Browns Rumors: Baker Mayfield Still QB Moving Forward After Deshaun Watson Pursuit

The Cleveland Browns reportedly view Baker Mayfield as their starting quarterback ahead of the 2022 NFL season after failing to land the Houston Texans' Deshaun Watson in a trade.

Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported Thursday the Browns were informed they are "out of the running" for Watson after they'd previously informed Mayfield's representatives a change would only be made if they landed an upper-echelon replacement.

The update comes after Mayfield posted a statement Tuesday night on Twitter that sounded like a goodbye message to Cleveland:

Jeff Howe of The Athletic reported the 2018 first overall pick hadn't requested a trade when he made that post, but the outlook remains unsettled: "Still no guarantee he returns, but the door has been left open."

Mayfield's four years as the Browns' starter are difficult to sum up.

There were moments when it appeared he was trending toward becoming a franchise quarterback. That was especially true during the 2020 season, when he recorded 26 touchdowns and just eight interceptions while ranking 10th in ESPN's Total QBR.

That success didn't carry over to 2021, though. He finished last season with 17 scores and 13 picks, dropping to 27th in Total QBR.

His play in Cleveland has been generally average, so it's hard to blame the front office for looking into upgrades at the sport's most important position.

Yet with Watson seemingly out of reach, the question is whether the Browns have done irreparable damage to their relationship with Mayfield, who's entering the final year of his contract.

Mayfield said he's "prepared for anything" and didn't rule out staying with Cleveland during recent conversations with teammates, per Garafolo.

Settling the situation quickly is crucial for the Browns front office, which still has other moves to make this offseason as they stare down a star-studded group of AFC counterparts.

For now, they're trending toward having Mayfield under center for Week 1 in September.