Bye bye Baker

Just when you thought it wouldn't happen, it happened. When speculation began to wane, everything came together for the Browns in their slow-motion divorce with Baker Mayfield.

It was far from amicable, although both sides appeared to breathe huge sighs of relief after Mayfield's trade to the Carolina Panthers for a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2024 National Football League draft was announced late Wednesday morning.

That pick could improve to a fourth-rounder depending on how much Mayfield plays this season, including what is instantly a drama-filled season opener against the Browns in Carolina on Sept. 11. 

Considering Mayfield's competition with the Panthers are incumbent Sam Darnold, backup P. J. Walker and rookie draft pick Matt Corral, the Browns will get that fourth-rounder. Mayfield, reportedly fully recovered from the severe shoulder problems that seriously hampered him last season, is automatically the Panthers' best quarterback.

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule begins his third season sitting squarely on a hot seat with a 10-23 NFL record. The offensive-minded coach needs someone strong to take charge of the offensive huddle. He discovered last season Darnold was not that someone.

To that end, Panthers General Manager Scott Fitterer strengthened the offensive line, a decided weakness, by drafting tackle Ikem Okwonu and signing a couple of veterans in center Bradley Bozeman and ex-Browns guard Austin Corbett in free agency. 

In order to make the deal happen, the Browns agreed to pay $10.5 million of Mayfield's $18.8 million contract with the Panthers shelling out $4.85 million and Mayfield agreeing to convert the remaining $3.5 toward incentives. The Browns also save around $8 million in salary cap space.

It was a situation both sides wanted done before training camp later this month. Speculation ever since the Browns successfully courted Deshaun Watson earlier this year suggested Seattle, Atlanta and Carolina were good fits for Mayfield and became fodder for rumor mongers.

With Watson's legal problems commanding most of the attention and the possibility of a suspension looming, a few rumors ridiculously hinted the Browns would hold on to Mayfield as insurance instead of moving up backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett in that event. No way was Mayfield coming back to Cleveland. 

Wednesday's news culminated one of the messiest chapters in the club's storied history, the relationship with the quarterback who led the club to its first playoff appearance in two decades splintering to pieces after news broke that Watson was being targeted.

That it took so long to arrive at this juncture was the only surprise. The Browns backed themselves into a corner, balking at paying all the money owed Mayfield. It is obvious they realized it would take a lot more than they were originally willing to spend to make it happen. Capitulation was the only solution.

The club in a statement said all the right things."We want to thank Baker for all his contributions to the Cleveland Browns. . . . With his fierce competitive spirit, he excited the fan base and accomplished things no player at his position had done for a very long time." Yada, yada, yada.

With the Mayfield divorce now final, all that remains is how hard the NFL comes down on Watson. Both sides in the matter have been heard. All that remains is the decision of retired federal judge Sue L. Robinson, who has completed her investigation into whether Watson violated the league's determining personal conduct policy and will soon rule with a suitable punishment.

It is my understanding either side can appeal the decision to Commissioner Roger Goodell, who will be the final arbiter in the matter, which conjures up all sorts of possibilities if it gets that far. One of them is a full-season suspension with Watson having to apply for reinstatement after a year. The NFL Players Association has indicated it will appeal if Watson is suspended.

After that, it's finally on to football, where conversations will involve blocking and tackling, throwing and catching the football, and strategy and tactical approaches on both sides of the ball. 

About damn time.