Proposed Aaron Rodgers for Baker Mayfield trade illogical for both teams

ESPN recently proposed a blockbuster trade between the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers but the Baker Mayfield for Aaron Rodgers swap is illogical for both teams

It’s the time of year where we get some crazy Cleveland Browns rumors and this time, they involve quarterback Baker Mayfield. Of course, these rumors aren’t sprouting up because of anything the Browns quarterback did but because of what another quarterback has done.

Aaron Rodgers the NFL’s reigning MVP, recently let the Green Bay Packers know he was unhappy with them and wants out. This naturally led to a lot of speculation about where he could end up and while the Browns aren’t the top choice for a landing spot — nor are they a destination listed out by Rodgers — they have been mentioned by members of the media as a team to watch.

In fact, Bill Barnwell of ESPN recently listed several franchises that could trade for No. 12 and he not only mentioned Cleveland, but even had a proposed trade put together. In that deal, Cleveland would give up a lot — including Baker Mayfield, David Njoku, and a couple of first-round picks for Rodgers and cornerback Josh Jackson.

"“The proposed trade from ESPN’s Bill Barnwell sends the Browns 2022 and 2023 first-round picks to the Packers, along with quarterback Baker Mayfield and tight end David Njoku in exchange for Rodgers and cornerback Josh Jackson.” — via Troy L. Smith, Cleveland.com"

This idea was met with a lot of pushback from Browns fans who are 100 percent sold on Mayfield, who is just 26-years old, and see no reason to trade for Rodgers, who is 37 now and will turn 38 this season.

That age difference is the biggest reason Cleveland fans are out on this trade but it shouldn’t be the only reason. On top of swapping quarterbacks, Barnwell is pitching the idea of giving up two first-round picks.

Such a trade would absolutely slow down the roster-building general manager Andrew Berry has been undergoing. The fact that the Browns are being mentioned as suitors is the fact that Berry has been killing it and has a roster that could contend with anyone. And if you were to add one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, they would suddenly be favorites to win it all.

However, they would also be in danger of a quick decline. Not only would Rodgers be 39 the following season, but Cleveland’s lack of a first-round pick in 2022 and 2023 would make it harder for that projected success to continue with A-Rod.

Having said that, the trade really doesn’t make a lot of sense for the Packers either. While the haul would be nice, they just spent a 2020 first-round pick on Jordan Love from Utah State — a quarterback they traded up for.

Love spent 2020 on the bench but has a full year of work now in Matt LaFleur’s offense. Clearly, this staff made the move for Love thinking he was the heir to Rodgers’ throne in Green Bay so they’re not going to be looking for a new quarterback in a trade — unless it’s a veteran bridge quarterback who could start for a season or two at most while Love continues to develop.

In the end, it’s a moot point because Cleveland is set with their quarterback. It’s just interesting to see an idea such as this get floated even when it doesn’t make logical sense for either club.