Cleveland Browns, Baker Mayfield: To play or not to play?
Why would the Browns sit Baker Mayfield the last two games?
1. These are meaningless games – The Browns have, according to ESPN analytics, a 1 percent chance of making the playoffs. Finishing at 8-7-1 according to those that would sit Mayfield is like the golfing expression “whipped cream on (expletive deleted)” when you hole a 20-footer for double bogey.
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If the Browns are truly an attractive landing spot for head coaching candidates, why would you jeopardize the health of our number one asset, particularly when Baltimore might have something to play for?
2. John Dorsey has already made up his mind about the head coaching job – Gregg Williams is 4-2 since taking over for Hue Jackson. Not starting Baker in the last two games is, in my opinion, similar to tanking, and that would mean that John Dorsey has already seen enough and has decided to keep Williams and/or Kitchens or has already decided to move on.
3. They want to drive up the trade value for Tyrod Taylor – I’m reaching on this one as it would likely take a franchise tag on Taylor to be able to trade him. However, if the Browns want this as an option, the last two games with Kitchens as offensive coordinator could be an opportunity for Taylor to put out better tape than the first two games of this season, which could add trade value.