NFL - Random Opinions

What leverage does he have though? The ownership isn't sold on the front office or coaching staff, I certainly don't think he will sign off on a QB demanding leverage with decision making privileges. The added year's to Kingsbury was probably to avoid this issue with Murray, but since it didn't work, I don't see him giving Murray that kind of power. He isn't Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes, at least not yet.

Hell, they still have a 5th year option to exercise. If he refuses to play out his rookie deal, he would be the property of the Cardinals indefinitely. They could start to look for a replacement and if they find one, trade away the rights to Murray with two financial controlled years and a franchise option to boot.

 

Right now, little, which is likely why he is pursuing this now on the heels of Kingsbury getting his deal.

He may have more this off-season than he would have next if he ends up banged up or the Cardinals struggle down the stretch again.

Which was the point of my post - IMO, Kyler is looking to get that deal now so he can have some influence on ownership/management and the future decisions regarding Kingsbury.

 

It could be that as I am obviously speculating on his/his agents motives, but there seems to be a connection with Kliff’s wants/movements and Murray’s.

 

The conversations I have keep coming back to the draft, quarterbacks, and Baker Mayfield...

Right now, I believe Baker has likely driven a stake through his predraft viability with his podcast comments. It doesn't matter what the full context may be, the soundbites are out there for the media to run a narrative with and GMs that are in the market will take notice. There was already little motivation for the Seahawks, Saints and Panthers to make a move on Mayfield. Now, I believe there is none remaining until possibly after the draft.

The best case scenario for Baker would be that two of those teams are dialed in on only one name at passer and would be disinterested in the other arms that would be available. That would make him the alternative to the draft not falling the way one of the desperate teams are hoping.

With that in mind, here's how I think things may go on draft day and how it will affect Mayfield:

• First QB taken - Malik Willis to Carolina
• Second QB taken - Kenny Pickett to New Orleans (trade up)
• Third QB taken - Matt Corral to Seattle
• Fourth QB taken - Desmond Ridder to Detroit (pick 32)
• You can possibly throw in Howell and Strong as the second and third round play out

And if that scenario plays out, then Baker continues to be on the outside looking in. It guarantees that the Browns will be forced to dump him for next to nothing while eating a large chunk of his salary so that Mayfield can become a back-up.

Here's where it gets tricky... Where would that opportunity lie?

It would need to be somewhere with an established passer with a big enough personality to outshine any media spotlight that would hit on Baker, which is guaranteed to follow him wherever he lands. Some would say that makes Tampa obvious, but I disagree. The Bucs are singularly focused on taking home another Lombardi while they still have Brady slinging the ball. The next team would be the Packers, but I don't think management there would want to roll from the drama of Aaron into the drama of Baker. The Chiefs? Possibly, but it feels like an odd fit, considering the type of back-up passers that Reid has put behind Mahomes and the mentor he had for Patrick when he arrived. Josh Allen and Matt Stafford would likely be the remaining passers that would fill the type of chair I'm suggesting, but I don't see the upside of bringing in Baker to be their primary back-up.

There has also been a lot of hype around the Steelers signing Baker if he becomes available and I just don't see it. I think Colbert had a similar grade on Rudolph as he did on Trubisky going into their respective drafts. He has stated publicly that he believed Mason was in the mix of top passers in his class and they moved up in the third to make sure that the Bengals didn't select him, even though they weren't looking to add a passer in that draft. If someone like Willis fell to them in this class they may pull the trigger on him, but I think Pittsburgh is more likely going to roll through the next 4 to 5 years with either Mason or Mitch as the bridge into whatever passer they finally tab as 'the next franchise' during that window. If Trubisky or Rudolph grow into the role, it's a win. If they don't, the Steelers will continue building out the roster while looking to find a passer that fits into what they want at the position, and I don't believe Mayfield would fit into any of their future plans.

So this could create a situation where Mayfield ends up with no suitors unless injury occurs, or an impulsive owner/GM steps in to take a cheap swing.

I think the Raiders and the Redskins have to be considered possibilities at this point.

 

100% agree, Tim and thanks for not mentioning Minnesota as a possible landing spot, although that hasnt been talked about, they need to look to the future.

I am of the belief that Mayfield completely blew his own foot off. From what ive read, even the Carolina rumor was squashed as Anderson raised his voice and said; nooo!

