It’s been weeks since the 2022 NFL Draft, and Baker Mayfield’s future remains as uncertain as ever. Mayfield was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the first-overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. In 2020, Mayfield quarterbacked the Browns to their first playoff victory since 1994. However, after a down year from Mayfield in 2021, the Browns acquired quarterback Deshaun Watson from the Texans to replace him, despite voluminous allegations of sexual misconduct on Watson’s part.
On Sunday, in an appearance on SportsCenter, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN said that a deal that would send Mayfield from Cleveland to the Carolina Panthers “might not be completely dead.” However, after the Panthers selected Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral on the second day of the draft, such a deal seems less likely.
Perhaps the Browns are waiting to see what kind of suspension, if any, the NFL issues to Deshaun Watson. If it’s long enough, they may opt to keep Mayfield around for the length of the suspension, then trade him midseason.
At this point, it’s anyone’s guess.
