Baker Mayfield Trade Offers Won't be Discussed by Browns GM Andrew Berry

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry remained mum regarding any trade negotiations centered around Baker Mayfield.

Berry declined to comment Friday when asked whether the Browns have gotten any offers for the 2018 No. 1 overall pick. He pivoted to say he has been focusing more on the 2022 NFL draft.

Berry also remained diplomatic when addressing Mayfield's comments that he felt "disrespected" by the team following the Deshaun Watson trade.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on March 25 there wasn't a robust trade market for Mayfield because interested suitors weren't enamored with assuming his $18.9 million salary for 2022. 

Meanwhile, the Browns have been in no hurry to deal the veteran quarterback. Since releasing him would mean having to absorb his entire cap hit, there's obviously an incentive in waiting as long as possible for the best trade offer to emerge.

Luckily for Mayfield, he may not be stuck in limbo for much longer. ESPN's Matt Miller reported Friday the 27-year-old "could be a post-draft trade for a team that doesn't land a starter in the first round."

The Browns wouldn't have acquired Watson if they had full faith in Mayfield, and that wasn't an unreasonable position to take following the 2021 season. Mayfield threw for 3,010 yards, 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, and his on-field regression wasn't solely because of a lingering shoulder injury.

But that isn't to say the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner is no longer a starting-caliber quarterback in the NFL.

The Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers all jump out as teams for whom he'd arguably be an upgrade under center. All three could plausibly target a quarterback in the draft, too.

Should they come up short, Mayfield would be a good contingency plan.