Fed up Baker Mayfield reacts to Mary Kay Cabot Browns’ report
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield was fed up with a report from Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, and took to Twitter to call out the long time reporter’s Wednesday night tweet detailing a rift between he and Kevin Stefanski as “Clickbait.”
In the article (subscription required), Cabot used unnamed sources to describe the tension between the coach and quarterback as “a low-key vibe emanating from Mayfield and permeating the offense.” She also wrote:
"“Mayfield’s issues with Stefanski bubbled below the surface most of the season, with Mayfield feeling like Stefanski’s playcalling didn’t always put him in position to succeed or play to his strengths, sources told cleveland.com,” Cabot wrote."
Following the Monday Night Football debacle against the Steelers, it sure looked like something was up between Mayfield, and Stefanski.
The second-year head coach bizarrely tried to turn an injured Mayfield into a gun slinger against a team that struggles to stop the run. The decision resulted in nine sacks, 10 incompletions at one point, and will go down as the worst game Mayfield’s played as a pro.
Cabot’s tweet said the following:
"#Browns Baker Mayfield must resolve his difference with Kevin Stefanski soon, in case they need to co-exist next season; Also, some names that will be on the radar if they don’t.”"
Mayfield’s response:
"“Clickbait. You and many other Cleveland local media continue to be the drama stirring reporters with no sources or facts. Don’t put words in my mouth so you can put food on your table. I’m not your puppet.”"
In her story Cabot also goes on to list Derek Carr, Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and Deshaun Watson as potential trade targets if the Browns do indeed move on from Baker.
No shocker if Baker Mayfield returns to Browns in 2022
I’ve covered this topic before, listing potential replacements for Mayfield. If you believe for a second Wilson or Rodgers will be wearing an orange helmet next season, I’ve got lakefront property in Parma Heights to sell you.
Truthfully, I can see Mayfield returning in 2022, healthy, and ready to bet on himself. This isn’t to say the Browns won’t try to upgrade. They’re not the only team looking for quarterbacks, though.
If Mayfield balls out, then Cleveland can always use the franchise tag.
If he falls flat on his face, then it will be time to move on.
It was said that the front office was “spooked” to give Mayfield that big, $40 million person extension. It looks smart, now, as no on in their right mind would dole that kind of cash out to someone who was one of the worst staring quarterbacks, statistically, in the league.