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Replacing Baker Mayfield: Poll

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What Should the Browns Do at QB in 2022?

  • Trade for Aaron Rodgers

    Votes: 5 6.0%
  • Trade for DeShaun Watson

    Votes: 10 11.9%
  • Trade for Russell Wilson

    Votes: 21 25.0%
  • Spend a first round pick on a QB

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Draft a developmental QB later

    Votes: 6 7.1%
  • Sign a veteran to replace Keenum and extend Baker Mayfield

    Votes: 2 2.4%
  • Franchise/Transition tag Baker on a one year contract and sign a veteran

    Votes: 15 17.9%
  • Accept the $18.8 million team option for Baker like Lee said, fuck it.

    Votes: 25 29.8%

  • Total voters
    84
  • Poll closed .
Thing is the Browns were a playoff team - even won a playoff game on the road - just one year ago with the same QB.
I think you go into the season backing the guy. You should be looking for other options if they fall into your lap (Rodgers, Wilson, Watson). He can get better. I think he was more hurt than people realize.

That being said, next year is it. If he can't figure it out it is time to cut and run. Another losing season under him will be detrimental to the culture of this team.
 
Thing is the Browns were a playoff team - even won a playoff game on the road - just one year ago with the same QB.

Correct.

The Browns won 12 out of 18 times in 2020 with above average QB play.

The Browns won 8 out of 17 times in 2021 with terrible QB play.

I am not trying to be matter of fact, but any other "issue" the Browns had in 2021 was basically just window dressing.
 
Correct.

The Browns won 12 out of 18 times in 2020 with above average QB play.

The Browns won 8 out of 17 times in 2021 with terrible QB play.

I am not trying to be matter of fact, but any other "issue" the Browns had in 2021 was basically just window dressing.

Not sure it breaks down that simply. But, in any event, if the question is starting from our current roster how best to be better in 2022 by replacing specific players, the answer isn't "change the quarterback" IMO. And I say that even though I didn't like Mayfield in his draft and I don't think he'll ever be a top 5 quarterback. (And I haven't followed along closely enough to know whether you advocate for changing the quarterback, so I'm not suggesting that's your position.)
 
I also think that in order to build a winning culture where QBs want to play we have to stick with Mayfield for a bit. When other QBs see that we churn through players they aren't going to want to play here. This may mean that we are a middle of the road team for a bit.

Building a winning culture takes time. To be seen as a winning team that is worthwhile to play for takes even longer. We aren't magically going to get someone that changes the franchise around without showing we are a well structured team first. Do that and you'll have more options to replace struggling players.
 
I also think that in order to build a winning culture where QBs want to play we have to stick with Mayfield for a bit. When other QBs see that we churn through players they aren't going to want to play here. This may mean that we are a middle of the road team for a bit.

Building a winning culture takes time. To be seen as a winning team that is worthwhile to play for takes even longer. We aren't magically going to get someone that changes the franchise around without showing we are a well structured team first. Do that and you'll have more options to replace struggling players.
I'm not sure it has much to do with a winning culture.

If we are to upgrade, I don't think anyone would blame us and it wouldn't affect our reputation.

I just think that the logical and rational move is to keep him if we ~can't~ upgrade. Why? Because Baker just had the best season of his career before getting seriously injured. I know his critics will look at his career numbers and dismiss him as a potential franchise QB. I know his critics are tired of the "excuses" given for his poor performances. However, I don't think enough emphasis is placed on the sequential manner of his performances.

I think the above ^^^ is the lifeline for Baker and why our coaching staff and front office are willing to roll with him if they can't upgrade. It's not like he had a good 2019, then proceeded to be terrible in 2020, then injured in 2021. If that was the sequence I'd say he'd be gone, no questions asked. However, his career year was literally right before his injury-filled 2021 year, and he seemed to be carrying that performance right up until the week 2 injury itself. This is fact and is undoubtedly a part of evaluating him - he really didn't have much of a chance to build upon his career year. The front office knows this - people can post all the data they want but I guarantee DePodesta has more and better data than they could dream of, yet Baker is still someone they're willing to run it back with if someone like Rodgers doesn't fall into their lap.
 
Jonathon Vilma was the color commentary guy that did the Browns season finale. What he said was pretty interesting to me. He said that during one of his seasons. he played with a torn labrum. He went on to say that even the slightest move inward on that shoulder caused piercing pain which was unbearable. I think the plug should have been pulled on Baker way back when. I think Stefanskii's faith in Baker to play through that pain trumped what was the right thing to do. Mayfield was the primary reason that KS won coach of the year. Along with that came a huge slice of job security for him and his family. His insistence on playing a wounded warrior was justified in his mind because of how Mayfirld helped him so much in 2020.

Mayfield haters will not be happy with him returning next season butI place it at a 90% chance of that happening. Mayfield's stock right now is really low. Trading him will not bring much value at all. Just like playing the market, buying low and selling high is the correct thing to do. The Browns will not get a good value right now in moving him.
 
Jonathon Vilma was the color commentary guy that did the Browns season finale. What he said was pretty interesting to me. He said that during one of his seasons. he played with a torn labrum. He went on to say that even the slightest move inward on that shoulder caused piercing pain which was unbearable. I think the plug should have been pulled on Baker way back when. I think Stefanskii's faith in Baker to play through that pain trumped what was the right thing to do. Mayfield was the primary reason that KS won coach of the year. Along with that came a huge slice of job security for him and his family. His insistence on playing a wounded warrior was justified in his mind because of how Mayfirld helped him so much in 2020.

