NFL
Browns' QB Mayfield wishes OBJ well after the WR leaves
Though heavily criticized by the wide receiver's father, the quarterback appears to hold no animosity towards his former teammate.
While the manner in which the wide receiver left the Browns brought Mayfield's game into question, the QB holds no ill will.
Baker Mayfield wishes Odell Beckham Jr. the best.
Speaking after the Browns practically took apart the Cincinnati Bengals 41-16 in their most impressive performance to date, the quarterback again maintained an empathetic stance just days after OBJ essentially forced his way out of Cleveland. Mayfield made clear that his only focus going forward was his teammates. "I wish him well, I really do. My feelings haven't changed," Mayfield said.
The Browns announced two days ago that they would be releasing Beckham from the team. "From a personal standpoint, he's a good friend of mine. ...But I'm worried about the guys in our locker room. I'm proud of these guys, how they were able to focus up despite all the bulls--- that was going on this week and how they were able to do their job. We're going to see if we can build on it and continue to get better."
How did the Browns and OBJ get here?
The relationship between the two sides took a disastrous turn for the worst this week past when just hours before Tuesday's trade deadline, Beckham's father posted a video on social media showing times when Mayfield failed to pass the ball to his son. Beckham Sr. also went on to heavily criticize Mayfield in the comments section of the post. In the immediate wake of the controversy the Browns excused OBJ from Wednesday's training session while his exit was negotiated. On Friday - OBJ's birthday - the deal was agreed and made official.
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What is interesting to note is that it can be easily argued that the two never enjoyed a productive partnership going back at least a year. In fact it was only after OBJ was ruled out of the season through injury, in week 7 that Mayfield began to come alive. On Sunday gone Mayfield completed 14 of 21 passes throwing 218 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Indeed Mayfield maintained a perfect rating of 158.3 into the 3rd quarter just prior to the Browns taking a 31-10 lead.
And against the Cincinnati Bengals?
It was a night to forget for the Bengals as the The Browns out rightly manhandled them. The Bengals bore witness to a number of massive plays throughout the game including showpiece moments such as when cornerback Denzel Ward's 99-yard pick-six and of course Mayfield himself throwing 60-yard touchdown bomb to Donovan Peoples-Jones. With the performance Cleveland became the first team since 1967 to produce a passing touchdown, rushing touchdown and defensive touchdown of 60-plus yards in the same game.
"We needed that win. Our whole locker room needed it. And they knew that. Played for each other," Mayfield said. "I trust the guys in this locker room. When adversity hit, nobody flinched. It was a long week. I'd be lying if I said otherwise. But proud of these guys." Asked about his present relationship with OBJ, Mayfield was open. "We still haven't talked," Mayfield said of Beckham. "But that doesn't change things. I wish him well. I wish him the best in his career."
Beckham will go on waivers on Monday and if he is not claimed after that he will be permitted to sign with a new team of his choice.