Bucs Coach Zampese Says Browns Mucked Up Mayfield Trade

Tampa Bay Buccaneers senior offensive assistant Ken Zampese publicly criticized the Cleveland Browns' decision to trade quarterback Baker Mayfield, calling it a mistake. Zampese, who was Mayfield's position coach during his rookie season in Cleveland, said the Browns "mucked it up" when they moved on from the former No. 1 overall pick after the 2021 season. The comments come as Mayfield prepares to face the Browns for just the second time since the trade. The Buccaneers host Cleveland on Sunday, September 21, in their home opener. Mayfield was traded to the Carolina Panthers following the 2021 season after the Browns acquired Deshaun Watson in a blockbuster deal. He later joined the Buccaneers in 2023. Zampese highlighted the team's offensive turnaround during Mayfield's tenure. "The year we were there, we were one of the best offenses in the NFL the second half of that season," he said. "The script got flipped and the city came alive because they finally drafted a quarterback that worked out for them and they mucked it up." Mayfield acknowledged the personal significance of the matchup but emphasized his focus on fundamentals.