Still to this date, not one single NFL player or FO personal has come to his aid and that says a lot. I also believe, if Baker was a viable commodity, some one would have made an offer by now.

Mayfield is toast, period... mostly because of his mouth mixed with his attitude and I find him being a Collin Kaepernick type who will only be watching football from the sidelines... just a hunch.

He will be dumped or nearly given away and if I where Cleveland I would do it ASAP.
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By the way... the Mayfield to Pittsburgh shit is funny as hell. That one never made sense to me and still doesnt under any circumstance.

 

Mayfield would never lead a team to a super bowl so the Steelers definitely wouldn’t be interested

 

Mayfield is not a SB QB whatever team he plays for IMO

 

I hate to agree with Colin Cowherd, but he nailed it when he said, "Baker has got himself in a hole, and he just keeps digging."

The rambling 90 minute pod cast, with his "yes-man" buddy asking the Q's, was ridiculous. He did himself no favors with that at all. I still can't believe he said that he wishes he could go into random offices a boo employees at their cubicle's. Good lord. What a petty thing to say, and it points directly to his nature. Yeah, he laughed it off and said that he was wrong for saying that, but he still said it. Also it wasn't a good idea for him to imply that some of his teammates were not motivated by winning. I'm sure that went over really well in lockerrooms across the league.

Bottom line: In spite of running his mouth too much, Mayfield is still a starting level QB in this league, and he would be an improvement for many teams. So suggesting he holds no value is nonsense. The question is; How patient will Cleveland be? On the hook for $18M either way, I still don't see any reason to waive him or pay someone to take him, as many have suggested.

We'll see how this plays out. A lot can change very quickly in this league.

 

Now, I'm no expert on this guy. But judging from what I've read what you guys say, he needs a coach with a reputation for not taking any shit from anyone. Sit him down and tell him to shut up, on the field, on the sideline, in the locker room and off the field. If you can't do that? You don't play. If you want to be the next Kaepernick, just keep talking and that can be arraigned.

 

My 'Random Opinion' on a couple QB's...

NFL.com has a story up that raises the question; Would you rather have Mayfield or Jimmy G running your football team?

For me it was easy... Jimmy G. I think he's proven more and is just plumb better at winning a 'big' game. I like his resume and I still cant believe he hasnt been traded yet. Many RB's have blown-out knees and get gigs in the NFL after healing up, but Jimmy seems to be getting the cold shoulder when it comes to his injury which makes me wonder if that is just an excuse, because there is more to the story?

Just thought id throw this out there... its a slow day for a change around here and raining cats n dogs n all kinds of critters here.

 

Baker is a bum. Jimmy G is a proven winner

 

The ravens are one injury to Bateman away from having the worst WR room in NFL history

 

Jimmy G injury to THROWING SHOULDER is probably what is lowering his value, which 49ers feel is still at a fairly high level.
Baker Mayfield, a lot more is coming out on his locker room issues. If this is true, he may end up riding the inactive list. I think the Browns would rather pay $1M(which is all they would save by cutting him and him signing the league minimum somewhere else) and a roster spot than take the chance he goes somewhere else in 2022 and have a chance to beat the Browns at some point during the season.

If he were cut, the most likely place he would end up imho is New Orleans, Atlanta or Carolina. Saints may be without Winston (though reports are he will be ready for training camp), the other two have rookie QBs and not much else. A one year QB at $1M, I think one of them would jump at the chance... and the Browns play all three teams in 2022. They once paid $20M to trade for a QB, so that they could get a 2nd round draft pick. Something tells me, they will eat $1M and a roster spot rather than take a chance Mayfield plays against them in 2022. Although, if they are THAT down on him, maybe they should cut him with the thought process they would be lucky to play against him.

I don't know, they sure don't seem that anxious to part ways with him. They have to know they would have to eat some of his contract.

Regardless, I wish they would make the move soon. I am sick of everyone talking about it (including myself).

 

lol... Its the off-season and everybody wants/needs a story.

 

Exactly why I keep talking about it... I took a hiatus before the draft, which was a great distraction. Now that it's over, Baker is back at the forefront. Nothing to do until training camp for the most part.

