Mayfield waits as Browns look to trade unwanted QB

CLEVELAND (AP) — Baker Mayfield was once the No. 1 overall draft pick. He's not anyone's choice at the moment.

He's a quarterback without a team.

Cleveland's starter the past four seasons, Mayfield lost his job last week when the Browns pulled off a trade that shook the NFL by acquiring Deshaun Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler in Houston accused of sexual assault by 22 women.

With Watson due to arrive any day to take over as Cleveland's franchise QB, Mayfield, who requested a trade last week after feeling betrayed by the Browns, is leaving.

When and where he's going is still to be determined.

The quarterback market has dried up this week, with several trades and free agent signings eliminating possible landing spots for Mayfield, who is looking to resurrect his career after a dreadful 2021 season.

It's an astonishing fall for Mayfield, the top pick in 2018 who led the Browns to the playoffs in 2020 and seemed to have finally solved the franchise's two-decade-long search for a franchise quarterback.

He was the face of Cleveland, toast of the town. The Progressive insurance commercials with him and his wife, Emily, living inside FirstEnergy Stadium were a hit.

Even just a week ago, Mayfield still seemed in position to play a fifth season in Cleveland before Watson was persuaded to waive his no-trade clause when the Browns gave him a record $230 million fully guaranteed contract.

Mayfield went from under center to out the door — in an instant.

After the Watson trade was announced, Mayfield needed a new football home, and Indianapolis appeared to be a possibility for Mayfield. But the Colts weren't interested and traded for Atlanta veteran Matt Ryan. The Falcons then signed free agent Marcus Mariota, closing the door on