Best odds to be the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback in 2022
By Greg Newland
Right now Baker Mayfield is the favorite to be the 2022 starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. Here are three other scenarios that make sense.
The Cleveland Browns enter the most pivotal offseason I can remember. The roster has a ton of talent currently and underperformed in 2021. With a few guys still on rookie deals, it’s going to be “win-now” mode in 2022.
I know there was a lot of hype before 2019, but the team hadn’t proved anything. Because of the success in 2020 and letdown in 2021, this next season will be huge, or jobs could be lost.
One of the biggest question marks now is who will be the quarterback in 2022? Let me start by saying, I believe the favorite (by a decent margin), is Baker Mayfield. He has another year left on his rookie deal that is guaranteed, he’s proven he can be a winning quarterback in the NFL, and he played most of the season with an injury.
One of the biggest things people forget about as well is how bad this offensive line was at times, especially at tackle. Jedrick Wills played through a ton of injuries, and Jack Conklin missed a huge portion of the season with injuries.
Mayfield often created his own pressure, but he was constantly being chased around the pocket from the edge rush. I’m not saying he is the long-term answer, but I do think he will get one more shot.
One, he deserves it in my opinion. He won 11 regular-season games in 2020 and beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs and as bad as he was last year, I’ll give him one more shot.
Two, his contract is going to be very challenging to move on from. It’s fully guaranteed, and he’s coming off a bad year and major surgery. There likely won’t be a ton of suitors.
However, there are some favorites that could be the next starting quarterback. Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson are fun to think about, but here are three realistic options.