Browns to excuse Mayfield from minicamp

The Cleveland Browns are excusing quarterback Baker Mayfield from their mandatory minicamp next week, head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed, according to NFL Network's James Palmer.

Mayfield, 27, requested a trade from Cleveland amid the team's pursuit of Deshaun Watson. After initially being eliminated from Watson's final list, the Browns acquired the three-time Pro Bowl passer and signed him to a five-year, $230-million contract.

The decision for Mayfield to stay away from the club was mutually agreed upon by both sides, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports. The signal-caller won't be subject to fines due to his absence being excused by the team.

The 2018 first overall selection also missed the Browns' voluntary OTA sessions following his request to be dealt.

Attempts to move Mayfield have come up short as the passer enters the final year of his rookie contract. The Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks have been linked to Mayfield. However, Mayfield's $18.8-million salary in 2022 has proved to be a stumbling block, with the Browns unwilling to foot a large enough portion of the salary.

Additionally, Mayfield is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery that limited him throughout last season. He tallied career lows in passing yards (3,010) and passing touchdowns (17) in 2021.

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