NFL Rumors: Teams Interested In Mayfield Will Need To Absorb Full Contract

Any NFL team who have interest in Baker Mayfield will have to take on his entire salary starting the 2022-23 season.

Although there is no clarity on what team is in the lead for the 27-year-old player’s services, the Cleveland Browns reportedly have no plans to shell out a dime he is due for the coming season despite picking up the fifth-year option.

Mayfield is owed $18 million for the coming NFL season. However according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini (via The Ryen Russilo podcast), the Browns don’t want to pay it.

"The Cleveland Browns do not want to take on that contract. I don’t know the number they’re willing to go to … they want nothing to do with that deal. If you want Baker Mayfield, you’re going to pay that money. Cleveland’s not going to try to split it up with you,” Russini claimed.

Russini’s comments is interesting although this needs validation. No team has strongly pursued the former Sooner as of this writing. However, that is subject to change now that the 2022 NFL Draft has wrapped up.

Given his price tag, it will be interesting if there will be a team who would deal for him at his current salary. A potential scenario would be to see the Browns pick up part of that contract. But as early as now, the Browns do not intend to go that route.

If there are not takers for Mayfield along with his contract, he could remain in Cleveland. However under that scenario, it would count against the Browns cap.

Mayfield was unhappy when the Browns took in Deshaun Watson in an NFL trade The 27-year-old took exception when he was not informed about the trade, learning about it somewhere else.