Baker Mayfield will enter 2022 as the uncontested starter by the sound of things

The Cleveland Browns seem more in on Baker Mayfield than previously expected.

Even the most diehard Baker Mayfield loyalists can admit that the now fifth-year quarterback is in need of a major 2022. By all accounts, the Browns seem to be backing Mayfield, at least Andrew Berry is, who has gone out of his way to say that Mayfield is the starting quarterback for the team in 2022.

There are also reports that the Browns are not interested in upgrading the position by trading for a veteran. That means the Browns are seemingly out on any Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes. It also means, according to Mary Kay Cabot, that the Browns aren’t going to be going after a Mitchell Trubisky type either.

This doesn’t mean a new contract is coming this offseason, however. Both Mayfield and the Browns seemingly feel it’s in the incumbent quarterback’s best interest to play out this year and see what things look like heading into 2023. This is potentially why the Browns are looking at quarterbacks in 2022, with eyes on a potential project down the line.

Project quarterbacks rarely, if ever, pan out.

Hence why Mayfield’s representatives and the Browns met during the combine, to discuss the future of the quarterback in Cleveland.

According to Cabot, the Browns were adamant about one thing; Mayfield’s the guy.

"The Browns and Baker Mayfield’s reps met at the NFL combine on Thursday as scheduled, and the team reinforced its plans to start him in 2022 and not replace him with a veteran QB."

Both head coach Kevin Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry threw their support being Mayfield for 2022, with Berry optimistic about him returning to playoff form.

The Cleveland Browns have to get this offseason right to succeed

Many in the fandom who dislike Baker Mayfield continually cite that he needs “elite talent” to succeed, and fail to realize that every great quarterback in NFL history has had one, if not two Hall of Fame-caliber receivers during their tenure. While it’s true, to an extent, that a great quarterback can elevate the play of those around him, it’s also true that great quarterbacks don’t win without great talent around them.

In fact, look at most of the “great” quarterbacks in the NFL. Most of the ones who go to the Super Bowl only over the course of a few select years, and then never again. Wilson and Rodgers have only ever been to three combined Super Bowls. Peyton Manning, maybe the most talented passer in league history, only went to three, and only won two.

In fact, a lot of quarterbacks in the NFL only ever blossom when they have talent around them. Joe Burrow looked as well as he did due in part to Ja’Marr Chase. Matthew Staffard’s best years came when he was throwing to the best receiver in the game at that time; Calvin johnson and Cooper Kupp.

Say what you will about Mayfield’s struggles, and there is some fair criticism there, don’t disregard the fact that the “best” player Mayfield ever had to throw to was Odell Beckham Jr., who even in his “revival” with Los Angeles, was far from what he was when he was drafted.

Beckham is no longer an elite receiver and hasn’t been for years. Jarvis Landry is rightfully seen as a reliable target, but he wasn’t a true number one because he could never dominate a game on his own. See Johnson, Cupp, or Randy Moss as examples of what Landry can’t do.

I’m all in favor of replacing Mayfield if he can’t get the job done in 2022. If he gets a few big targets and the team can’t move the ball with him under center, then yes, replace him. Let’s at least give him some viable, young, play-making talent first.