Baker Mayfield reveals real feelings on playing Browns: Going to ‘f–k them up’
Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield is apparently fired up to play his former team in Week 1.
During Monday’s episode of the “Around the NFL” podcast, NFL Network’s Cynthia Frelund said Mayfield told her that he’s going to “f–k up” the Browns team that traded him to Carolina last month.
“On the field, after the game against the Bills preseason Game 3 and I walked over to him and told him, ‘I’m so excited to see you… go kick some butt, especially Week 1, I cannot wait,’ and he uses some expletives and I was like I just hope you’re just ready and he was like, ‘I’m gonna bleep them up,'” Frelund said about her exchange with Mayfield.
Frelund then confirmed that Mayfield said, “I’m gonna f–k them up,” about facing the Browns in Week 1. Mayfield was recently named the Panthers’ starter following a quarterback battle with former Jets signal-caller Sam Darnold.
“I don’t say curse words on air. I don’t want to get in trouble,” Frelund said, laughing. “Yes [that was the quote he said].”
Mayfield, 27, landed in Carolina four months after he initially requested a trade out of Cleveland in March. At the time, the Browns made a surprise play for his replacement in then-Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson — who signed a five-year, $230 million contract with Cleveland, fully guaranteed.
Watson will serve an 11-game suspension this coming season and pay a $5 million fine for violating the NFL’s code of conduct policy following allegations of sexual assault.
In April, Mayfield said he felt “disrespected” by the Browns’ pursuit and eventual acquisition of Watson.
“One hundred percent,” Mayfield said at the time while appearing on the “YNK” podcast. “I was told one thing and they completely did another.”
Mayfield, though, has been pretty bland in his comments about the matchup since the trade occurred.
Earlier this month, Mayfield’s wife, Emily, said there’s “no ill will” on their end when asked about Mayfield’s tumultuous exit out of Cleveland.
“End of the day, it’s a business! Baker and I are so thankful for our 4 years there!” she wrote on Instagram.