3 Options for the Cleveland Browns to replace Baker Mayfield in 2022
By Greg Newland
A lot of fans love Baker Mayfield, but if the Cleveland Browns really want to compete for a Super Bowl, they should be finding his replacement.
I know most rooting for the Cleveland Browns want it to work out with the organization and Baker Mayfield, but I’m just not sold it’s going to. The fact that we keep having to ask, “is Baker the guy?” after nearly four full years, means that he continues to give us all hesitation.
You know what is for certain, Baker Mayfield is the best quarterback the Browns have had since returning in 1999. However, that doesn’t mean he’s the best option at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns moving forward.
General manager, Andrew Berry, has been able to put a ton of talent around Mayfield, and it continues to feel like a struggle.
Last Sunday is a perfect example of what we have seen all season. Cleveland played an awful Detroit Lions team with a backup quarterback and walked away with a 13-10 win. The defense played fantastic football. They gave up one long touchdown run but twice had to bail out Mayfield following ugly interceptions.
Early in the fourth quarter, Mayfield threw his second bad interception. He completely sailed a ball to a wide-open guy that gave the ball to the Lions at the Cleveland 34. The Browns defense held the Lions to just nine yards, and they were forced to a field goal.
I’m sorry, but 15-of-29 for 176 yards and two interceptions just isn’t going to get it done for this organization. Mayfield was a crucial part of getting things back on track, but it’s likely going to take a change at quarterback if the Browns really want to be Super Bowl contenders.
The free agency class is weak for 2022 and with Mayfield’s contract, it would likely take a trade anyway to replace the former first-round pick. With that being said, here are three players the Browns could consider targeting via trade.