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- The Browns released a statement following the Baker Mayfield trade
- Cleveland commended the QB for his time under center, saying his passion left a lasting mark on the city
- Fans are calling the Browns out after the way they threw him aside for Deshaun Watson
The Browns have traded Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers. The move ends an offseason of drama between the signal caller and the team that drafted him.
The 2021 season ended with Cleveland missing out on the playoffs, and Mayfield needing shoulder surgery in January. The passer played through injury for most of the year, leading the Browns to an 6-8 mark in his 14 starts. This, a season after taking the organization to its first postseason appearance in nearly 20 years.
Despite the past success and the fact that he played at less than 100% in 2021, Cleveland made the surprising move to sign Deshaun Watson to a $230M deal this offseason.
That move solidified Mayfield’s standing as the second option on the team, beginning a dramatic breakup between the two sides. Mayfield penned a letter to fans to signal his desire to leave. Cleveland’s front office called him a child with how he handled the split.
With the way things went down in Cleveland, it seemed that both parties were eager to part ways. Unfortunately, it took some time for the Browns to unload their former top pick. The QB market dried up and potential suitors chose to look to the draft rather than take a chance on Mayfield.
After a long, drawn-out trade effort, the Panthers finally pulled the trigger. For just a fifth-round pick, Carolina landed a player that could wind up starting under center day one.
Following the trade, the Browns’ social media team released a statement commending the passer for his time in Cleveland. And they’re getting rightfully blasted after the way they tossed him aside.
Fans react to the Browns’ statement following the Baker Mayfield trade
After the Baker Mayfield deal, the Browns released a pair of statements on social media. One came from owner Jimmy Haslam, the other from GM Andrew Berry.
Baker's passion and spirit have left a lasting mark on our organization and city. pic.twitter.com/nEAHZ8eumS
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) July 6, 2022
The two statements comment on Mayfield’s contributions to the team, his passion to win, and his support of the community. It’s a sharp contrast from the player they replaced him with, who has caused a split in the fanbase and uncertainty on the field in 2022.
Fans are blasting the Browns for the way they handled the situation on Twitter.
Y’all finally have a quarterback who wins with you and you drop him after one bad season and pay an alleged sexual assaulter $230 million
— CUTESALAD (@CUTESalad) July 6, 2022
Y’all can spare us with these statements. We’re not buying what you’re selling.
— Kevin Scanlon (@semo_kscanlon) July 6, 2022
You guys should be ashamed, Baker was 1 healthy season away from being the best Browns QB ever in the SuperBowl era!
— shakir betta (@ShakirBetta) July 6, 2022
He was the best quarterback we’ve had in a long time 😭
— Graham cracker (@__Graham_____) July 6, 2022
Translation: Baker was a special player that helped drag our sorry ass franchise out of the mud. As an expression of our gratitude we called him a child and then signed a man that is still settling a few of his 40 accusations of sexual assault to replace him. https://t.co/LsSpuyCdHT
— Antonio (@BossAssBatch) July 6, 2022
Others hint that Mayfield might be enjoying seeing the Browns sweat out their current QB situation. His replacement, Deshaun Watson, faces a possible suspension.
— Alex (@SoonerbeastGG) July 6, 2022
Should Mayfield beat out Sam Darnold, he will face his former team in week one of the 2022 season. The Panthers host Cleveland in the season opener. Mayfield doesn’t have the starting role yet, but if he does secure it, he’ll have revenge on his mind.