Amid a busy day of quarterback transactions, Baker Mayfield remains a member of the Cleveland Browns.
Mayfield’s options are dwindling after three teams acquired a new passer Monday. Jameis Winston is reportedly re-signing with the New Orleans Saints, and the Atlanta Falcons signed Marcus Mariota after trading Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts.
According to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, the Colts were Mayfield’s top choice. However, that interest wasn’t mutual.
Updated: Baker Mayfield’s 1st choice, the #Colts, never heavily engaged with the #Browns before trading for #Falcons Matt Ryan; landing spots drying up as #Saints tab Jameis Winston and the #Falcons Marcus Mariota https://t.co/Imirtu0KYm
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 21, 2022
“The Colts were never as sweet on Baker Mayfield as he was on them,” Kay Cabot wrote, “and they never engaged heavily with the Browns before trading Monday for Falcons four-time Pro Bowl QB Matt Ryan.”
After going 9-8 with erratic quarterback play from Carson Wentz last season, the Colts stood out as desirable landing spot. They could have afforded Mayfield a capable defense, strong offensive line, and help from 2021 NFL leading rusher Jonathan Taylor.
Now that they opted for Ryan instead, Mayfield will have a tougher time finding a starting job in 2022.
The Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks are the two sensible destinations remaining. NFL insider Evan Massey called Carolina “a potential contender” to land Mayfield, but it’s unclear if Seattle is interested in the former No. 1 pick.
Mayfield requested a trade a day before Cleveland acquired Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the quarterback called the situation “too far gone to mend.”
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