Baker Mayfield was the number one overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners. Mayfield played for Cleveland for the first four seasons of his NFL career. After he played for the Browns, he has played for the Carolina Panthers, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates with defensive end Myles Garrett (95) after the Browns beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 48-37 in an NFL wild-card game Jan. 11, 2021, in Pittsburgh.
Mayfield has spent his last three seasons with Tampa Bay. The 2026 NFL season will potentially be his final season with the Buccaneers because he is an unrestricted free agent after the season. Mayfield is 31 years old. It is quite possible that Tampa Bay is not willing to give him a long-term deal. With this being the case, could he wind up back with the Browns in 2027?
Radio Analyst Believes That the Cleveland Browns Wouldn’t Sign QB Baker Mayfield in Free Agency Next Offseason
Jan 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Daryl Ruter of 92.3 the Fan in Cleveland, Ohio talked on air on radio on Monday morning about the chances Baker would wind up back in Cleveland in 2027 Ruter said,
“I don’t think the Browns would want him back. I think they’ve had enough of the Baker Mayfield experience that’s why he’s not here… You heard the comments does that sound like a new Baker?”
Mayfield last season with Tampa Bay completed 63.2% of his passes for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. It will be interesting to see what he does in 2026 for the Buccaneers with Mike Evans no longer on the team. If he were to leave Tampa Bay and then go back to Cleveland, it would be a major shock.
The Browns are most likely going to find a franchise quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft as well. Cleveland is not close to being a contending team yet and they are thinking about the future, and they are not in win-now mode.
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