Steelers will likely take a chance on Baker Mayfield if he's cut
The Browns landed Deshaun Watson in a massive trade with the Houston Texans
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Mitch Trubisky was signed to be the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but if Baker Mayfield becomes available, that could all change.
Mayfield, of course, is still a member of the Cleveland Browns. But that might not be the case for much longer after the Browns landed Deshaun Watson in a massive trade with the Houston Texans.
Problem is, the Browns can’t seem to find any takers for Mayfield. If their inability to trade him continues, they may have no choice but to outright release him. And if that happens, the Steelers would likely take a flyer, this despite Mayfield playing for their bitter rivals and knocking them out of the playoffs two years ago.
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Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns reacts from the sideline during the third quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 14, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
"The Steelers will pounce on Baker Mayfield if he becomes available," veteran Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot said on a Cleveland.com podcast. "Like if they cut him and he’s just out there as a street free agent, [the Steelers] would take him in a minute. And I’m sure a lot of people would. If you could get him for nothing, and the Browns have to eat that money, then certainly somebody would go grab him in that scenario."
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) warms up before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
In Pittsburgh, becoming the man to replace Ben Roethlisberger undoubtedly won’t be all rainbows and unicorns. Roethlisberger has been Steelers football for nearly 20 years. When you consider that Mayfield has been fairly inconsistent, not to mention a little immature, the Steelers might think twice about signing him, if the opportunity actually arises.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"The problem with Mayfield is that he’s in the middle of the pack as a quarterback." wrote Larry Brown of Larry Brown Sports. "He could be good, he could be bad, but he’s not in that Patrick Mahomes/Josh Allen category among young quarterbacks. So teams might prefer to tank rather than get Mayfield only to be a mediocre team. The other issue is that the Browns would want some trade compensation for Mayfield, but teams are apparently reluctant to send any draft capital for the quarterback."
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
BAKER MAYFIELD REQUESTS TRADE FROM BROWNS AS TEAM DROPS OUT OF DESHAUN WATSON SWEEPSTAKES: REPORT
Basically, despite landing Watson, the Browns still have a conundrum at QB. The team can’t seem to move on from Mayfield, but they almost certainly don’t want him going to Pittsburgh.
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At some point, Cleveland is likely to lower its asking price, and Mayfield indeed will be moved. If the Steelers want him, that’s likely all the incentive the Browns would need.