There are weeks in the offseason when NFL analysts scrape and claw for something to discuss on their podcasts.
Everyone is biding their time, anxiously waiting for the combine, free agency, and the draft to get underway.
But FoxSports’s Colin Cowherd hasn’t slowed down when it comes to his favorite Cleveland Browns target.
He was in midseason form when he brought up the subject of Baker Mayfield’s future with the team.
"If I could get Carson Wentz, I would go get him. If I could get Jimmy G, I would go get him."
— @ColinCowherd on reports of Baker Mayfield's uncertain future in Cleveland: pic.twitter.com/cRBYtvosEQ
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) February 17, 2022
And he couldn’t resist broaching a couple of recent comments from long-time Browns beat writer, Mary Kay Cabot.
Specifically, Odell Beckham proved his Browns performance wasn’t his fault by doing better in Los Angeles.
And the Browns are seriously looking at veteran quarterbacks as possible replacements for Baker Mayfield.
And he went a step further in suggesting a pair of good possibilities to his audience.
Why Colin Wants Wentz, Garoppolo
Cowherd discussed a pair of expensive, veteran options the Browns would probably consider.
Carson Wentz and Jimmy Garoppolo are both hot names on the trade rumor circuit.
Neither comes cheap, with cap hits in the $27- to 28 million range.
But even though Mayfield was injured last year, Cowherd points to a trend to justify the higher cost.
The Odell Beckham Jr comeback story is making Baker Mayfield look even worse than he already does. #SuperBowl
— Rick Kamla (@RickKamlaSports) February 13, 2022
Cowherd echoed Cabot’s point that Odell Beckham thrived in LA and New York but just couldn’t connect with Mayfield.
He also pointed to Jarvis Landry‘s diminished production compared to his Miami Dolphin years.
And he noted Austin Hooper was a touchdown magnet with Matt Ryan before he disappeared with Mayfield.
Cowherd called it a “disturbing trend” that justifies looking for quarterback alternatives.
The Case For Wentz, Garoppolo
San Francisco is expected to shop Jimmy Garoppolo with an eye on about $24 million in additional cap space.
They have Trey Lance ready to take over, which is more than the Colts have if they move Wentz.
Indianapolis has an owner irate at how much he pays a quarterback who lost to the Jaguars and blew a playoff berth.
Garoppolo tied up about $27 million in cap space compared to just over $28 million for Wentz.
https://twitter.com/Browns_Bot/status/1492939410496794632
Cowherd noted how Wentz managed 27 touchdowns and just 7 interceptions with a no-name receiving corps.
Fans shouldn’t expect big numbers from Jimmy G, but they’ll feel more confident in the 4th quarter of close contests.
The former 49er knows how to win games and the former Eagle/Colt has some big moments under his belt, too.
If Andrew Berry agrees his team is built better than they look with Mayfield at the helm, why not make a change?
Realistic Scenario or Offseason Ranting?
Baker Mayfield led the Browns to the playoffs in 2020 and fought through injuries last season.
One would think he earned a shot at proving he is worth a franchise quarterback-type extension.
Unless… there are residual issues from the Beckham-Mayfield matter, in which case, Mayfield has to go.
Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski can’t afford to let divisions simmer, even if they think Mayfield is their best option.
The whole narrative of "Jimmy Garoppolo carried the his team to 2 NFC Championship games" is a false one. The 49ers have won in spite of Jimmy G., not because of him. #Browns pic.twitter.com/xyDnaUjHl7
— Roberto Shenanigans (@Rob_Shenanigans) January 24, 2022
Carson Wentz and Jimmy Garoppolo leave the Browns in the same situation they are in now.
That is, with a quarterback on a one-season trial to show he can be a long-term answer in Cleveland.
Wentz can be cut in 2023 without impacting the salary cap, and Garoppolo is a free agent after 2022.
That means it would cost Cleveland just $7-or 8 million to try out a new starting quarterback.
NEXT: Browns Nation News And Notes (2/18/22)
Pat do you think the Browns would consider trading for Matt Ryan. I think it’s worth a look. With the browns Offensive line and weapons I think Ryan would have a MVP type year. Carson Wentz is someone I would have drafted if I were the Browns GM years ago. He liked him coming out of college and saw him a good fit in the AFC north. Cleveland should make a move on him before Pittsburgh does.
Carson would be an upgrade over Mayfield and Jimmy probably would to. I want a real dual threat Qb because with chubb n hunt an accurate dual threat QB would be amazing!!!
Carson would be an upgrade over Mayfield and Jimmy probably would to. I want a real dual threat Qb because with chubb n hunt and an accurate dual threat QB would be amazing!!!
A running QB with Hunt and Chubb lined up behind him would certainly be fun to watch.
I don’t think so. He’s getting up there in age and even tho the actual cash is similar to Wentz/Garoppolo, the cap hits are over $40 mill for 2 more years. We can cut Ryan after 2022 for “only” an $18 million dead cap hit, but… Ryan is more consistent, but I think Berry would rather roll the dice on someone who could be a Tannehill rebirth story for us and stick around longer than Ryan.
If they don’t move on from Baker Mayfield, there’ is no way I spend high draft picks on wide receivers in this draft because of this disturbing trend. He’s had excellent receivers around him already and not faired well enough. Even before his injury. As the trend shows. So Build a top 5 defense, run the ball, throw to move the chains and to keep opposing defense honest. That’s all you can do. If he falters doing this, he’s gone after his 5th year option. If we see it, so does everyone else, and nobody’s giving you anything for him. Doesn’t seem they will just let him go though.
I think they’ll sign a cheap speedy WR in free agency to let Schwartz develop another year. But the Browns have to pass to be taken seriously as a contender.
First of all, STOP WITH THE INJURY EXCUSES! Tom Brady played the entire 2020 season on a torn MCL and he won the Super Bowl! You mean to tell me that a #1 overall draft pick can’t play watchable football because he hurt his non-throwing shoulder? That’s ridiculous! Secondly, injuries do not explain why Baker Mayfield still can’t read a defense, why he can’t process the offense beyond his first read, why he lead the league in converting pressures into sacks last season, why he leads the NFL in interceptions since he was drafted, why he finishes at the bottom of the NFL in completion percentage every year, and why he always fails in the clutch. People really need to stop cherry-picking the 2nd half of 2020 and declaring that that is who Baker Mayfield is. The reality is that Baker Mayfield has a full 4-year resume that says he is a below average starting QB in the NFL and he cannot overcome even the slightest bit of adversity.
I think his injury left Baker too preoccupied with avoiding pain to allow him to progress. In fact, he regressed.
Stefanski made things easy enough for Baker to find success last year. But easy to execute means easy for defenses to adjust to.
Which is a lot of words to say I agree.
I like Baker but you are very correct
Beckam proved he was still a good number two reciever. Nothing more, nothing less. The biggest mistake the Browns made last year was not having Mayfield get the surgery he needed when his shoulder was injured. But alas, sometimes athletes get too tied up in the moment to see the bigger picture.
Yup. I think Baker could have sat out a few games early to learn how to better manage the pain and the harness. For him to say he’s still adjusting in Week 16 made no sense. The whole scenario made me wonder who was in charge- Baker or Stefanski.