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Steve Smith blasts Baker Mayfield: ‘He's been holding this team back'

The Browns’ front office is on a mission to trade Mayfield to potential suitors in need of a long-term option at QB

By Alejandro Avila OutKick
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Last season’s Baker Mayfield and his emotional plea to the Browns on Wednesday had one thing in common: neither played well.

After Mayfield professed his commitment to Cleveland amid their strong interest in landing Houston’s Deshaun Watson, several people around the league took issue with Baker’s extracurricular journaling when his production on the field has been less than captivating.

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) warms up before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in Pittsburgh. Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Tuesday, Jan. 11 the team expects Mayfield to return as its starter next season and rebound after an injury-filled 2021 that raised questions about his future with Cleveland.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) warms up before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in Pittsburgh. Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Tuesday, Jan. 11 the team expects Mayfield to return as its starter next season and rebound after an injury-filled 2021 that raised questions about his future with Cleveland. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

NFL Network’s silver-tongued pundit, Steve Smith, went off on Mayfield: calling out the QB for his newfound vulnerability.

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"I find it interesting that Baker now is emotional. He wears his emotions on his sleeve. I do too. I was an emotional player," Smith said.

The former Panthers and Ravens wideout then delved into the difference between being an emphatic player on the field versus an emotional performer on his way out of town.

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 14: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns reacts from the sideline during the third quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 14, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 14: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns reacts from the sideline during the third quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 14, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

"The difference between Baker and I is I won a triple crown," the retired receiver acknowledged.

"I led the league in something besides crying. Then also at the end of the day, OBJ left to win a championship. You keep bringing in all these players that are supposed to help and what do they do when they go there? Their careers and their numbers decline."

Whether it was out of desperation or not, Mayfield’s plea appeared to work after Cleveland announced on Thursday that they were out of the running to trade for Watson.

Mayfield followed that news up by announcing his intention to get traded out of Cleveland.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) and cornerback A.J. Green (38) head to the bench after a series against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) and cornerback A.J. Green (38) head to the bench after a series against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

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The Browns’ front office is on a mission to trade Mayfield to potential suitors in need of a long-term option at QB, including the Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, and others.

Smith also chimed in on Mayfield’s true value at the position.

"[Mayfield’s] not a stock that I would short, he’s not a stock I would place any puts on … at the end of the day, call me Captain Petty. Get him outta there and let the Browns go ahead and eat because he’s been holding this team back."