When I heard the taped “I Love You Bro” podcast with Baker Mayfield had dropped, I was curious as to what he said. I knew he wouldn’t go scorched earth on the Browns. As I mentioned in last week’s blog, the Browns can void all guarantees in Mayfield’s contract if he does or says anything detrimental to the team. He did have some interesting and self-serving comments. This guy is more passive-aggressive than my ex-wife. Some highlights.
He feels 100% disrespected by the Browns because they told him one thing and did another. First of all, the team didn’t sign you to an extension last summer or early in the 2021 season, there’s your first clue. Yes, the Browns started looking for a replacement six months ago, but did you expect them to tell you then? I was fired from a job once, they told me that day and escorted me out of the building. Mayfield and his representatives were told at the NFL combine that if a top tier quarterback became available, the Browns were going to pursue that quarterback. It’s not the Browns fault Mayfield and his representatives didn’t believe what the team told them.
His play last year didn’t help him now. Okay, I understand you’re a warrior playing through all the injuries, but a true leader knows when he’s a liability to the team. The back-ups went 2-1 and if not for one busted defensive play late in the Raiders game, should’ve been 3-0. The AFC North favorites, Baltimore, didn’t win a game with their back-up QB. Are the Browns absolved of blame for this situation? Hell no. Head coach Kevin Stefanski should have made a head coach’s decision and sat Mayfield. However, the medical staff can only go on what the player tells them concerning their pain index and the coaches goes by the medical evaluations. When this subject comes up, I always think of the time during the season when Mayfield was asked by the local media who makes the decision if he plays in a game, he said, “that’s my decision.” Okay, live with it and take responsibility for it, that’s what true team leaders do.
He also burned the bridge to the current locker room by saying there were some players who weren’t playing to win and only playing for their pensions. What? I’m sure Myles Garrett, Nick Chubb, Wyatt Teller, Joel Bitonio, Jarvis Landry, Anthony Walker, Denzel Ward, Troy Hill and John Johnson, III would like to have a word with you. Has anyone noticed that no current Browns player has commented on the podcast? Telling.
Finally, you can come to my office and boo me anytime you want. I’ve been a self-employed accountant for thirty years and had to deal with the Internal Revenue Service and the Tennessee Department of Revenue. All I’ll say is, when you’re done booing, go get me another cup of coffee while you’re up.
On to real Browns news. The list of players visiting the team prior to the draft is growing. Added to the list I gave you last week are, Mississippi LB Mark Robinson, Mississippi Edge Tariquious Tisdale, Arizona State CB Chas Lukas, Arizona State RB Rachaad White, San Diego State K/P Matt Araiza and Georgia RB James Cook. Araiza and Cook are very interesting. Matt Araiza could be signed as a rookie UDFA and give Chase McLaughlin training camp competition. James Cook could be a possible replacement for Kareem Hunt after this year. Both could be stashed on the opening day practice squad. Players report next Monday for the first off-season workouts, if Clowney is going to resign with the Browns, you would think it would happen before then. Finally, I have a feeling a Mayfield trade will happen during the draft or shortly afterward. Let’s hope so, because as a Browns fan who really wanted him to succeed with my favorite football team, I feel 100% disrespected after listening to the “Bro Crush” podcast. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.