Replacing Baker Mayfield: Poll

[CBBI]

Publicly proclaiming that there is going to be a QB competition is almost always a really stupid idea. They could bring in the best possible available talent as a back-up without ever doing something so stupid.

What they quietly say to each player behind closed doors can be a distinctly separate matter. Just get the best available guy on the roster. Then you have options.

Stand behind Mayfield 100% and prop him up as the top dog who's going to take us to the playoffs, do it for real. Then go for it, for real. If Baker delivers the goods, then ride with him.

If Mayfield gets injured or if he again failed to perform in a way that has us on the right track, you just go ahead and make the change. At that point I assume that the decision would be made to pull the plug, and any bridge with Baker would be burned, and we'd be wanting to move on anyhow. But we'd have someone in place who could possibly win games, and at worst serve as a viable bridge while we search for the next guy.

In a perfect world, I do not disagree with you at all.

But we're talking about human beings with human emotions, both in the locker room and also in the stands. It's easy to say/hope that everyone is an adult and will handle it fine, but it doesn't often work out that way.

You might be surprised to hear this, but I really am fine with Baker starting in 2022 if it comes to that. I totally understand there are a lot of scenarios where the Browns are unable to acquire an upgrade and he's back.

That said... I just don't feel like Baker has the maturity or personality to appropriately handle the Browns adding his possible (likely?) successor to the roster while he's still ostensibly the franchise QB.

If they add another pud veteran on the back half of their career that's never been very good like Keenum? So be it. That's not a threat.

But drafting a QB in the first two rounds? Signing or trading for a QB with starting experience that has won games recently? It's just not going to fly.

Keenum stinks and there are plenty of people who have wanted to see him out there. How do you think all of this is going to go if the guy on the bench might actually be better than the guy starting?

Baker acted like a petulant child when the fans booed/wouldn't keep quiet during the Lions game. If the guy on the bench is actually capable, he'll get booed on every incomplete pass starting in week 1.

I only see two realistic scenarios here. The QB room either has to be VERY similar to this year, where Baker is the no questions asked starter with a non-threatening backup, or Baker has to be traded.

I don't think anything in between is going to work out too well.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

In a perfect world, I do not disagree with you at all.

But we're talking about human beings with human emotions, both in the locker room and also in the stands. It's easy to say/hope that everyone is an adult and will handle it fine, but it doesn't often work out that way.

You might be surprised to hear this, but I really am fine with Baker starting in 2022 if it comes to that. I totally understand there are a lot of scenarios where the Browns are unable to acquire an upgrade and he's back.

That said... I just don't feel like Baker has the maturity or personality to appropriately handle the Browns adding his possible (likely?) successor to the roster while he's still ostensibly the franchise QB.

If they add another pud veteran on the back half of their career that's never been very good like Keenum? So be it. That's not a threat.

But drafting a QB in the first two rounds? Signing or trading for a QB with starting experience that has won games recently? It's just not going to fly.

Keenum stinks and there are plenty of people who have wanted to see him out there. How do you think all of this is going to go if the guy on the bench might actually be better than the guy starting?

Baker acted like a petulant child when the fans booed/wouldn't keep quiet during the Lions game. If the guy on the bench is actually capable, he'll get booed on every incomplete pass starting in week 1.

I only see two realistic scenarios here. The QB room either has to be VERY similar to this year, where Baker is the no questions asked starter with a non-threatening backup, or Baker has to be traded.

I don't think anything in between is going to work out too well.

I can't imagine that Baker's reaction to the Browns acquiring his potential replacement could ever include him re-signing here. If we acquire a potential replacement, but Baker balls out in 2022, he's gone in 2023.

 

[buzzdog]

So you guys are saying we can't acquire a good backup quarterback because we might hurt Bakers feelings. Sorry but that's bullshit. And in reality you really have no idea what's inside Baker's head. And, he'll sign wherever the money is the highest regardless of who his backup is.

IMO you're talking nonsense and projecting what you think might happen but you really do not know.

