Baker Mayfield requests trade, Browns reject request

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has requested a trade following their pursuit of Deshaun Watson. Hardly a surprising outcome considering Mayfield’s goodbye note on Twitter, the lack of extension talks, and the report of the team wanting an adult.

Just like most things Browns related, this is not going to be easy. The Browns are not going to accommodate Mayfield’s request.

Both sides are now in an awaked position as Baker Mayfield now wants out and the team was actively looking to replace him. Not accommodating trade requests is not unprecedented by the current Browns regime as David Njoku and Odell Beckham Jr. requested to be traded multiple times with neither coming to fruition. In Beckham’s case attempts were made before his ultimate release. Njoku has been franchise tagged while the two sides attempt to work out a long term deal.

The best path forward is for the Browns trade Baker Mayfield and get it over with. Considering the personality of Mayfield, the moment they were publicly involved with Watson the relationship between the two sides was irreparable. If they do not move Mayfield it is a situation that could become incredibly damaging for all involved. It is time to move on to their next quarterback and end Mayfield’s stay in Cleveland.