Baker Mayfield still in limbo with Cleveland Browns: How did he get here, and what's next?

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BEREA, Ohio -- The NFL draft came and went, and quarterback Baker Mayfield is still a member of the Cleveland Browns.

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The Browns couldn't swing a trade with the Carolina Panthers, and according to multiple sources, never got close. As talks intensified during Friday's second round

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Carolina wanted Cleveland to pay a huge portion of Mayfield's assured $19 m pay upcoming season. When the Browns balked, Carolina moved up into the 3rd round to draft Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral.

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killing those trade talks, according to sources. As it stands, Corral -- not Mayfield -- will compete with Sam Darnold for Carolina's starting job, and Mayfield remains in limbo with the franchise that took him No. 1 overall four years ago.

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In 2018, Mayfield arrived in Cleveland, a city that has been searching for a franchise quarterback since the Bernie Kosar era of the 1980s, with enormous fanfare.

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But after quarterbacking the Browns to their first playoff victory in 26 years in 2020, his standing with the front office and locker room declined.

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Struggles on the field, a messy split with receiver Odell Beckham Jr. that divided the team, quarterback Deshaun Watson's willingness to waive his no-trade clause to join Cleveland

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and a perceived slight from the Browns' front office all contributed to effectively end Mayfield's time in Cleveland, pushing both sides to seek a fresh start.

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In March, the Browns traded for Watson, even though he faced, and continues to face, 22 civil lawsuits from women alleging sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions

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Two grand juries in Texas declined to indict Watson on criminal charges, but the NFL is also conducting its own investigation, which could result in a suspension.

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