The HC and GM job description includes handling such situations properly and in such a way that it's about the team and not one player's feelings. They can sell it that way if they're competent at their jobs. If that can't and if they sign a scrubbier QB to protect what Baker may or may not feel, they suck at their jobs.

 

[buzzdog]

And FTR I think Mayfield was more pissed at himself for his performance and it wasn't about being booed by the fans. He made a salty comment but it was always more about him being pissed at himself.

 

[CBBI]

So you guys are saying we can't acquire a good backup quarterback because we might hurt Bakers feelings. Sorry but that's bullshit. And in reality you really have no idea what's inside Baker's head. And, he'll sign wherever the money is the highest regardless of who his backup is.

IMO you're talking nonsense and projecting what you think might happen but you really do not know.

The HC and GM job description includes handling such situations properly and in such a way that it's about the team and not one player's feelings. They can sell it that way if they're competent at their jobs. If that can't and if they sign a scrubbier QB to protect what Baker may or may not feel, they suck at their jobs.

I’m absolutely saying that Baker would not handle actual competition particularly well, yes.

But again, the Browns signing a backup QB and not giving him a single first team rep and making it clear that he’ll only play if Baker’s in a wheelchair is a lot different than bringing in a QB who could potentially out play Baker when Baker is healthy.

How are you not getting this? This entire friggin thread hasn’t been about the Browns finding a Keenum upgrade. It’s been about the Browns potentially finding a Mayfield upgrade.

 

[buzzdog]

I’m absolutely saying that Baker would not handle actual competition particularly well, yes.

But again, the Browns signing a backup QB and not giving him a single first team rep and making it clear that he’ll only play if Baker’s in a wheelchair is a lot different than bringing in a QB who could potentially out play Baker when Baker is healthy.

How are you not getting this? This entire friggin thread hasn’t been about the Browns finding a Keenum upgrade. It’s been about the Browns potentially finding a Mayfield upgrade.

You're saying the Browns can only sign a backup who's not good enough so they don't upset Mayfield. I outright reject that as a valid way to conduct a football franchise. You're willing to flush another season if anything goes wrong with Mayfield. I can't play the situation that way if I'm a GM. I go out and get a Keenum replacement who the head coach isn't afraid to put on the field if anything goes south with the starter. If the starter can't handle that then he doesn't belong in this business.

And I think you're wrong that Mayfield would handle it badly. As many others have said it's more likely he'll be even more focused on proving himself to be the lead dog.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

So you guys are saying we can't acquire a good backup quarterback because we might hurt Bakers feelings. Sorry but that's bullshit. And in reality you really have no idea what's inside Baker's head. And, he'll sign wherever the money is the highest regardless of who his backup is.,

That's one possibility.

IMO you're talking nonsense and projecting what you think might happen but you really do not know.

And obviously, neither do you.

 

[Sebastian]

That's one possibility.



And obviously, neither do you.

 

[The Oi]

People’s past actions and the things they say can be used to get an idea of what they think and to project future actions.

Baker is a public figure, so there’s a lot of his statements and actions out there for people to consider.

If a co-worker had a bad day at work and they told me it was because they got pissed off in the morning because someone tailgated them, I’d be a little dubious. If the next day I drove beside them and saw them flipping someone off who had just tailgated them and then they performed poorly at work, I’d believe them. If it happened the next day, followed by the poor performance and a tantrum with name-calling around the office, I’d be concerned and I’d start to want them out of there.

Using actions and statements to assume things about mindset. ^^^

 

[CBBI]

I go out and get a Keenum replacement who the head coach isn't afraid to put on the field if anything goes south with the starter. If the starter can't handle that then he doesn't belong in this business.

You’re so close to getting it

 

[CBBI]

You're willing to flush another season if anything goes wrong with Mayfield.

Just my opinion, but the risk of “flushing the season” rises exponentially before it ever begins if the Browns opt to bring in a QB they’d be willing to bench a healthy Baker for.

