Cleveland Browns: National media already trying to send Baker Mayfield to Patriots

One national writer is trying to ruin Super Bowl weekend for Cleveland Browns’ fans, envisioning a scenario Baker Mayfield joins the New England Patriots!

The national media continues to poke and proud the greatest city in the world, trying to send Cleveland Browns’ quarterback Baker Mayfield to the New England Patriots.

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio is one of the game’s most influential writers. When he posts something on his website, everyone pays attention, usually because he’s really good at getting beyond the canned answers and to the truth.

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But to hear Florio talk about Baker Mayfield’s path to the New England Patriots…well, I ran outside to dip my head in the snow bank.

Florio said on Boston’s WEEI (via NESN) that he could see the Patriots landing Mayfield someday, not forgetting the attention New England paid to the Heisman winner leading up to the draft.

He connected the Mayfield talks to Massachusetts based off the dysfunction of the Haslam ownership.

"“I could see Mayfield after six, seven years in the NFL, forcing his way out (of Cleveland) and maybe the road finds its way to New England,” Florio said, “Now, I don’t know if Tom Brady has six years left, but it would be six more years at the most before Mayfield could walk away wherever he wants to.”"

Florio Continued:

"“I could see him having that NBA-type player mentality, even though it takes longer in the NFL. I could see him saying I am all in while I am here, but I am not signing a contract extension.”"

We just went through this with LeBron James. The minute he returned to Cleveland, national writers were already plotting his exit strategy.

We’re about to go through with it with Francisco Lindor.

In the one sport, where player movement can be controlled a little, can’t we just assume Baker stays a Brown forever?!

The Browns will be able to pay Mayfield an ungodly amount of money when it becomes time to talk extension, which you should start to hear rumblings about after the 2020 season.

With that said, nobody forgets Kirk Cousins, who happily made millions by way of the franchise tag before finally cashing in with the Vikings last season.

So, should we worry?

If the Browns are still emanating dysfunction at the time Mayfield’s set to be a free agent, then yes, the Factory of Sadness will got to DEFCON-5.

That’s not on Baker, though, that’s on ownership and the front office. Who would want to hang around workplace that doesn’t work.

But if all goes according to plan, we’re probably safe.

As you’ll see this season with the Browns on national television so much; Cleveland, of the NFL’s historic franchises, can be the epicenter of the football world.

And if Mayfield wins the Super Bowl for a franchise that’s never even been there before, then he gets elevated to legend status, a la LeBron James.

Right, James did leave after winning a title and going to four straight Finals.

While Florio could see Mayfield with an NBA player mentality, I’ll reserve judgement. Player movement just works differently in the NBA. Get two All-Stars to join an already established star in basketball, and you’re on your way.

There’s a 11 starters on offense, and 11 on defense in football. It’s a different ball game.

You’ve also got to factor in what the Patriots will look like in six or seven years. Will Bill Belichick continue to coach?

Let’s just hope Mayfield continues to progress and the rest will take care of itself.