The flurry of quarterback moves has left the Browns with few options regarding their previous starter. The team is not planning to hold onto Baker Mayfield in hopes of an injury changing the marketplace, preferring to give him a fresh start immediately.
Cleveland hopes to unload Mayfield soon, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer notes in an expansive piece, but the team should not be expected to receive a great return. In addition to the reduced market, the Browns are not interested in paying part of Mayfield’s fifth-year option salary ($18.9MM) to facilitate a trade, Cabot adds. Mayfield requested a trade shortly before the Browns made their historic offer to Deshaun Watson.
Despite Sam Darnold fetching three draft choices — including a 2022 second-rounder — from the Panthers last year, the Browns have limited options for their more proven starter. Darnold’s disappointing season notwithstanding, the Panthers are not believed to be interested in Mayfield. The Seahawks do still appear on the radar, with Cabot indicating they have inquired on the disgruntled QB and may become more open to a deal at a certain price point. The Browns are not expecting a first-round pick here; they would need to explore another avenue to recoup one of the first-rounders they lost by trading for Watson.
While this saga is not at the point where the Browns are considering releasing Mayfield, Cabot adds if that were to happen the Steelers would be interested (video link). Pittsburgh gave Mitchell Trubisky a two-year contract, but his barely $7MM-per-year salary leaves the team open to exploring other options or drafting a passer early.
Although the Watson-to-Cleveland buzz picked up after the Combine, Cabot reports the Browns informed Mayfield’s camp in Indianapolis they would only attempt to replace him with an elite QB like Watson or Russell Wilson. After the Browns informed him they would aim to accommodate Mayfield in a trade, the QB did not list the Lions, Panthers or Texans as desirable spots and was instead intrigued by the Colts. Indy discussed Mayfield with Cleveland but made a deal to acquire Matt Ryan.
Additionally, Cabot reports Mayfield’s trade request did not spur the Browns to make their monster offer for Watson, who is now signed to a $230MM fully guaranteed contract. Watson did narrow his list to the Falcons and Saints, but his camp is believed to have brought the Browns back into the mix. Cleveland’s fully guaranteed proposal partially surfaced to convince Watson to play in a cold-weather city.
That process — and the subsequent QB decisions from Indy, Atlanta and New Orleans — has left Mayfield and with few options. Jimmy Garoppolo‘s status further complicates the Mayfield matter, as does the surgery Mayfield underwent on his non-throwing shoulder. The coming days could determine how much the Seahawks truly like Drew Lock, as they have indicated at every turn since acquiring him, or if they are willing to part with modest draft capital for a more experienced option.
I’ve seen Baker play a few times, seemed very average.
Never saw Trubisky play, at least that I can recall.
Who is better?
Baker had a bad year last year (in part because he played hurt), but he’s had a couple of good years as a starter, while Trubisky hasn’t had any. Trubisky will flash effectiveness and offers more with his legs, but there’s no sign he’s a starter that can get you to the playoffs without really being carried there. Baker has a higher floor and higher ceiling, even if he isn’t ever a top ten QB. He should be a starter in general, Trubisky should not.
Who has a better arm?
Raw arm strength? Don’t know at this point. But Baker’s a more accurate deep passer. It’s telling how little Trubisky’s been trusted to do.
Baker, but that’s not a knock on Trubisky. Baker can make throws that literally will leave your jaw in the floor; he just can’t make them all the time.
“hasn’t had any”
You might want to check his 2018/19 stats. He was third in the league in QBR. I think he can be very effective in the right system.
QBR plus four quarters is worth a dollar.
Whatever you think, but his stats that year speak for themselves. That happened to be Nagy’s first year as the Bears head coach. He called plays to Trubisky’s strengths. Then I guess for whatever reason he decided to force in his own system and Trubisky was never the same. Like I said, in the right system that plays to his strengths, I think he can still be a good NFL QB. Outside of that one year, I believe he has been set up to fail.
Baker, by far. But he has a consistency issue.
Baker has been better for the most part. His primary problems IMO stem from injuries, which he can’t help, and “hero complex”, which he can. If he would be convinced to throw the ball around 30 times a game and not try to make a highlight reel play with every throw, he’d be a borderline top 10 QB.
As a caveat I’ve seen much less of Trubisky than Mayfield. Like Baker, Trubisky is wildly inconsistent, probably more so. He doesn’t have the arm strength or accuracy that Baker does. However, from reading what Trubisky has said since the Steelers have signed him, and what others are saying about him, it sounds like Mitchell has matured a lot and is very well liked. The Steelers have also signed James Daniels (who played with Trubisky in Chicago) and Levi Wallace (who played wih him in Buffalo). Both guys raved about Trubisky’s demeanor, preparedness, and work ethic. For that matter, it seems like everyone the Steelers have signed so far is level-headed and we’ll respected in the clubhouse…
Which brings us back to Mayfield. I really like Baker in spite of his warts. He’s a better talent than Trubisky, for sure. But if any of the rumors of Baker’s “adult-ness” are true (and I don’t know that they are), do the Steelers want to risk bringing him aboard? Honestly it’s a very interesting question and discussion, and I’m torn.
And to bring up another point: would the Browns actually trade Baker within the division? In THAT division, where everyone hates each other? I highly doubt it.
Edit: never mind, I misread, she’s talking about if they release Baker… which won’t happen IMO.
Baker
The NFL scouts obviously overrated mayfield along with Goff and Trubisky. When a QB goes #1 overall and #2 overall like those 3 teams want way way better results. As far as who’s better of those 3. I’d give it to Trubisky and I’m being nice when I say that lol
They both stink.
God I’d be interested to see mayfield in Pittsburgh and then hopefully beat Cleveland year after year. That would be so satisfying
Baker is the definition of average.
Just quickly I’d say he’s maybe the 18th best starter in this league, never really done anything special. Never really done much to excite me. Off the field he’s like an absolute loser. Heaps of confidence, entitled yet undeserving and drama king.
Whereas Mitch, he’s probably more like the 24th best QB in this league. But he’s not going to cause any issues, will turn up and work hard everyday. Usually not very good but occasionally he does have a really good game.
Mitch suits the role of a good back up in today’s game cause of his attitude and ability. When called upon you know what your getting. Whereas Baker believes he’s a starter, acts like a star and in reality is better than being a back up but he’s nothing special. Can see why teams have so far stayed away from him.
Mitch and Baker have only one less super bowl than Aaron Rodgers! Just sayin
Baker Mayfield has more talent, he has had a hard time perfecting his abilities. I don’t know if it’s the organization he’s part of or it’s him, but I would give him another chance on another team and see if he blossoms.
How about a 3 way deal: Browns send Mayfield to Seattle; Seattle sends DK to Green Bay; GB sends a first rounder to Cleveland. I have not looked at $$$/cap space, but this could be a solid foundation for a trade to make everyone a winner in the deal.
No way Seattle does that deal.
It depends on how much Seattle likes Mayfield. It seems it’s the last team that has any interest in him. And, as I stated, it’s a foundation of a deal. Other pieces can be added, depending on who wants what.
Now this is stupid. Do the Browns really think someone is going to trade for Mayfield? They’ve basically said He sucks but we want compensation for him and you owe him over 18 million dollars for next season.
Excuse me Pete. Please take Mayfield. We’ll pay half his salary and give you a three to take him. Please.
The Browns screwed themselves by hurting Baker’s value from the outset. You don’t sell a car for premium value by telling everyone how much you don’t want it and how everything is wrong with it. Even used car salesmen know better
Trubinsky had a horrible offense in Chicago and his offensive line got him sacked a lot.