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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Baker Mayfield did not deny he desires to beat the Cleveland Browns within the Carolina Panthers‘ Sept. 11 opener at Financial institution of America Stadium, however he did deny saying he desires to “f— them up” after final week’s preseason finale in opposition to Buffalo.
That contradicted what Payments sideline reporter Cynthia Frelund shared on Monday night time’s “Across the NFL” podcast with Dan Hanzus, Marc Sessler and Gregg Rosenthal.
Frelund shared on the podcast and repeated to ESPN.com that when she talked to Mayfield after the Panthers’ 21-0 victory that Mayfield repeated her phrases when she playfully advised him to “F them up.”
“He echoed it again,” Frelund advised ESPN.com. “It was very innocuous on his half. The tone was gracious and comfortable and excited.”
Mayfield denied making any such remark concerning the staff that made him the highest decide of the 2018 draft after Wednesday’s observe.
“First, I did not say it,” mentioned Mayfield, who spent the final 4 years in Cleveland. “All people goes to put in writing no matter story they need. There’s historical past as a result of I performed there the final 4 years. I am a particularly aggressive individual. All people is aware of that. If I wasn’t desirous to win, then there could be a extremely massive concern of me being the quarterback right here.
“I wish to win in all the pieces I do. That’ll by no means change. But it surely’s not how I phrased it. It isn’t even what I mentioned, so let’s depart it at that.”
Mayfield acknowledged he has recognized Frelund, who additionally works as an analyst for the NFL Community, for years. He acknowledged Frelund was “descriptive” in what she mentioned about him beating Cleveland.
However he was adamant that is not how the trade occurred.
“I did not even say something,” Mayfield mentioned. “All I did was, ‘Nice, hope we win.’ Fairly plain and easy. I am aggressive. I wish to win. I do not suppose that must be harped on.
“That is the extent of it. It is clearly an even bigger story as a result of I have not given the media what they’ve needed me to offer them this 12 months on this offseason.”
Mayfield has chosen his phrases fastidiously the previous month and a half for the reason that Panthers acquired him in a commerce from Cleveland after the Browns moved ahead with Deshaun Watson, acquired in a commerce with Houston.
Requested final week after being named the starter over Sam Darnold how he felt dealing with his former staff within the opener, Mayfield mentioned, “Clearly, there’s loads of attachment there. I am not going to sit down right here and be a robotic and say it doesn’t suggest something. It’ll.”
However Mayfield refused to place an excessive amount of significance on one recreation out of 17.
“It is an excellent storyline,” he mentioned Wednesday. “It truly is as a result of I wasn’t anticipated to be out of Cleveland. However after Week 1, there’s 16 extra that actually, actually matter. That is how I am approaching it.”
Frelund downplayed the trade Tuesday on Twitter, saying it was “playful” and that the response to Mayfield’s quote was “foolish.”
Oh boy, that is foolish. Do not make this greater than it’s. I used to be wishing him good luck, colorfully. He agreed with me, colorfully. What do you count on anybody to do on this state of affairs… #browns
— cynthia frelund (@cfrelund) August 30, 2022
Frelund advised ESPN.com she “should not have shared a personal dialog.” She reiterated Mayfield solely was echoing her phrases when she advised him to “Eff them up.”
Frelund mentioned she reached out to apologize to Mayfield after the response on social media reached a stage she described as a “s— storm.” She mentioned his supervisor responded.
“They might have most popular I did not say it,” Frelund mentioned. “They’ve labored very onerous to be very aware of this. I imagine it was very clear my intentions and the precise contents of what was mentioned was made clear and that it was taken out of context.”
Earlier than Mayfield’s denial, his remark already had reached the Cleveland locker room. Browns defensive finish Myles Garrett advised Cleveland.com, “We’ll take it and we’ll use it.”
“I do not suppose any much less of him, as a result of he is going on the market and doing the identical factor he did when he was with us,” Garrett mentioned. “He is the identical man personally, and perhaps we’ll see a distinct Baker once we get on the sphere. Who is aware of?”
The Browns are conscious of Mayfield’s generally outlandish feedback and antics, equivalent to grabbing his crotch and yelling “f— you” on the Kansas Jayhawks in school as a result of he was upset about being snubbed by a participant in the course of the coin toss and for later taking a late hit to the top in the course of the recreation.
Mayfield additionally took a shot at former NFL coach and ESPN analyst Rex Ryan on social media after Ryan mentioned Mayfield was “overrated as hell.”
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen in March reported one motive Cleveland was prepared to maneuver on from Mayfield and commerce for Watson was it needed an “grownup” on the place.
“We have recognized he has that sort of demeanor and that perspective, and for higher or for worse, it really works for him,” Garrett mentioned. “And I am not mad at him utilizing that fireplace and that chip on his shoulder to assist him play to the extent he has. He is been profitable in what he is accomplished.”
Stated Mayfield of Garrett’s remark: “That is an individual I performed with for 4 years, so he is aware of how I am wired, how I compete each single day. That is to be anticipated.”
Mayfield mentioned he had no thought his trade with Frelund had taken on a lifetime of its personal till any individual advised him, explaining that he’s presently off social media.
“So it being dropped at my consideration was stunning to me,” he mentioned. “It is irritating within the sense that is not the best way it occurred. However on the identical time you have simply bought to maneuver ahead. Individuals are going to say what they need.”
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