Baker Mayfield jokes that he and Saquon Barkley are going to fight

Baker Mayfield won’t be playing in the preseason for the Cleveland Browns. However, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told him there was one way to change that – Mayfield getting into a fight.

So, Mayfield is choosing Saquon Barkley as the man to pick one with. 

“Coach said if I start a fight at practice I have to play, so me and Saquon [Barkley] might swing today,” joked Mayfield in a recent press conference. 

Evidently, the former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback really wants to play in the preseason. While Barkley beat Mayfield out for the 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, the duo have remained close since their competition.

Baker and Saquon 😄 pic.twitter.com/JsDNqtDuX4

— New York Giants (@Giants) August 19, 2021

This week, Barkley’s Giants traveled to Cleveland for a series of joint practices in advance of their preseason matchup this Saturday. While the former Penn State running back and Mayfield may not have beef, things got heated between the two teams yesterday.

Tempers flare between the Giants and Browns 

As we draw closer to the start of the NFL season, players are ratcheting up their intensity. Moreover, said intensity was on display for both the Giants and the Browns on Friday.

Practice was chippy, so much so that the practice had to be paused so both head coaches could talk with their teams. Throughout a spirited session, players like Mayfield and Jabrill Peppers we’re going back and forth at each other. 

The chatter between Jabrill Peppers and Baker Mayfield isn’t as friendly today. Things getting heated as Peppers indicated Mayfield isn’t completing 80% of his passes today.

— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) August 20, 2021

The biggest moment of the day happened at the end of practice, between Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard and Browns defensive back Troy Hill. Tensions boiled over, and the two threw punches before being separated.

Giants WR Sterling Shepard and Browns CB Troy Hill confronted each other at a joint practice Friday. pic.twitter.com/aLc6RU2G4c

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 20, 2021

Following ducking the punch, Shepard offered an explanation as to why the altercation took place.

“Friendly competition,’’ Shepard said, per Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. “That’s what we came out here for. It’s competition, It’s gonna get into a talking match, it’s gonna get physical out there, this is football. This is what we do. They understand that on their side, we understand that over here.’’

While Mayfield may not be playing in the preseason, evidently Hill will be out there following this situation.

Dave Gettleman on the Odell Beckham Jr trade

As the Giants and Browns face off against each other on the field, it was inevitable that the trade that sent Odell Beckham Jr. to Cleveland would be brought up. The Giants sent one of Saquon Barkley’s best friends to Cleveland, where he would catch passes from Baker Mayfield.

When asked about it, Giants general manager Dave Gettleman offered no regrets.

“I’m happy,” Gettleman said, via the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “Ya know? We got Dexter. Ximines has had his injury issues, but when he’s been out there, he’s shown promise. Jabrill has done a hell of a job for us, so I like that group.”

While the Giants acquired three pieces for their defense, the jury is still out on their impact. On the other hand, Beckham Jr. hasn’t looked like the same receiver he was in New York, and now is working his way back from a devastating knee injury.

While Gettleman may be happy, it’s too early to declare anybody a winner for one of the most famous trades in recent NFL history.