held Cleveland's offense back. Per ESPN stats, the No. 1 pick of the 2018 NFL Draft will end his season 27th among eligible quarterbacks with an 83.1 passer rating, 26th with a 35.3 total QBR, 22nd with 3,010 passing yards and tied for 20th with 17 passing touchdowns.

A divorce may be imminent, but it's unclear who would officially request a parting of the ways this offseason.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports Mayfield could ask for a trade if he "doesn’t get assurances that things will change next season," specifically regarding the offensive scheme embraced by head coach and current play-caller Kevin Stefanski.

Mayfield took to Twitter Thursday afternoon to deny the story:

Clickbait. You and many other Cleveland local media continue to be drama stirring reporters with no sources or facts. Don’t put words in my mouth so you can put food on your table. I’m not your puppet. https://t.co/MfHnqWk65s
— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) January 6, 2022

The harsh truth is Mayfield's trade value has likely never been lower due to his injuries, his recent performances and the fact he carries a salary of $18.858 million for the 2022 campaign via the fifth-year option attached to his rookie contract. Cleveland may spend time exploring a move for a veteran such as Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, or Jimmy Garoppolo, but it's still unknown if any of those choices will be available at realistic prices that would include sending Mayfield away.

Mayfield must first have surgery on his damaged non-throwing shoulder and then get right at some point before the summer months. Once that happens, it may behoove everyone involved if the 26-year-old and Stefanski have serious talks about if the two can work together for at least one more season.

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