MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

We probably won't know the answer to this for a long time, and we may never know the whole truth if the trade works out well for the Browns.

It would have to be a failure for the different parties to start pointing fingers at each other.

Just my opinion, but I believe that Berry wanted to upgrade at passer, Stefanski was not happy with Baker running his offense and Haslam looked at signing Watson as not only the best of all options but as sort of a crown jewel signing for Cleveland.

Basically, all 3 were ready to make a move for different motivations, with some being the same and others being personal as it relates to their own success.

 

They obviously formed a plan together. I wonder if they consulted their wives and daughters before carrying it out.

 

This is one that I have come back to several times since before Baker was actually drafted to the Browns. Depending on where you are with Mayfield (personal fandom/objective observer) there is an argument for either side of the coin.

However, I think there should be some thought given to the idea that perhaps the story of why he left Texas Tech, his behavior in Oklahoma and what he has done since becoming a professional has a narrative that is much different than what is sold most of the time.

If you look at it from a mirrored point of - Baker left Texas Tech because he lost the starting job (the lack of scholarship was his story), his off field/on field antics in Oklahoma are more of a reflection on his personal demeanor rather than his competitive edge, and the perceived 'chip' that has been used to excuse his behavior towards the media, coaching staff and some teammates in Cleveland is actually just him being a self interested asshole - then there is more than enough meat on the bone to believe that Cleveland was in the right for wanting to move on from the irritation.

I'm not saying that this is a definite, or that I'm even sold on all of that being correct, but if you open up to the possibility of that being somewhat true it does change the view of reasoning for the Browns to want a divorce.

 

I don't think it's obvious at all at this point.

Berry or Stefanski could have been dead set against it, but Jimmy writes the checks.

Or, Berry might have had to sell it to both Haslam and Stefanski.

Or, Stefanski might have went to both pleading for this move as the one that would put them in a Super bowl.

Or,... you get the idea.

 

Everyone seems to forget (especially Mayfield) that BOTH Berry and Stefanski re-iterated in virtually every presser since they came on board, that they would look at every possibility to improve the roster no matter the position. I find it very difficult to believe that Baker Mayfield was thee only player that this front office didn't let know of their plan before they proceeded. Beckham, Landry, Tretter and virtually every other player that was released or traded all stated they were told (by the Browns) of the plan.

IMHO, it sounds like all three (Haslam, Berry and Stefanski) were in lock step on this decision.

 

Which could be accurate, but there may be details around the acquisition of Watson, specifically, that we likely won't know unless it turns South.

 

This is another one that we will likely know for sure, as the only people that may have actually had this portion of the discussion (if it even happened) may have been Haslam and Watson.

Now this one, whew...

This is a very loaded question.

I'm gonna stew on it for some time, probably several days or more, before I put my opinion on it.

I had to include it though because it really is a question that needs discussed.

 

I'm not sure that it does, but it certainly doesn't hurt their chances.

I want to see what they do with the rest of the offseason before I start discussing the Browns still being in the picture with 3 weeks to go before the Super bowl.

 

Completely agree. Behind the scenes, the relationship between Bake and the Browns has been deteriorating for a couple years.

 

I think this has to be a definitive yes, but I'm not sold that Haslam would refrain from blowing it all up if Watson and the Browns struggle and miss the playoffs for 3 years in a row.

That would be the worst case scenario for Cleveland. They have all of that money and draft capital for the next 3 years wrapped up in a passer that doesn't lift the team deep into the playoffs, or they miss the playoffs altogether, while Berry can't refill the cupboard.

Right now, I think the Browns are likely married to Watson, Berry and Stefanski for many, many years to come.

 

Obviously. I'm guessing that obtaining information from the NFL regarding the status of the investigation on Watson may have been above Berry's or Stefanski's pay grade. Perhaps not so much for Haslam. Berry and Stefanski mutually evaluated Watson's talent, with Berry adding the salary cap ramifications and Haslam inputting anything he got out of the NFL offices regarding Watson's status.

 

This one can only be answered by Cleveland fans, which I think a lot will probably side with @IrishDawg42 's first post responding to this.

This likely remains a split (similar to the Baker/Non-Baker crowd) that will hinge on Watson taking positive steps with the civil cases, in the Cleveland community and a never stop approach to rehabbing his image.

 

I think the only reason Baker may not have been openly on the market to start the off-season was that the Browns were viewing him as a trade chip first, meaning they wanted to target a passer for a trade and include Mayfield as part of the return offer. Otherwise, putting Mayfield out there immediately would have put a few teams in play to start the offseason.

Moving forward, can the Browns simply view Mayfield as a potential backup until something pops up that's favorable? The way it stands right now - Why not? They owe Baker nothing so acquiescing to his trade request is a non-starter, IMO.

