Cleveland Browns: Bench Baker Mayfield, for his own protection

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback has been impressive during his first NFL season, but it might be smart for the Browns to sit him for the rest of the season.

It’s obvious that, barring a miracle, the Cleveland Browns won’t win the AFC North this season. So I gotta ask: is it really worth putting beloved Baker Mayfield in harm’s way every week?

In the way of that helmet-to-helmet shot during the Buccaneers loss, ignored by the refs?

In the way of that ankle-tweaking first-down-marker flag in the Chargers loss?

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In the way of 20 total sacks in just 5 ½ games, tied for 10th most?

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love watching Mayfield learn the NFL – he’s the best Browns’ thing since sliced Kosar – but it gets me nervous for the future every time I see him dodging and scrambling for his life.

Isn’t that what they’re paying Tyrod Taylor to do?

I get it – we all wanted to see what rookie Mayfield was made of, if he could take us to the promised land right out of the gate, or at least close to it like in the good old days of the Browns’ twentieth-century.

But John Dorsey’s front office has absolutely crippled him – they’ve sent his deep threat to the Patriots and his veteran battering ram to the Jaguars – and now half of Mayfield’s other targets have gone down injured and opposing defenses have adjusted well to him.

With his blindside protected by a rookie instead of a future Hall of Famer, I think it’s perfectly legitimate to consider benching Mayfield for now, only to protect him for a little while longer.

Or else trade for a receiving deep threat that can help pull doubling defenses off Jarvis Landry and David Njoku and give Mayfield more to choose from so he can get rid of the ball a little faster.

And trade for a veteran left tackle that has Mayfield’s back so he can get set in the pocket instead of scrambling away from yet another sack.

And hire a better play caller who’s more creative in the red zone and on third and long.

The Browns are still a few moves away from being Mayfield-ready.

So until then, bench Baker, let him watch Taylor scramble for his life, but let the rookie learn from the safety of a sideline clipboard.

Next. Hue Jackson will soon be worst coach in NFL history. dark

Otherwise you take the risk of putting him in the kind of mediocre NFL situation that could beat the swagger out of even a confident and capable rookie.

Or even worse, end his first professional season with an injury.

Bench Baker, for now, and save him for when the Browns are ready.

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