Baker Mayfield Trade Rumors: Execs Feel There's 'No Chance' QB Ever Plays for Browns

An "overwhelming majority" of NFL executives reportedly believe quarterback Baker Mayfield has played his last down for the Cleveland Browns.

There have been questions about whether Mayfield could return to the starting role if Deshaun Watson, who is the subject of 24 civil lawsuits from women accusing him of sexual assault or misconduct during massage sessions, is suspended by the league. However, ESPN's Dan Graziano reported Friday it's unlikely a reconciliation is on the horizon.

"He's done with them, and they're done with him," a source told Graziano. "That was true once he found out they were trying to trade for Deshaun."

While the NFL execs expressed their belief there's "no chance" Mayfield plays for the Browns again, questions remain about how the situation will play out.

Cleveland painted itself into a corner by rebuilding its quarterback room before finding the 2018 No. 1 overall pick a new home.

Along with the trade for Watson, who the team proceeded to give a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract despite the allegations against him, the front office also signed Jacoby Brissett and Joshua Dobbs to handle the backup roles.

It left the Browns with no leverage in trade talks and, with a limited number of potential suitors still seeking a quarterback this offseason, they'll likely have to eat a significant portion of his $18.9 million base salary for 2022 in order to make a deal.

The Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks are the two teams that could still use more competition for the No. 1 spot on their QB depth chart.

Seattle was chosen as the most likely destination for Mayfield in a straw poll conducted by Graziano, but Hawks head coach Pete Carroll previously downplayed the idea of a trade.

"So we're looking. I don't see us making a trade for anybody at all. I don't see that happening," Carroll said in May. "But we're certainly going to continue to be open to chances to help our club, and meanwhile we're just going to be battling and competing our tails off."

Geno Smith, Drew Lock and Jacob Eason are slated for the Seahawks' quarterback competition. Mayfield would immediately take over as the favorite in that race.

For now, the 27-year-old Texas native remains a member of the Browns and was excused from mandatory minicamp by the franchise while the situation continues to play out.

While prevailing wisdom is correct to suggest Mayfield is unlikely to play for Cleveland this season, it's impossible to rule it out completely given the high number of variables involved.