Browns: Jordan Ta’amu is a long term answer for Cleveland at QB

Jordan Ta’amu could be a long-term backup QB option for the Browns.

Jordan Ta’amu was foolishly cut by the Kansas City Chiefs in May and the Browns would be equally as foolish if they don’t snatch up the young quarterback. Easily a name that the new XFL should be chomping at the bit for, Ta’amu was in Cleveland on Tuesday with a group of other players vying for a spot with the Browns. Ta’amu, who made a name for himself in Hawaii as a high schooler before ending up in Ole Miss during the Matt Luke Era, is an incredible talent who has shown to be capable of highlight reel plays.

Ta’amu broke out with the XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks during their lone season of play in early 2020. During his stint with the perfectly named BattleHawks, Ta’amu posted a stat line that included a completion percentage of 72%, for 1,050 yards in just five games, with five passing touchdowns, while also posting 217 rushing yards and a single rushing touchdown.

His 1,267 combined yards and six combined touchdowns were wildly impressive, especially since he was mostly a one-man force on that team’s offense. With Case Keenum more than likely not coming back once his terrible contract expires, Ta’amu is someone the Browns could really use.

Browns need to think beyond Case Keenum and Jordan Ta’amu helps with that

Keenum is not a good quarterback. Not really. He’s fine. In his entire career, he had just one good season to point to. He’s still living off the reputation of that one good season too. Despite the fact his stops in St. Louis, Houston, Denver, and Washington proved he isn’t a starting-caliber player, or even a backup worth keeping around, he still somehow managed to pilfer the Browns for a contract worth $18 million.

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Keenum’s contract came with a two-year penalty of $8 and $7 million respectfully, but after this year the Browns can move on from him for all but $1.3 million. The Browns should seriously consider that and bring on Ta’amu as his replacement.

Ta’amu is someone who can spread the ball around, has incredible accuracy and above-average scrambling ability. His playstyle, size, and athleticism are either comparable to Mayfield’s or even better than with Ta’amu being a slightly better athlete. He’s not as talented as Mayfield but he is a scheme fit.

He would be the perfect backup for Mayfield going forward, a statement one couldn’t say about the stiff, rigid, and unspectacular Keenum. Keenum isn’t a bad guy by any means but his singular reason for being brought on in the first place (he knew head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense) is no longer enough to justify keeping him around.

Ta’amu could be an incredible backup if given the chance and on the off chance that Mayfield and Cleveland can’t come to a deal and Mayfield leaves, could even provide a potential replacement; though that is a worst-case scenario.