 

Going with 22 personnel. The value in this draft after round 2 was in the TEs. Not a great TE class, but there are specialty TEs and they got two of them. One that blocks pretty well and one that can catch contested balls, but hardly ever blocks. Kolar won't be asked to do much blocking despite his size. Both are productive players though. My guess is Likely will be used between the 20s and Kolar will be used in the red zone especially. Neither will take away from Mark Andrews, but they will give Roman freedom to use Andrews however he likes. Whoever has Andrews in fantasy football will be liking his production. As if he needed more help for that...

 

Well, can't get them right all the time...

The quarterback class shifted into low gear for 2022 and, if the Steelers didn't take Pickett at #20, it makes you wonder just how long it would have taken for that first passer to get scooped up.

So, how did this affect Baker's market?

Carolina taking a passer impacts the current negotiations. There is less reason for the Panthers to pony up the extra dough to bring in a passer that they are not 100% convinced will upgrade their situation. Matt Rhule may want it to try and save his job (likely does, and may need it), but if Carolina is already considering the future beyond Rhule's rule, there's no reason to acquiesce to his request if they are not bought in at the same level.

There has never been a market from the Lions for Mayfield (reported) so even though they didn't take an arm, I don't see it impacting Mayfield's market. Quick side bar - If the Steelers move on from Mason Rudolph, Detroit is my preferred landing spot for him. Not sure there would be any kind of market there for him, and even less sure that Pittsburgh has any interest in trading him (the reports of wanting a 5th came from speculation, not sourcing) but having him drop in behind Goff and become the bridge to free them from Jared's contract in 2023 is a sound move. Goff can be marked as a post June 1 cut/trade and the numbers flip to make it the favorable move for Detroit.

That keeps Seattle as still a talking point for analysts in the trade discussion, but they appear to have very little motivation to make the move for Baker. They appear set to roll into 2022 with Geno starting, Lock as the fallback option and the 2023 draft class as the ultimate goal.

Where does this leave Baker?

The outside looking in might be an apt description, but I think the camera lens should be refocused at this point to bring the Browns onto the screen. If there is no market for Mayfield, and Baker is not wanted/unwilling to be in the building, then the stalemate between player and team is only going to continue to suppress his trade viability.

Now we're back to potential back-up landing spots, where the Browns are eating the majority, if not all, of his 2022 salary. This is probably the only way to revive any kind of market for Mayfield. Make the announcement that you are going to eat all but $3mil of his salary, start making calls and see what is the best return package of picks for Mayfield.

Why let Carolina (and possibly Seattle) dictate whether or not a market even exists for Mayfield?

Flip this on its ear by making it public you are going to digest nearly all of his salary and get pro-active in shopping him out. It avoids making it look like the front office is petty in it's handling of a disgruntled player, it potentially puts a spark back into trade discussions and it gives a bit more positive news out of Berea, something that would probably be welcomed by the Haslam's...

Maybe you can get the Giants, Vikings, Texans and some teams interested in a one year flash for a back-up to throw in against the Panthers to help get a decent return for Mayfield.

It's time for Cleveland to get aggressive in moving Baker, because the scale has shifted far enough in the wrong direction to bring his outright release too close toreality.

 

This, in my opinion, is the best case scenario and possibly as it stands right now, the only viable option the Browns have. I cant see, even with my vivid imagination, anything else taking place or I think it would have happened by now. Baker Mayfield has Cleveland by the balls and the rest of the NFL QB needy teams do to.

 

IMHO, it's quite the opposite.

1. There is zero financial gain to simply release him. In fact, there are 18.6M reasons not to just release him.
2. Baker needs to play in 2022 in order to audition for a new team. The only way that happens, sans trade, is if he decides to stop being a petulant punk, show up for work and bring his lunch pail. Showing up for work can only improve the narrative surrounding him.
3. If he decides not to report, then the Browns can, at least, fine him and recoup some of his salary.

 

But how long do you let this ride? Something/someone has to give.

He seems to me the type who wont back-track and ever take a snap in Cleveland again... too stubborn, which is just a hunch on my part.

Thats probably the next step. Its a messy situation and it seems all sides involved are pretty stubborn or have already made up their minds... im just curious how long this thing continues.

So many questions in Cleveland... very unprecedented and unique situations.