As the Browns were in Houston courting Deshaun Watson, Baker Mayfield posted a long goodbye to Cleveland on his Instagram account.
As Browns’ pursuit of Deshaun Watson comes to a head, Baker Mayfield says goodbye
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
The Browns’ high-powered contingent of decision-makers returned Tuesday night from a personal sales pitch to Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, and now await the decision that will alter their franchise’s future.
If Watson liked what he heard in an hours-long meeting that ended about 8 p.m. EDT, he will waive his no-trade clause and the Texans will ship their disgraced quarterback to Cleveland in a mega-deal similar to the one the Denver Broncos made for Russell Wilson just a week ago.
The Browns must wait for Watson to host a sales pitch on Wednesday from his home-town Atlanta Falcons. They’re the last team seeking Watson’s approval.The Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints made sales pitches on Monday.
All four teams were granted personal audiences with Watson after submitting trade proposals to the Texans and receiving invitations from Watson’s agent.
Since Watson became disgruntled with Texans’ management a year ago and demanded a trade, the Texans’ asking price in trade reportedly has been three No. 1 draft picks, additional picks and young, ascending players still under their rookie contracts.
Houston sources have insisted the Texans are not interested in Baker Mayfield as part of the trade. So if the Browns are successful in enticing Watson’s favor, they would trade Mayfield. That appears inevitable to happen even if Watson spurns the Browns.
Cognizant of the increasing speculation about his future, Mayfield ended his two-month social media silence with a post on his Instagram account that sounded like a passionate goodbye to Cleveland. He never mentioned the Browns in the post.
In part, Mayfield wrote, “I have given this franchise everything I have. That is something I’ve always done at every stage, and at every level. And that will not change wherever I take my next snap. Whatever happens … I just want to say thank you to the fans who truly embraced who I am and the mentality that aligned so well with this city’s hard-working people. Cleveland will always be a part of Emily and my story. And we will always be thankful for the impact it has had and will have in our in our lives.”
He signed it, “Sincerely, Baker Reagan Mayfield.”
It is believed the Browns would accommodate Mayfield’s preferred destination, if possible. Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network reported that Mayfield would choose to be moved to the Indianapolis Colts, who are searching for their sixth starting quarterback in six years after trading Carson Wentz to Washington.
Pauline also reported that owner Jimmy Haslam was the driving force behind the Browns’ uber-aggressive pursuit of Watson.
It is believed that Haslam accompanied his top football men – GM Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski – on the recruiting trip to Houston.
The Browns met with Watson in Houston after he spent approximately four hours answering questions under oath from the lawyer representing 22 women massage therapists accusing him of sexual misconduct. A Harris County (TX) grand jury chose not to indict Watson on Friday as a result of nine criminal complaints against him. The civil lawsuits will continue but should not hinder a trade.
Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, has stated there was consensual sex involving Watson and some of the massage therapists, but he has denied any wrongdoing on Watson's part.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Hardin said “there’s no discussion” of settling the civil cases.
Godspeed, Mr. President
On Friday, JC Tretter was elected unanimously to his second two-year term as president of the NFL Players Association.
On Tuesday, he lost his full-time job as starting center for the Browns.
As expected, the Browns released Tretter, one of their most dependable players and respected leaders, to gain $8.2 million in salary cap room. In the last year of a three-year contract he signed in 2020, Tretter was scheduled to earn a $7.9 million salary and carried a $9.86 million cap charge.
In five seasons as the glue to the Browns’ highly-ranked offensive line, Tretter, 31, played every offensive snap in every game except one. His lone missed game came on Christmas Day in Green Bay against the team that drafted him in the fourth round from Cornell University in 2013.
Tretter, who was adamantly vigilant in negotiating COVID protocols as union president, and equally so in following and enforcing them as a player, had volunteered to take a COVID test the week of the game. He tested positive and was denied his first visit to Lambeau Field as a visiting player.
Ironically, Tretter’s rare absence paved the way for his heir, Nick Harris, to prove he was ready to take over the job.
Pressed into his first NFL starting assignment as a center, Harris aced the test, convincing the coaches and Berry that the baton should be passed. Harris was selected in the fifth round in 2020 to eventually replace Harris. Now the time has come.
In a letter to Cleveland, Tretter thanked behind-the-scenes staff with the Browns who made the job for fun for him and took care of him as a person, not just as a football player.
He said he’ll miss his teammates and specifically called out guard Joel Bitonio – the longest-tenured Brown – as “the heart and soul of the Cleveland Browns.”
In his farewell announcement, Berry said, “For the past five seasons, JC has been a mainstay and iron man at center for us. He came to our organization at a time of instability and was one of the key veterans that helped turn the tide over the past several years. His leadership—both within the locker room and the field—will be missed. We wish JC well as he continues his career.”
More moves
In a one-for-one swap, the Browns traded linebacker Mack Wilson to New England for linebacker Chase Winovich. The trade won’t be confirmed by the clubs until Wednesday at 4 p.m. when the 2022 league year begins.
This was a swap of skill sets. The Patriots desired Wilson’s pass coverage ability. The Browns wanted Winovich’s pass rush ability off the edge.
Winovich, 6-2 ¾ and 256 pounds, was drafted 77th overall in 2019 out of Michigan. He had 5.5 sacks in each of his first two seasons and seemingly disappeared in his third season in 2021, credited with only 11 tackles and no sacks in 13 games.
Wilson was the 155th overall draft selection in 2019. The Alabama product started 14 games as a rookie, but suffered a loss of time when Berry replaced GM John Dorsey. In the last two years, Berry drafted three linebackers and signed two others in free agency.
In another move on Tuesday, free agent safety M.J. Stewart signed with the Texans. Stewart was seen as a potential fixture in the Browns’ three-safety alignment, but he was not offered a contract.
