Baker Mayfield Reveals Colts Were Initially His ‘Most Likely’ Destination – Home

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Getty Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield hints that the Indianapolis Colts were his “most likely” destination to start the offseason.

The Indianapolis Colts went without a starting quarterback on the depth list for a couple of weeks in March. During that time, rumors connected the Colts with just about every sign available on the market.

Eventually, the Colts successfully traded for Matt Ryan, putting an end to the quarterback rumors in Indianapolis.

That move seems to have surprised Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield a bit. During an interview on the “You Never Know” podcast, Mayfield hinted that he thought he would be the new signal caller with the Colts.

“[If] this would have been about a week and a half ago, I would have said Indianapolis,” Mayfield said when asked where he would land this offseason. “Seattle, I mean, would probably be the most likely option. But, even then, I have no idea.

“I’m ready for the next chapter, the next opportunity.”

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Baker Mayfield Named Indianapolis Preferred Business Destination

In one of the biggest moves of the offseason, the Browns traded six draft picks, including three first-round picks, for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Less than an hour after the trade became official, The Athletic’s Jeff Howe reported that Mayfield told the Browns that he wanted to be traded to Indianapolis.

Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times also reported on Mayfield’s desire to play for the Colts.

Obviously, the feeling was not mutual. Veteran signal-caller Matt Ryan also chose the Colts as his preferred destination, and Indianapolis chose to trade him instead of Mayfield.

Mayfield is significantly younger than Ryan, but Ryan is a possible future Hall of Fame quarterback, while Mayfield is still trying to prove he was worth selecting first overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Ryan has thrown for at least 3,950 passing yards in 11 straight seasons. Mayfield has yet to reach that mark in his four-year NFL career.

In 2021, Mayfield threw for 3,010 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 14 games. Mayfield took a step back in all the major passing categories of the 2020 campaign when he led the Browns to an 11-5 record and a playoff win on the road.

Ryan threw for 3,968 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season. He hasn’t stopped throwing for 20 touchdowns in a season since his rookie year in 2008.

Mayfield turned 27 on April 14, while Ryan turns 37 in May.

Could Baker Mayfield still join the Colts?

Clearly, Mayfield indicated on the “You Never Know” podcast that he doesn’t have a clear idea of ​​where he might land before this season. But one thing is certain: wherever it goes, it could only be for the 2022 season.

Mayfield has one year left on his rookie deal. Theoretically, he could be a free agent again next offseason.

Ryan has two years left on his contract. With the rotation the Colts have experienced at quarterback in recent years, Indianapolis is certainly planning to make Ryan their starter for more than just this season.

But if that doesn’t go as planned, Mayfield could still land with the Colts.

For now, though, he’ll have to settle for another NFL home.

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