The Cleveland Browns are moving forward with Deshaun Watson as their prospective quarterback. Jacoby Brissett was formally signed on Friday to provide depth and a potential starter should Watson be suspended.
The word potential is important in the last sentence as Baker Mayfield is currently still in the team’s roster. If this is still true through a strange event through Week 1, it could be Mayfield starting during a Watson suspension.
This offseason has been difficult for the former top overall winner. Mayfield underwent surgery on the shoulder injury that had plagued much of the 2021 season. Cleveland’s front office reiterated hope that he would recover, told his agents they were only looking for a clear upgrade in position, and then found out the team was chasing Watson.
After Watson reportedly told the team they were out of the race for his services, Mayfield requested a swap. Specifically, Mayfield wanted to go to Indianapolis. Here’s where Browns legend Joe Thomas thinks Mayfield made a mistake:
Thomas’ logic is solid. Cleveland wanted to continue with Mayfield at the time, while Watson seemingly went to New Orleans and Atlanta. Towards the end of his comments, Thomas hit the nail on the head:
“I thought that he was perceived as a franchise quarterback in the NFL and that he could sort of dictate the terms on which he’s traded.”
Unfortunately for both Mayfield and the Browns, not only does that end up inaccurate, but his letter to Cleveland fans and his trade request appear to have lowered his overall value.
Joe Thomas believes Mayfield got “sensitive” and then overplayed his hand. If the quarterback had stayed calm and focused on what he could control, he might not be facing the NFL’s version of the music chairs right now.