Browns HC Kevin Stefanski wants Baker Mayfield situation 'resolved soon'

For better or for worse, the Cleveland Browns officially introduced Deshaun Watson as their new starting quarterback to media members and fans during a Friday press conference that was, at times, tense and uncomfortable. It remains unknown if Watson will be ineligible for any part of the 2022 NFL season via a suspension, a stint on the commissioner's exempt list or a combination of the two. The status of current Cleveland signal-caller Baker Mayfield is also very much in question this spring. 

Mayfield, the 2018 first overall draft pick, is guaranteed $18.858 million for 2022 thanks to the fifth-year option attached to his rookie contract. It was reported last week that the Browns "are actively trying to trade" the 26-year-old "as soon as possible," and Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters at the league's annual meeting on Monday the franchise is "hoping" that the situation involving the club's former starter is "resolved soon." 

"It's a unique situation," Stefanski explained, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. "We've got to see how it plays out. I think all of us would love an answer yesterday, but that's not the reality of it."

By all accounts, it seems that Mayfield potentially filling in if Watson is prevented from playing this coming fall isn't an option. The Browns signed journeyman veteran Jacoby Brissett before the weekend and could pencil him in as QB1 if necessary. 

"That's something we've spoken about," Stefanski added about possibly starting Brissett. "Until we know that final answer — we're speaking in hypotheticals right now — but we've got to be ready whenever a decision is made, potentially to go with Jacoby, or not. So we'll wait and see what the league has."

A pair of grand juries elected against indicting Watson as he faces 22 civil lawsuits regarding allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. The three-time Pro Bowl selection has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and did so again on Friday.