ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum did not hold back when asked about Baker Mayfield.
In an ESPN Cleveland segment on Friday, Finebaum asserted that the Browns should not bring back Mayfield after a disappointing 2021 campaign and made a less-than-desirable comparison between the 26-year-old and another former Cleveland quarterback.
“I got into it with him in college,” Finebaum said of Mayfield. “He came after me on Twitter. And I thought he was a punk then and nothing has changed. He is a poor man’s Johnny Manziel.
“I think Cleveland ought to get rid of him. I don’t know if it’s possible, but I think the Browns are wasting their time with this guy.”
Mayfield has another year left on his rookie contract, but there is a chance that the Browns will try to trade him in the offseason.
The QB went off on journalist Mary Kay Cabot this week when she reported growing tensions between the QB and head coach Kevin Stefanski over how the franchise was utilizing Mayfield. Cabot wrote that if Mayfield “doesn’t get assurances that things will change next season,” he will “consider asking to be traded.”
Mayfield referred to the article as “clickbait” and accused Cleveland media to be “drama stirring reports with no sources or facts.”
The 26-year-old has been the target of criticism this season and has not played up to expectations. Mayfield fought through a left shoulder injury this season and admitted injuries are beginning to take a toll.
“I’m an extremely competitive guy,” Mayfield told reporters Monday. “Now it’s time for me to start looking at what’s in the best interest of me and my health.
