Report: Baker Mayfield Didn't Reject Browns Contract With $30M AAV Before 2021 Season

Former Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Joe Thomas said on his podcast with Andrew Hawkins earlier this week that Baker Mayfield turned down a long-term contract extension with the franchise worth $30 million per year in 2021. 

Citing a league source, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com said that report is "100 percent false" and "totally erroneous."

Mayfield's entire situation with the Browns has since changed. 

Cleveland acquired Deshaun Watson in a trade with the Houston Texans earlier this month and he's slated to be the franchise's quarterback in 2022 and beyond after agreeing to a five-year, $230 million deal. 

Mayfield has since been included in various trade rumors, but his $18.9 million salary for the 2022 campaign is reportedly keeping teams from making offers for the veteran signal-caller, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. 

In addition, destinations for Mayfield are dwindling. The New Orleans Saints re-signed Jameis Winston; the Indianapolis Colts traded for Matt Ryan; the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Mitchell Trubisky; and the Atlanta Falcons signed Marcus Mariota. The Carolina Panthers reportedly aren't interested in the 2018 first overall pick, and the Seattle Seahawks might only be interested in adding him "at the right price."

Mayfield has been Cleveland's starting quarterback since 2018, and he led the franchise to the playoffs during the 2020 season, but he has been mostly inconsistent through his career.

Last season, the 26-year-old especially struggled because of an injury of his non-throwing shoulder. He completed only 60.5 percent of his passes for 3,010 yards and 17 touchdowns against 13 interceptions.

If Mayfield remains on Cleveland's roster, he could still start some games for the franchise. Watson, who has been cleared of criminal charges, is still facing 22 civil lawsuits that allege sexual assault and misconduct. 

The NFL is conducting an investigation, and the Clemson product could be suspended for a number of games in 2022 for violating the league's personal conduct policy, which would open the door for Mayfield to start.