I’m simply looking at it from the human perspective. Baker Mayfield has been the no questions asked franchise QB for the last four years in Cleveland. In his mind and in his agent’s minds, he’s the guy who ended the infamous Browns jersey of QB futility bullshit. He’s the guy who took this team to the playoffs and won a playoff game in Pittsburgh.

And now before his 5th season as the starter, when Baker’s fighting for the big fat contract he thinks he’s already earned, the Browns are going to show a disgusting lack of faith in him (in his and his agent’s minds) by bringing on another QB that they’d be willing to *bench* Baker for if he struggles?

And you think that’s going to be handled totally appropriately? By a guy who has shown some immature tendencies in the past? Cmon now.

I am not comparing them, but you know that Baker sees himself on the same level as Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson and those franchises sure as shit aren’t bringing in other QBs they’re going to bench their starter for if things “go south”.

If the Browns have the opportunity to bring in a QB they feel could be better than a healthy Baker next year, then need to just acquire that QB and get rid of Baker before next season ever begins.

 

[Douglar]

But the good news is that Baker can make us forget we ever had this conversation if he just balls out for the last 5 games---

 

[Vee-Rex]

And FTR I think Mayfield was more pissed at himself for his performance and it wasn't about being booed by the fans. He made a salty comment but it was always more about him being pissed at himself.

I think it was both.

How we handle the QB situation is pretty important. We saw how starting Hurts over Wentz pretty much killed any chance of keeping Wentz in Philadelphia (from a relationship perspective). Some players just don't take it well when the FO loses faith in them. None of us can guarantee how Baker would handle it if we brought in a QB for competition, but I'm leaning towards him not handling it well. We saw how he dealt with Hue when he felt betrayed/disrespected, and we're already seeing somewhat of a turning point with the fans on social media (with his wife) as well as the comment in the post game. It's not hard to imagine he would be wanting to move on if we brought in competition, whether he has a great 2022 or not. If he has a bad 2022 then I guess it doesn't matter but if he actually plays well then we've potentially ruined/soured our relationship with him.

It's just not worth it to have Baker compete with a guy that's basically in the same tier. Either get rid of Baker (preferably for a clear upgrade) or ride with him for one more year.

 

[CBBI]

Not just outside noise, huh?

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

How we handle the QB situation is pretty important. We saw how starting Hurts over Wentz pretty much killed any chance of keeping Wentz in Philadelphia (from a relationship perspective). Some players just don't take it well when the FO loses faith in them. None of us can guarantee how Baker would handle it if we brought in a QB for competition, but I'm leaning towards him not handling it well. We saw how he dealt with Hue when he felt betrayed/disrespected, and we're already seeing somewhat of a turning point with the fans on social media (with his wife) as well as the comment in the post game. It's not hard to imagine he would be wanting to move on if we brought in competition, whether he has a great 2022 or not. If he has a bad 2022 then I guess it doesn't matter but if he actually plays well then we've potentially ruined/soured our relationship with him.

It's just not worth it to have Baker compete with a guy that's basically in the same tier. Either get rid of Baker (preferably for a clear upgrade) or ride with him for one more year.

I would add to this that we do know Baker's history of loving nothing more than proving his doubters wrong. And we also know from his history that he has no issue leaving a team if he feels he's being shown a lack of respect. He walked-on at Texas Tech, won the starting job, but after a very successful freshman season, got pissed because he was told he'd have to compete for the starting job for the bowl game. He was sufficiently pissed at that perceived slight that he transferred to Oklahoma and carried a big grudge against Texas Tech and Kliff Kingsbury moving forward.

Now, that doesn't prove that he'd definitely react the same way if told he was going to have to compete for the Browns starting QB position next season. There's clearly some degree of speculation/opinion involved. I just personally think we'd likely lose him after that season no matter what, and that he'd probably be willing to take a bit less to play elsewhere just to stick it to the higher ups here who doubted him.

Of course, if he truly sucks, then that's no great loss. If he doesn't...then it is.