With Deshaun Watson officially in the fold, the Cleveland Browns now have to find a trade partner for Baker Mayfield.
But Browns officials aren’t in a rush to offload Mayfield, the first overall pick of the 2018 NFL draft. Instead, they are committed to working through the situation and finding the scenario that benefits their organization the most, even if that takes some time, two people with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The individuals spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak on behalf of the Browns.
Mayfield had asked for a trade last Thursday, two days after Cleveland officials met with Watson and one day before the Browns swung the deal for the three-time Pro Bowl selection, who forced his way out of Houston and is facing 22 civil suits from women who accuse him of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions. 
Mayfield’s request for a trade came shortly after Watson initially told the Browns he wasn’t interested in playing for them. Shortly after Mayfield’s request, Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry informed the quarterback’s camp that the Browns would not trade him. But when Watson reversed course on Friday and accepted the Browns’ offer, which included giving him a new, fully guaranteed $230 million contract while sending the Texans three first-round picks and a fourth-rounder, Mayfield was deemed expendable. 
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Mayfield has expressed interest in playing for the Indianapolis Colts, who recently traded starter Carson Wentz to Washington.
Many people within the league do expect the Colts to pursue Mayfield, but they also believe that the Seattle Seahawks, who just traded long-time starter Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos, also will rank among the leading potential suitors for Mayfield’s services.
At this point, Mayfield’s options appear to be limited, with the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers remaining as the only other teams with unresolved starting quarterback situations.
Mayfield is in the last year of his contract and is coming off a shoulder injury and an inconsistent fourth season, which saw him go 6-8 as a starter while throwing 17 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. His production represented a regression from 2020, when Mayfield threw 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions while leading the Browns to their first playoff appearance since 2002 and first postseason victory since 1994.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Mike Jones on Twitter @ByMikeJones.

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