Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Teams demanding a pick back to take on Baker Mayfield's contract?

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated 3/21/22

The Cleveland Browns are searching for a potential trade suitor for Baker Mayfield after they acquired Deshaun Watson in a blockbuster deal last week, but it is possible they may not find one.

There appear to be very few — if any — teams interested in Mayfield. The former first overall pick is in the final year of his rookie deal, and he is set to earn a whopping $18.8 million next season. ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Monday that one team told the Browns they would need to receive a draft pick in any potential deal for Mayfield just to take on the quarterback’s contract.

"The Browns had conversation with team about Baker [Mayfield] and the team asked for a pick from the Browns to take Mayfield’s contract." – @AdamSchefter

Added: "If anyone thinks they're going to get a high premium pick for Baker Mayfield they're mistaken." pic.twitter.com/0orQ4l3zvG

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 21, 2022

Mayfield publicly demanded a trade just before the Browns landed Watson. He was said to have strong interest in the Indianapolis Colts, but they traded for Matt Ryan on Monday. The Atlanta Falcons then immediately signed Marcus Mariota, so they already have their Ryan replacement.

The New Orleans Saints were another team that missed out in the Watson sweepstakes, but they re-signed Jameis Winston on Monday. Other than the Seattle Seahawks, there isn’t a team in the NFL left with a clear need for a starting quarterback. Jimmy Garoppolo is also still available.

Mayfield obviously isn’t going to stay with the Browns as a backup. He made it clear when he requested a trade that the relationship between him and the team is in a bad place. Teams know that, which is why Cleveland has almost no leverage. The Browns are unlikely to release Mayfield and eat a ton of money, but trading him is not going to be easy.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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