Deshaun Watson trade: Breaking down every angle of the blockbuster

Deshaun Watson trade: Baker Mayfield’s Angle

Baker Mayfield was not a part of the Watson trade, meaning Cleveland will look for a viable destination for the QB entering his fifth NFL season. There’s no question Mayfield is a polarizing figure, and it isn’t without merit.

Good Baker has been tremendous. The 2017 Heisman Trophy Winner had a phenomenal rookie campaign, tossing a then-NFL record 27 TD passes, against 14 INTs, with 3,725 passing yards, a career-high 63.8% completion rate, and 93.7 passer rating. Year three was also good for Baker, as he posted 26 TD passes against eight INTs, as well as 3,563 yards and career-bests with a 95.9 passer rating and 65.5 QBR.

Mayfield and the Browns were able to make the postseason for the first time since 2002 and won their first playoff game since 1994.

But the bad Baker has reared his head as well, including a 21-INT season in 2019, as well as a disappointing 2021 season where the Browns went 8-9 and he threw for 17 TDs and 13 INTs.

It must be noted that his ’21 season was injury-riddled, but that does not take away from the fact that he has not shown as much promise as Watson throughout his career.

So where could he end up? Mayfield suggested Indianapolis as his preferred next destination, but who knows if Cleveland would be willing to do that. I think there’s really only one other place that makes sense for Mayfield if he does not get sent to the Colts; Seattle.

Obviously, the Seahawks are looking to reboot a bit in the post-Russell Wilson era. They may have gotten Drew Lock in the Russ trade, but let’s not act like bringing Mayfield in wouldn’t be an upgrade over him. And after sending Wilson to Denver, Seattle has the draft picks to play with, as they enter next month’s draft with eight pending selections.

Thinking about Seattle as well, Mayfield would not be seeing too far of a drop-off in talent on offense. No, the Seahawks offensive line is not in the same class as the Browns, but whoever is under center for them next season will have Pro Bowlers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, as well the ultra-talented Noah Fant at TE.

Rashaad Penny could also return after rushing for over 130 yards in four of his last five games played down the stretch in 2021.

I could see the ‘Hawks sending one of their second-round picks and a fifth-rounder in a package for Mayfield. Plus, I could see Mayfield fitting well into Shane Waldron’s system as a disciple of the Sean McVay/Kyle Shanahan tree (a system Stefanski similarly runs in Cleveland).

Okay now that that’s behind us, let’s look at the legal side of it all for Watson and the Browns.