Trading him for the best possible return is the only consideration that matters. If that includes hanging onto him until a situation arises later in the offseason that makes him more valuable to another team, the so be it.

With all that in mind, Matt Rhule's career as the head coach of the Panthers is rotting on the vine, so that would be my immediate target for a trade. After that, Seattle would be the next on the list.

Indy would be somewhere way down the list...

 

It isn’t only about ROI when it comes to moving Baker. They have made a resounding statement that they are all in for 2022. There are pieces available now that could help with that goal. They may need Baker’s $18.56M to sign another piece of that puzzle.

The fact they don’t owe him anything, doesn’t serve their main purpose, to improve this roster as much as possible.

Moving him sooner than later allows for them to find those pieces now before the market continues to dry up.

 

I agree. I think this will get done soon and Baker will likely be headed to Indy.

 

I find it intriguing what the Browns paid to get Watson and move on from Mayfield. Watson has his well known baggage also. Browns higher-ups gave up a ton and a half to go with a QB with sexual misconduct allegations looming... this says a lot too me as to where the NFL higher-ups place their priorities and to the disruptive/destructive/detrimental behavior Baker must have had or developed for a team to give so much cash and contract to replace him.

Its also intriguing to me that not one player or personal/team-mate has stood by Baker or supported him... thats a major red-flag in my opinion. Also leads me to believe it was a all-in decision by the brass to all-out Baker as this drama unfolded. You'd think at least 1 team-mate would have used some media outlet to express an opinion on Baker (in a positive light), but i have no awareness of that happening.

Last years season was soo much of a let down and a shock to all interested in Cleveland that the decision to make a big change was just that much easier. Im not saying Mayfield is the 'scapegoat', but that it became all the easier to blast him because of the attitude and the lack of the almighty 'W's". If Mayfield won more and went deeper in the playoffs, you can bet your ass, he'd still be the general for the Browns regardless of the luggage he drags with him.

 

Possibly, but there is also the consideration that needs to be made on where the market stands now compared to where the market will stand in August through week 8.

If Carolina, Seattle and Indy decide they are willing to forego a move towards Mayfield unless they can convince the Browns to deal him for a late third (compensatory) or lower, would Cleveland be best served dealing him now or waiting until the market may rebound later?

To be clear - I'm not saying the market will in fact bounce back at a later date, but rushing to move Baker at what may be a severely reduced price would be poor execution on the backend of the Watson deal, IMO.

Any trade partner for Baker right now is going to hedge some because they know the situation is untenable, unless the Browns simply carry on with business by not discussing it in the media or responding to anything else that Baker may say. By going about it in the manner of responding to any new Mayfield statements with "he's still under contract", then moving to the next question keeps the situation somewhat ambiguous and it doesn't have to move the needle one way or the other.

All they need to do is let the process move organically in a direction that is beneficial. If that means pulling the trigger now, then do it.

If that means exercising patience, there is no harm in taking that route, IMO.

 

I disagree with this statement for a couple reasons:

• There could be a suspension in play for 2022
• Roster building doesn't stop after the first round
• The length of the commitment/guaranteed money suggest Cleveland is all in on Watson for the remainder of his career (second contract is going to be other worldly)
• IMO, the roster still needs improvement before it can be considered one of the top 4 in the AFC (Chiefs and Bills are clearly 1 and 2 with arguments to be made thereafter on 3 and 4)

These are all considerations that I'm positive Berry would have reflected on before going in on Watson (if he had more than a limited say).

 

This is spot on, Will.

Even if the possibility exists that Baker bought his own plane ticket out of Cleveland with his personality, had the Browns rolled in the AFC North last season there would be no movement away from Mayfield as the starter.

 

Browns trading Case Keenum to Bills, signing Jacoby Brissett



A day after agreeing to trade for Deshaun Watson, the Browns are also changing out their backup quarterback.

Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, the Browns are trading Case Keenum to the Bills for a 2022 seventh-round pick.


And according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Cleveland is signing Jacoby Brissett to a one-year deal.

Keenum spent the last two seasons with the Browns backing up Baker Mayfield. He’ll now go to the Bills to back up Josh Allen, replacing Mitchell Trubisky in that role. Keenum was 2-0 as a starter in 2021. In seven appearances, he completed 65.3 percent of his passes for 462 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.

Brissett appeared in 11 games with five starts for Miami last season, compiling a 2-3 record. He completed 63 percent of his passes for 1,283 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions.

The Dolphins recently signed Teddy Bridgewater to be Tua Tagovaiola’s backup in 2022.

With Brissett in tow, the Browns will have an experienced QB if and when Watson is suspended for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

As of Saturday afternoon, Baker Mayfield also remains on Cleveland’s roster. But he’s likely to be traded sooner than later.

PFT