The Browns best and worst case scenarios from Jake Trotter

Jake Trotter’s best and worst-case scenarios for the Cleveland Browns are wild.

Jake Trotter thinks the 2022 Cleveland Browns will be dependent on how much faith the team has in Baker Mayfield going forward. If they trust him, they’ll make moves to support him, if they don’t, they’ll make moves to bring in someone they have more faith in.  Trotter writes that it’ll come down to how much the Browns decision-makers believe his inconsistent play in 2021 was due to his shoulder injury.

If the Browns move on from Mayfield, Trotter thinks that the team could be in play for Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, or Kirk Cousins. All of whom bring their own share of baggage with them. While there are GMs in LA that isn’t worried about their team’s long-term viability, most GMs in the league would argue that the New England model is the best way to go about sustained success.

For Trotter, finding a way to split the difference between the Rams and the Patriots of the NFL is the best-case scenario for the Browns.

Trotter’s best-case scenario

"The Browns land Rodgers or Wilson without having to trade away any of their current young stars, notably pass-rusher Myles Garrett, cornerback Denzel Ward or running back Nick Chubb. And they supply that quarterback with a proven player at wide receiver via another trade or through free agency."

Yet, the worst-case scenario is arguably worse than any fans really thought about, and probably far more likely to happen

Trotters worst-case scenario

"The Browns don’t re-sign Clowney to solidify their pass rush opposite Garrett, then fail to get Mayfield any notable help offensively at wide receiver through either the draft and free agency."

Browns should roll the dice on Baker Mayfield and re-evaluate after 2022

The Cleveland Browns aren’t in a place where it makes sense to move on right now. Baker Mayfield had great seasons in 2018 and 2021, and a bad season in 2021 due to a major injury. Maybe he’s not the guy, but judging him on an injury-filled year reaks of nothing but bias confirmation.

Going after Rodgers with a year left on his deal would mean giving up a lot, maybe too much, to go get him. He’s got what, a year or two left in him? Then what? Another eight years of “looking for the next guy”? That sounds like hell. Recency bias claims “go get the quarterback” and “f— them draft picks” but ya know what? I don’t want one Super Bowl win if it means years of sucking afterward.

This team is good, and it can remain good as you continually use the draft to replenish the roster. Teams who go “all in” end up rebuilding for a long time. There is a way to win a Super Bowl without sacrificing your future.

The team should not make any major moves that would require them to send first and second-round picks in exchange for a 40-year-old player. That’s as short-sighted as it gets.