Cleveland Browns camp Day 1: Now-departed Baker Mayfield out of sight, out of mind

BEREA – Baker Mayfield may have been throwing his first passes of training camp for his new team, but he remained a topic of conversation as his old team got underway.

Well, sort of.

Mayfield was traded to Carolina in early July in exchange for a conditional 2024 fifth-round pick. The Panthers were the likely destination for months as Browns general manager Andrew Berry worked the phones to find a taker for the former No. 1 overall pick in 2018.

"Andrew and Carolina worked really hard on that over the course of weeks," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday. "Like I mentioned to you guys, that was a unique situation. I wish him well; I think he’s in a really good spot. I’m not going to speak for [Panthers coach Matt] Rhule and who plays for them. We'll have time to talk about those type of things."

Wednesday's comments at the start of training camp were the first ones Stefanski has made publicly since Mayfield was dealt. At the time of the deal, the only comments from Browns personnel came from Berry and owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam.

The trade has only amplified the attention on the two teams' opener in Charlotte on Sept. 11. Mayfield is competing with fellow 2018 top-three pick Sam Darnold to be the Panthers' starting quarterback.

That amplification, though, hasn't filtered into the locker room, at least not in their public comments.

"Nah, not yet, honestly," cornerback Greg Newsome II said. "We know he's obviously there. Everyone knows, but we've just kind of got to focus on ourselves right now. We've got to get through these practices. We've got to get through preseason and then we can focus on Week 1 when he gets here.”

Myles Garrett opening the season by sacking his former teammate and fellow No. 1 overall pick was a favored topic along social media platforms once the deal went down. It was something that certainly filtered back to him.

The All-Pro defensive end, though, wasn't taking the bait.

"Some of my friends were, but that’s good for them," Garrett said. "They can make their jokes, they can have fun with it. ... Just being able to work against them, work against [tackle Jedrick Wills] and just trying to improve on my technique and my fundamentals and drive those points home with some of the younger guys, that’s all I’m really focused about. Week 1, and all that, that’s yet to come. We’ve still got preseason games and other things we’ve got to worry about."

Jack Conklin making a second 'home' in facility

Jack Conklin continues his recovery from a ruptured patellar tendon. That recovery wasn't to the point at which the Browns didn't feel the need to make a procedural move with him.

Conklin and Denzel Ward, who was injured late in June minicamp, both were placed on the active/physically unable to perform list Tuesday. Both were present for Wednesday's practice, and are eligible to return once they pass physicals.

That was no indication, however, of where Conklin's recovery stands. Nor was it an indication of how much work he's put into that recovery.

"He lived here all spring, all summer," Stefanski said. "I think he may have had a cot set up somewhere in the building and he has been working so hard. I notice it. His teammates notice it. He's progressing."

Stefanski didn't seem concerned that Conklin's on-field absence would extend deep into the preseason. He was unable, though, to put a timetable on when he would return to the field.

"I don't have the exact date when he's back out there at practice," Stefanski said. "We'll make sure we work with the medical staff on that one. He's worked really, really hard.”

David Bell, Anthony Walker Jr. injuries no major concern

Conklin and Ward going on the PUP list at the start of camp were expected moves. Two other potential starters developing injuries, however, proved stunning.

Rookie receiver David Bell was placed on the active/PUP list when rookies and quarterbacks reported last Friday. Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (groin) was placed on the non-football injury list along with defensive tackle Sheldon Day (back) on Tuesday.

Bell's injury stemmed from earlier in the summer, according to Stefanski.

“Late in the offseason program," Stefanski said. "I don't know the exact [date]. It may have been in that minicamp, had something nagging, took a look at it, but ultimately we'll be OK."

Stefanski did not express any concern about any of the players on the PUP or NFI list missing the regular-season opener.

Nick Chubb's amazing feats of strength

Running back Nick Chubb's strength has been a subject of awe from many people ever since he arrived in the NFL. He added to the myth recently when a video got out of him squatting 610 pounds on a Tsunami max bar while in his hometown if Cedartown, Ga.

The only one not entirely impressed: Chubb, the same person who wasn't concerned about the potential of the bar breaking under the weight it was carrying.

"Not really," Chubb said. "That bar was made for that so I trust it. Yeah, it was pretty good work."

Was it a max for him? Not even close. Earlier in the offseason, he was captured on video squatting 675 pounds.

For Chubb, it's through squatting that he has gained the power in his legs. Those legs have made him one of the most vicious runners in the league.

"I think legs is a big part of running backs, of the whole game of football. I think legs is important," Chubb said. "For me to just feel strong, I think that carries a lot mentally and physically for me. So I like to get my numbers right and I head back here to go to camp. That's kind of what I do every year."

His teammates, meanwhile, don't even try to hang with Chubb when it comes to that area. Even a teammate with the natural strength like Garrett.

"I wish I had knees like that," Garrett said.

No Cavaliers contract yet for Myles Garrett

Garrett made his own social-media noise earlier this month when he warmed up in full uniform with the Cavaliers' Summer League team before a game in Las Vegas. A massive – literally – basketball player and fan, he was asked if he had contemplated jumping teams in the city.

"Not quite yet," Garrett said. "If we win a ’ship, then I might actually."

Rain sends Browns inside for initial workout

The Browns' initial full-squad workout was forced inside the field house due to storms that came into the area around the same time the players were due on the field in the afternoon. They spent roughly 45 minutes or so during the portion open to the media working in separate offensive and defensive groups. The conditioning portion of the workout was closed.

Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.

On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Baker Mayfield out of sight, out of mind on day one of Browns camp