Browns: 3 reasons trading Baker Mayfield was the right move

Half of the QB drama is now settled

Mayfield’s status was bound to loom over the Browns this season, causing unnecessary distractions and potentially splitting the locker room.

It’s going to be hard enough for Cleveland to navigate the uncertainty around Deshaun Watson without compounding things by leaving the Mayfield issue unresolved.

Now Mayfield is off the roster and that’s one less thing for the Browns to worry about.

It’s not the biggest weight off the team’s back, but it still counts.

The Browns got something back

A fifth-round draft pick isn’t much for a former No. 1 overall draft pick who has thrown 92 touchdowns over the last four years. It’s not nothing though.

The pick isn’t the real prize of this deal either. It’s the $8 million the Browns saved by shipping Mayfield off the Panthers.

According to reports, Cleveland is still responsible for $10.5 million of Mayfield’s salary this year, but he was owed more than $18 million. Carolina is covering $5 million while the quarterback is taking a pay cut.

The alternative was paying Watson $45 million and carrying Mayfield’s $18 million. Getting that $8 million back is better than nothing.