Well, the Cleveland Browns started the week in hot pursuit of Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, and the team finishes the week with a quarterback problem.
Watson is not happening, and Baker Mayfield wants a trade.
Despite wanting Watson in lieu of Mayfield, the Browns have rejected Mayfield’s trade request.
In spite of that, and putting aside the real possibility that the Browns could start the 2022 regular season with a lame-duck and potentially disgruntled quarterback in Mayfield, ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky weighed in on what is now the Mayfield sweepstakes.
Where could Mayfield play in 2022?
Orlovsky does not pose a simple move or trade from one team to another.
Instead, he is proposing a blockbuster switcheroo of quarterbacks that could make fans’ heads spin.
Given that it is NCAA March Madness season, his scenario feels a bit like a bracket challenge for quarterbacks.
What Orlovsky Said
Orlovsky has four quarterbacks changing teams.
He projects Deshaun Watson will go to the Atlanta Falcons.
Presumably, because the Texans could not handle Matt Ryan‘s contract, he has Ryan headed to Indianapolis.
Mayfield would head to Houston, and Cleveland would get Jimmy Garappolo.
I’ll preface this by saying I’m a big Jimmy G fan and would gladly support him if he came to Cleveland, but that’s basically just paying more to replace Baker with Shiny Baker.
— Samantha Bunten (@samanthabunten) March 16, 2022
The only quarterback not changing teams in Orlovsky’s scenario would be Jameis Winston who would stay with the New Orleans Saints.
My gut I guess as of now???
Watson to ATL
Ryan to Indy
Baker to Hou
Jameis to NOBrowns left to Jimmy G?
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) March 17, 2022
It Is Possible
Orlovsky’s scenario is possible should Watson choose Atlanta.
We still do not have confirmation of what team he is selecting; it is between the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons.
The only news update regarding Watson is that he has eliminated the Carolina Panthers from consideration.
Carolina has been informed it is out on Deshaun Watson, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2022
What About Seattle?
The Seahawks need a quarterback after trading Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos.
No one really believes the Seahawks are operating with an all systems go approach to Drew Lock being QB1 this season.
Josina Anderson is reporting that Seattle is considering its options; one of which is a trade with Cleveland for Mayfield.
I'm told the #Seahawks have discussed exploring acquiring Baker Mayfield at quarterback, per league sources.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 17, 2022
Conclusion
It is anybody’s guess right now how this thing will turn out.
Remember in 2021 when we thought our worlds were rocked when Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff switched teams?
That was mild in comparison to what could be coming if Orlovsky is correct.
Stay tuned.
NEXT: Browns Nation News And Notes (3/18/22)
Brown’s staff has lost credibility because of HOW they handled the Baker issue. And they deserved to. Now, they want to smoothen things over with Baker! How could that happen with the classless display of disrespect they showed Baker?? Realistically, the only way they, the untrustworthy, could hope to have Baker stay on, would be to convince him he is their QB and they believe in him. And the only way NOW to do that in hopes he would accept it, is to PAY him. For long term. And that is still a hope and prayer! Or let him go to haunt Browns forever as QB elsewhere while we the fans get to keep the “untrustworthy”.
The Browns did their job trying to find better players. Mayfield leaving is no big deal. It’s laughable that anyone thinks he is haunting anyone else. The try to replace bad players every year with better players, it’s football.
Fire Haslem,Dpodoso,and Berry. Lost all respect for the Browns.
Hi Tim, The article did not age well, but it was published this morning before the Watson to Browns trade news broke.
Here we go again rebuilding since 1999 and it continues 😫
Watson is not happening? Boy you didn’t wait long enough to post this did you?
You’re right about that one, MS. Who could have seen that coming?
They’ve lost just about every good offensive player and a few defensive guys, no wonder we’re less than an average team. Its amazing the loyalty of the cleveland fan. But regardless the bone head moves every off-season, I’m always glued to the TV every week to see the Browns play. Go Indians, oops, gaurdians. Another stupid move.
Watson is in Cleveland. Bakery Mayfield is going to the Lions.
How many games had the browns won The year before Mayfield signed. Oh Thats right. One! And who got the Browns to the playoffs? Lol Mayfield is way better then the browns!