BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Baker Mayfield got sacked by the Browns.
Owner Jimmy Haslam did his best Friday afternoon to help the soon to be former Browns quarterback up following a blockbuster trade with the Texans for Deshaun Watson.
“We think highly of Baker and did not get down on him,” Haslam said during a Zoom video call.
Haslam played a little defense too.
ESPN’s Chris Mortenson reported a day after the Haslams along with head coach Kevin Stefanski and EVP/GM Andrew Berry flew to Houston to meet with and recruit Watson that the organization was looking for an “adult” at the position.
The comment infuriated Mayfield’s camp considering the multitude of sexual assault, misconduct, or harassment allegations Watson faces.
“I know that there was a statement that we need an ‘adult in the room’ and Baker felt that came from ownership, but that’s not true,” Haslam said. “Baker gave it everything he had while he was here. Nobody could question his efforts this past year and nobody could question the four years he gave to the city of Cleveland, and we wish him nothing but the best of luck.”
Following the Browns’ Tuesday meeting with Watson, Mayfield posted a thank you style goodbye to Cleveland on his social media accounts.
A day later Mayfield requested a trade, which the Browns denied after learning they were out of the running for Watson.
Late Friday afternoon, the Browns shocked everyone and had an agreement in place for Watson to waive his no-trade clause to come to Cleveland with a fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million over five years awaiting him.
With the quarterback market dried up, the Browns, who are trying to trade the 2018 No. 1 overall pick, are currently stuck with Mayfield and his guaranteed $18.858 million salary.