Browns Excuse Baker Mayfield From Mandatory Minicamp

The Cleveland Browns and Baker Mayfield have mutually agreed that the disgruntled quarterback will be excused from the team’s mandatory minicamp next week.

“Obviously that was a decision made between our organization, Baker and Baker’s team,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday. “We felt like that was the best decision for both sides.”

Mayfield requested a trade shortly after the franchise acquired quarterback Deshaun Watson and promptly handed him a $230 million contract

Mayfield has not been in attendance at any of portion of Cleveland’s offseason program, and has been rehabbing from shoulder surgery in his native Austin, Texas.

Cleveland has been unsuccessful to this point in finding a trade partner for Mayfield. The former No. 1-overall pick is due nearly $19 million this coming season, which has likely been the most significant obstacle blocking a deal.

Mayfield piloted the Browns to their first playoff win in 18 years in 2020, but had an inconsistent showing during an injury-plagued 2021 campaign.

Mayfield exemption from mandatory minicamp comes the same week as Watson’s 24th lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct during massage sessions.

While he has not been indicted by a pair of Texas grand juries, Watson is still being investigated by the NFL to determine if he violated the league’s code of conduct.