The owner of the Cleveland Browns is denying being the source of an infamous report regarding Baker Mayfield.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam spoke with the media over Zoom on Friday, the same day Deshaun Watson was introduced to the media at a press conference in Berea, Ohio.
Mayfield is still a member of the Browns despite requesting a trade from the team, though Cleveland may be trying to trade the quarterback. Haslam was asked whether the Browns have tried to patch things up with Mayfield. That’s when Haslam brought up the infamous report.
“Contrary to what is out there in the press, we think highly of Baker and did not get down on him. I know there is [an anonymous Browns] statement that we needed ‘an adult in the room,’ and Baker felt that came from ownership, but that is not true,” Haslam said.
The owner then supported Mayfield.
“Baker gave it everything he had while he was here. Nobody can question his effort this past year, and nobody can question the four years he gave to the city of Cleveland. We wish him nothing but the best of luck.”
The report to which Haslam referred came from ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. Mortensen said the Browns felt they needed “an adult in the room” at quarterback. The quote suggested that some with the Browns found Mayfield to be too childish and immature.
Haslam may deny being the source of the quote, but he did not deny whether he or the organization felt that way about Mayfield.
Photo: Aug 29, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is shown on the sideline during their game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
