Baker Mayfield isn't the guy. Not long term at least. I mean, he's better than what the Cleveland Browns have had in the past --- not really a high bar to reach --- but he isn't going to be the quarterback who leads the franchise to any great riches.
Nope.
Too fragile although he's tough as can be. Guy just gets hurt too much.
He's also someone I surely don't count on in the most important situations to make the most important throws. I mean, is he for you? Be honest about all that. With the game on the line are you thinking Mayfield is going to string a bunch of throws together or he's going to make that God-awful one in a key situation that either falls incomplete or gets picked off?
I know I count on the latter.
The Browns came into this season with a dilemma of sorts at quarterback and now nearing the end of October they have played six games, Baker is hurt and the picture isn't any clearer as he has next season remaining on his contract --- in fact it could even be foggier than it was to start the season.
It wasn't long ago people were seemingly counting just how much Mayfield would make in his next Cleveland contract but now, with a torn labrum and the Browns just sputtering on offense and toiling at 3-3 it is safe to wonder if the guy will even be on the squad beyond the 2022 fifth-year option season.
I know this isn't a popular move in today's NFL, but I'd let Mayfield play on that fifth-year option next season (he's already signed for the almost $19 million) and then I'd let him walk.
No one will ever take away what Mayfield did last season. He stormed into Heinz Field and clobbered the Pittsburgh Steelers in a playoff game. He took his team on an 11-5 ride and it seemed as if the Browns were the darlings of the NFL in some ways.
Football felt different in Cleveland.
Even people in Pittsburgh might have felt a tiny bit good for the Browns. Maayyyyyyyyyyyybe.
There was hope and expectation tethered to that right arm of Mayfield.
I don't know how you feel, but it feels like much of it is gone right now. The playoff win the Browns had in Pittsburgh and then that near-miss they had against the Chiefs feels like it happened a million years ago.
And it feels like that was the apex of Baker Mayfield's NFL career for me. He isn't washed; he's just a guy who doesn't have all the throws, holds onto the football far too long in crucial situations and, oh yeah, gets busted up and now has a bit of a track record of injuries.
All that is no good if you are a Browns fan.
You know what the Browns should do, right? Ride it out one more season and then Kevin Stefanski and Co. should bring in someone else --- either through free agency or swing a trade where they move-up in the Draft.
I know you probably don't want to hear this if you pull for the Browns but guess what: The best thing for your franchise is to churn through that quarterback wheel another time and try to find someone else. Baker ain't it, man.