Mayfield haters will not be happy with him returning next season butI place it at a 90% chance of that happening. Mayfield's stock right now is really low. Trading him will not bring much value at all. Just like playing the market, buying low and selling high is the correct thing to do. The Browns will not get a good value right now in moving him.
A torn labrum is extremely painful and I have absolutely no idea how Baker did it (I assume a shit ton of pain meds). I assume the brace is designed to help stabilize it a bit but I can't imagine it removes the pain.

As you said Bakers value is at an all time low after helping the browns win a playoff game last year. At this point play out the string and see what happens
 
A torn labrum is extremely painful and I have absolutely no idea how Baker did it (I assume a shit ton of pain meds). I assume the brace is designed to help stabilize it a bit but I can't imagine it removes the pain.

As you said Bakers value is at an all time low after helping the browns win a playoff game last year. At this point play out the string and see what happens
The Baker haters will argue that playing in pain doesn't alter the fact that Mayfield missed reads, threw to the wrong receiver and on and on. I would counter that, playing with that type of pain, coupled with playing much of the season with a pair of shit tackles, absolutely would affect cognitive abilities as well.

Ir's funny that Mayfield was the third highest rated quarterback over the final 12 weeks of the 2020 season if the 2 playoff games are included. Yet to these people he must go. That year the offense carried that team led by Mayfield. In my opinion, the Browns would have been headed to Buffalo and played for the AFC championship had it not been for a blown helmet to hemet no call on the goal line in Kansas City.
 
The Baker haters will argue that playing in pain doesn't alter the fact that Mayfield missed reads, threw to the wrong receiver and on and on. I would counter that, playing with that type of pain, coupled with playing much of the season with a pair of shit tackles, absolutely would affect cognitive abilities as well.

Ir's funny that Mayfield was the third highest rated quarterback over the final 12 weeks of the 2020 season if the 2 playoff games are included. Yet to these people he must go. That year the offense carried that team led by Mayfield. In my opinion, the Browns would have been headed to Buffalo and played for the AFC championship had it not been for a blown helmet to hemet no call on the goal line in Kansas City.

Completely disagree —

Most posters and fans have experience being a good to elite QB in the NFL while playing with a torn labrum.
 
I'm genuinely wondering how Baker playing through injury, poorly or well, is on anyone but Baker*. He got injured in the Texans game and was examined by doctors. They gave their medical opinion, and he went back in the game. He was examined afterwards, given a diagnosis, and made his decisions based on that. My doctor can tell me I have a broken bone and make recommendations, but getting a cast, or which cast, is ultimately up to me. Same with Baker. He was told he had a torn labrum (and whatever else), and he made the decision to get a brace and play. I heard him say it doesn't effect his play. He could've said, "I'm too hurt and want surgery." The Cleveland Browns could *not* say, "sit down and get surgery," without him wanting to. If my QB says he can play, or "thats why I have 2 shoulders," it becomes quite a bit harder to sit him. Imagine sitting Baker just because of bad play. If he's medically cleared, you pretty much have to play him until he asks out (or it's a blowout). If Baker says he needs to sit, you absolutely do it. If he says he needs surgery, you let him get it. Never force a guy to play, but you also can't sit a QB that says he's good enough to play.


*obviously operating only with public knowledge.
 
Completely disagree —

Most posters and fans have experience being a good to elite QB in the NFL while playing with a torn labrum.

I'm genuinely wondering how Baker playing through injury, poorly or well, is on anyone but Baker*. He got injured in the Texans game and was examined by doctors. They gave their medical opinion, and he went back in the game. He was examined afterwards, given a diagnosis, and made his decisions based on that. My doctor can tell me I have a broken bone and make recommendations, but getting a cast, or which cast, is ultimately up to me. Same with Baker. He was told he had a torn labrum (and whatever else), and he made the decision to get a brace and play. I heard him say it doesn't effect his play. He could've said, "I'm too hurt and want surgery." The Cleveland Browns could *not* say, "sit down and get surgery," without him wanting to. If my QB says he can play, or "thats why I have 2 shoulders," it becomes quite a bit harder to sit him. Imagine sitting Baker just because of bad play. If he's medically cleared, you pretty much have to play him until he asks out (or it's a blowout). If Baker says he needs to sit, you absolutely do it. If he says he needs surgery, you let him get it. Never force a guy to play, but you also can't sit a QB that says he's good enough to play.


*obviously operating only with public knowledge.
Mayfield can clamor all he wants to play, but it is not his deciison whether he plays or not. That falls 100% on the head coach.
 
Mayfield can clamor all he wants to play, but it is not his deciison whether he plays or not. That falls 100% on the head coach.

No it isn’t.

But it is a decision between the medical staff, the head coach and the players ability to play with pain.
 
If Baker decided to sit and get surgery after being medically cleared, would the fanbase have been content with that?

I’m guessing no, and I’m guessing they would question his toughness. Short of actually winning a Super Bowl with Keenum, they would have always played the “what-could-have-been“ game and blamed Baker for not playing through pain.
 

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