Cleveland Browns: Quarterback situation and the looming problem at the end of the season

The Cleveland Browns should expect seriously improved quarterback play this upcoming season. This could, however, create a problem for the team at the end of the season.

The Cleveland Browns, for the first time in recent memory, have an abundance of talent at the quarterback position. General manager John Dorsey has made a complete overhaul, bringing in some talented passers in the process.

Last years starting quarterback, Deshone Kizer, has been moved to the Packers. Backups Kevin Hogan and Cody Kessler have been dealt to the Redskins and Jaguars respectively. These gun slingers combined last season to be one of the worst quarterback rooms in the league.

Among them, that trio had a combined 3,537 yards with 15 touchdowns, 28 picks, and a combined 54.4 completion percentage — although much of that was on Kizer as the starter.

How Things Should Look This Season

Browns fans should not look to expect stats nearly that bad this season. Dorsey brought in veterans in Tyrod Taylor and Drew Stanton. Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield was also drafted to be tutored by the vets and should eventually become the future of the franchise.

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Last season Taylor threw for 2,799 yards with 14 touchdowns, just four interceptions, and a 62.6 completion percentage with the Bills. Stanton managed 894 yards with six scores, four interceptions, and a 49.7 completion percentage.

Thats a combined 3,693 yards with 20 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a combined 60.3 completion percentage — a vast improvement over the previous group. Then there’s Mayfield, who has yet to throw a pass in the NFL, but the team has high hopes for.

The Problem For The Future

The Browns will be faced with a serious problem at the end of the season. After this season, Taylor’s contract is up and he should be looking to get paid. If he plays well, which, according to his history we should fully expect, the Browns are faced with a serious problem.

This could be the best player under center the Dawg Pound has had since returning to the NFL, so would they just let him walk?

The Chiefs were faced with a similar problem this past season. Alex Smith had a great year, but they had drafted Pat Mahomes to replace him. Smith took the Chiefs to the playoffs, but didn’t take them far.

They ended up sending Smith to the Redskins for defensive back Kendall Fuller and a third round pick. This next season for the Chiefs the Browns should watch cautiously to see how it all pans out.

As for Cleveland, this preseason will be pivotal in deciding how to approach their impending decision on Taylor.

If Mayfield performs well in the preseason and shows signs of being a good starter for the Browns, then the veteran will most likely be gone after the 2018 season. If he doesn’t show enough promise, then it would be hard to let Taylor walk — especially if he is successful.

Cleveland fans should be all in on a future of Baker Mayfield. However, if Taylor ends up taking a team who currently has the longest playoff drought in the NFL to the post season (or close to it even), it would be hard for the fan base to not fall in love with him.

These may be if’s, but Taylor is the quarterback who broke the last longest playoff streak in the NFL. He did this with the Bills last season. He faced quarterback controversy that entire season, and still had a good year and guided them farther than expected.

Next: Cleveland Browns: Early Team MVP Award predictions

Whichever way the Browns go, they could finally have a bright future at the position.