Baker Mayfield still in limbo with Cleveland Browns

BEREA, Ohio — The NFL draft came and went, and quarterback Baker Mayfield is still a member of the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns couldn’t swing a trade with the Carolina Panthers, and according to multiple sources, never got close. As talks intensified during Friday’s second round, sources said Carolina wanted Cleveland to pay a significant portion of Mayfield’s guaranteed $19 million salary next season. The Browns balked, and Carolina traded up into the third round to draft Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral, killing those trade talks, according to sources. As it stands, Corral — not Mayfield — will compete with Sam Darnold for Carolina’s starting job, and Mayfield remains in limbo with the franchise that took him No. 1 overall four years ago.

In 2018, Mayfield arrived in Cleveland, a city that has been searching for a franchise quarterback since the Bernie Kosar era of the 1980s, with enormous fanfare. But after quarterbacking the Browns to their first playoff victory in 26 years in 2020, his standing with the front office and locker room declined. Struggles on the field, a messy split with receiver Odell Beckham Jr. that divided the team, quarterback Deshaun Watson’s willingness to waive his no-trade clause to join Cleveland, and a perceived slight from the Browns’ front office all contributed to effectively end Mayfield’s time in Cleveland, pushing both sides to seek a fresh start.

In March, the Browns traded for Watson, even though he faced, and continues to face, 22 civil lawsuits from women alleging sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions. Two grand juries in Texas declined to indict Watson on criminal charges, but the NFL is also conducting its own investigation, which could result in a suspension. Watson said he has “never assaulted, disrespected or harassed any woman,” and he plans to fight the lawsuits.

Mayfield, however, is still waiting for his new beginning. With no other trade partner on the horizon and Cleveland thus far…