[ad_1]
CLEVELAND (AP) — Baker Mayfield’s wild four-year run in Cleveland, from being first drafted to being dumped in four years, is over.
Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in 2018, was traded Wednesday by the Browns, who moved from the split quarterback a few months ago, ultimately sending him to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a future draft pick. .
Mayfield, who was pushed out of his starting spot in the Browns’ pursuit of Deshaun Watson, will head to Carolina for a conditional pick in 2024 or 2025.
The Browns will pay Mayfield $10.5 million of next season’s $18.8 million contract, two people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The Panthers will pay $4.8 million and Mayfield will take a $3.5 million pay cut because the deal can’t be completed until Mayfield passes a medical, people familiar with the matter said.
The deal, however, was announced by the Panthers, who will host the Browns in next season’s opener — a game that added spice with the addition of Mayfield.
Mayfield’s time with the Browns actually ended in March, when the team traded three first-round picks and six overall to the Houston Texans for Watson, who may be charged with violating the league’s personal conduct policy And facing suspension.
Watson has been charged with sexual misconduct by two dozen massage therapists in Texas.
Mayfield, who injured his left shoulder for much of last season, felt betrayed by Cleveland’s move with Watson, asked for a trade and then had to wait until the Browns found a team that was both interested in him and willing to take his salary.
Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam thanked Mayfield for his contribution.
“From the moment he was selected, he gave everything for this organization and this city,” they said. “With his fiercely competitive spirit, he inspired a fan base and accomplished things that players at his position hadn’t done in Cleveland for a long time. He also made a difference in the community, both in the Boys and Girls Clubs. Host events that honor our troops, support the Special Olympics, and countless other charities.”
The 27-year-old will compete for Carolina’s starting QB job with Sam Darnold, who was drafted two picks after Mayfield in 2018.
The Panthers, who haven’t made the playoffs since 2017, have been looking for a solid quarterback position since hiring head coach Matt Rhule in 2020. They also played in Watson before Watson chose Cleveland.
Mayfield’s four years with the Browns were less memorable than distracting as he couldn’t end the team’s long search for a franchise QB.
This period has been filled with highs and lows, coaching changes, too much drama and hardly enough wins.
Former Browns general manager John Dorsey, obsessed with Mayfield’s talent and swayed by his hubris, chose first from Russia despite other options, including Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. Heisman Trophy winner from Klahoma State.
Mayfield started his rookie season as Terrod Taylor’s backup before coming off the bench in Week 3 and leading the Browns to their first win in 635 days, beating New York 21-17 on national television Jets.
Mayfield completed 3,725 passing yards and 27 touchdowns as a rookie, breaking the NFL record for a first-year quarterback. For the first time in years, there is real hope for a struggling team that has had 32 starting QBs since 1999.
However, Mayfield’s second season was a major setback. He had nearly as many interceptions (21) as he had touchdowns (22), and seemed to be different from star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Cleveland who went 6-10 and fired coach Freddie Kitchens.
Mayfield also regularly sparred with commentators who criticized his games and sparred with local reporters. His immaturity was especially evident on social media, where he regularly posted condemnations of his critics.
The 2020 season marked a turning point as Mayfield led the Browns to their first postseason appearance since 2003. He’s excelled in first-year coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense, throwing 20 touchdown passes and three interceptions in his last 12 games.
Mayfield guided a playoff victory on Jan. 10, 2021 — the Browns’ first since 1994 — over the rival Pittsburgh Steelers and brought Cleveland in minutes a week later. AFC championship game, then lost to Kansas City.
The resurgence has sparked predictions for the Browns in the 2021-22 Super Bowl and speculation they will sign Mayfield to a long-term contract.
Neither came close to happening.
After losing the much-hyped season opener to the Chiefs, the outcome of the game dictated that when Mayfield threw a late interception, he tore his left shoulder labrum while trying to tackle the following week.
When his injury worsened a few weeks later when he was fired by Arizona’s JJ Watt, Mayfield could never find his rhythm again for the rest of the season. Beckham was forced off the roster and the Browns stumbled 8-9 to miss the playoffs.
Mayfield also drew attention by publicly questioning Stefanski’s style of play.
Mayfield sat down in the final and soon underwent surgery. Browns general manager Andrew Berry said he expected Mayfield to bounce back as the team’s starter in 2022, but that all changed with Watson chasing.
As Watson’s legal entanglements drag on in recent weeks, there has been speculation that Brown could turn to Mayfield. But the quarterback recently said he doesn’t think a settlement is possible.
They ended up with him a long time ago.
___
Associated Press sports writer Steve Reed in Charlotte, North Carolina, contributed to this report.
___
[ad_2]
Source link