Since the Cleveland Browns came back into the NFL in 1999 they have been looking for a franchise quarterback. Could homegrown talent Mitchell Trubisky be the answer?
Since the Cleveland Browns have parted ways with Berrie Kosar, they have been looking for a franchise quarterback. This is even before they moved to Baltimore in 1996 and were awarded an “expansion team” in 1999. Could another local QB in Mitchell Trubisky do the same?
From their re-emergence into the NFL, they have tried and tried again to get that elusive franchise QB. They have used numerous first round choices on QB’s from Tim Couch to Johnny Manziel. Needless to say, nothing has quite worked out as expected, however some have been worse than others.
Cleveland traded for Brock Osweiler, but word is it that it was more of an “NBA-type” trade. They had the cap space and took on Osweiler’s $16 million this season to acquire the Texans second- round pick for 2018.
They have second-year man Cody Kessler whom they chose in the third round of last year’s draft. Kessler wasn’t even supposed to play last season let alone start. Injuries forced the Browns to place him behind center.
Behind a makeshift offensive line, Kessler had his troubles. He still ended up with better statistics than most would have thought. Unfortunately, he himself was injured, incurring two concussions during the season.
They brought in Robert Griffin and he was injured in the first game. He has never been the same player since his rookie season. He was released in the offseason.
Josh McCown was the real veteran presence for Cleveland last season but he too succumbed to injuries. McCown found himself released and is now with the Jets.
As of this writing, the Browns have Kessler, Osweiler and Kevin Hogan as options under center for the upcoming season. For a lot of Cleveland fans, this will not do.
Mitchell Trubisky is a local product who grew up in the Cleveland suburb of Mentor, OH. He played high school football for Mentor High School where he was named Ohio’s Mr. Football in 2012.
Although he received nine scholarship offers, including one from Ohio State, he committed to North Carolina. While with the Tar Heels he sat behind starting QB Marquise Williams until Williams went on to the NFL after the 2015 season.
In 2016, his junior season, Trubisky finally got the starting job in Chapel Hill and did not disappoint. He showed athleticism and poise while putting up some flashy stats, including 30 touchdowns to six interceptions.
Trubisky has good size for the position standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 222 pounds. His 2017 NFL Combine results showed his athletic prowess as he ran a 4.67 40-yard dash and 6.87 3-cone drill.
In Trubisky’s NFL.com draft profile, Lance Zierlein commented:
"Built to withstand physical challenges of the position. Calm field general. Very good pocket mobility. Can slide around circumference of the pocket without having to drop his eyes from their task. When he leaves the pocket, looks to challenge with his arm before defaulting to his feet. Always in ready-to-rip throwing posture. Delivery is crisp and efficient. Locates safeties and reads their intentions immediately after the snap. Quick through his progressions and will double back to targets if his protection allows him time. Pocket mechanics and throwing motion are solid. Tough and competitive. Shows courage and poise in the pocket. Built to withstand physical challenges of the position. Calm field general. Very good pocket mobility. Can slide around circumference of the pocket without having to drop his eyes from their task. When he leaves the pocket, looks to challenge with his arm before defaulting to his feet. Always in ready-to-rip throwing posture. Delivery is crisp and efficient. Locates safeties and reads their intentions immediately after the snap. Quick through his progressions and will double back to targets if his protection allows him time. Pocket mechanics and throwing motion are solid. Tough and competitive. Shows courage and poise in the pocket."
Having only started 13 games in his collegiate career Trubisky has some refinement to take his game to the NFL level:
"Will have to learn NFL footwork from under center which could take time. Benefits from offense loaded with RPOs (run-pass option) that pull linebackers forward and open easier throwing windows. Played in space-based passing attack that didn’t often ask him to throw to tight windows in traffic. Arm slot will drop way down causing batted balls at line of scrimmage. Too willing to float balls rather than air-mailing them out of bounds when he’s making a bail-out throw against pressure. Needs better drive accuracy between the hashes.Will have to learn NFL footwork from under center which could take time. Benefits from offense loaded with RPOs (run-pass option) that pull linebackers forward and open easier throwing windows. Played in space-based passing attack that didn’t often ask him to throw to tight windows in traffic. Arm slot will drop way down causing batted balls at line of scrimmage. Too willing to float balls rather than air-mailing them out of bounds when he’s making a bail-out throw against pressure. Needs better drive accuracy between the hashes."
The debate is whether he should have stayed in school for his senior season, however this being considered a weak QB class he chose to declare early.
He’s considered a top 3 QB prospect in the 2017 NFL Draft and a lot of experts have him as the number one overall QB.
As he is a Cleveland native, many Browns fans are clamoring for Mitchell Trubisky much like they were when Bernie Kosar was eligible for the 1985 Draft. While Cleveland has the No. 1 overall pick the consensus is that Myles Garrett is just too good to pass up.
If Trubisky is the player the Cleveland front office thinks can solve their ongoing QB search, they have a few options at their disposal.
The Browns have five of the top 65 picks this year, including No. 1 and No. 12. They will probably not use the first pick on Trubisky as that would be considered a giant reach. They could simply wait until they pick again at 12 and hope he is still on the board.
More from Dawg Pound Daily
- How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
- Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
- 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not
- Is Marcus Davenport on the Browns radar in 2023?
- 5 Free agents from Super Bowl LVII Cleveland Browns should target
The Browns could also try to trade up from 12 to ensure they get the QB they want. Numerous teams picking in the top six are rumored to be looking to trade down. The question is how much would it cost Cleveland to move up and how far up would they have to move?
Despite his limited starting experience in college, Trubisky is being called the most NFL-ready QB of the incoming class. Cleveland’s head coach Hue Jackson is known to be great at getting the most from the position. He could really help Trubisky along in his development this year so he is ready to start sooner rather than later.
Next: Looking at the rumored Browns-Jets trade
For Browns fans looking for a franchise QB and face of the team, “local kid done good” Mitchell Trubisky could be that player.