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Baker Mayfield taking snaps with Browns in 2022 is worst take ever

By Nick Dudukovich

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield heads to the locker room following a 37-14 loss against the Arizona Cardinals at FirstEnergy Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio. Baker's streak of 53 consecutive starts will come to an end on Thursday as Case Keenum has been named the starter for the Browns' matchup against the Denver Broncos.Bakertunnel
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield heads to the locker room following a 37-14 loss against the Arizona Cardinals at FirstEnergy Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio. Baker's streak of 53 consecutive starts will come to an end on Thursday as Case Keenum has been named the starter for the Browns' matchup against the Denver Broncos.Bakertunnel /
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The continued reporting of Baker Mayfield taking a snap with the Cleveland Browns in 2022 may be the worst team sports take in the history of the franchise.

Ian Rapoport floated such comments during draft weekend, stating that if Deshaun Watson is suspended, it makes sense for Mayfield to play. He doubled down on that take while appearing on the Pat McAfee Show.

Rapoport insisted it “Makes sense for everyone to bury the [hatchet]…it actually benefits everyone if they can get past the feelings part of this.”

Rapoport is as plugged in as they get. He’s not a stranger to breaking big NFL stories. And in a world where we’re all emotionless robots, he’s not wrong. But that’s just it. He’s overlooking a major issue here. Despite the rise of analytics, the game is still played by human beings, not robots.

Because of course it makes sense, on paper or in Madden for Mayfield to show up and play until the Browns can use Watson. But this is the real world. Mayfield’s recent appearance on whatever that podcast was indicates his feelings are hurt.

Let’s indulge Rap Sheet, though. Let’s say in this cockamamie world envisioned by Rap Sheet, Mayfield plays. Suppose he balls out. Yes his trade value increases, but imagine the public reaction when he’s dealt. Remember, there’s still a healthy sect of fans who aren’t on board with Watson. Now you’re going to move Mayfield who is showing the fan base what the Browns will be missing now that’s he’s healthy?

Imagine if Baker Mayfield played, and played well

And playing well is entirely possible. The Browns’ schedule for the first four games of the season is trash. Mayfield could go for 4-0. Talk about the quarterback controversies of quarterback controversies.

The Haslam aren’t going to invite that dilemma upon themselves, which is why Jacoby Brissett was signed.

We’ll soon see whether there’s actually anything to what Rapoport is selling. Much is made of the $18 million he’s guaranteed, but it’s not like he has to show to mandatory practices. The Browns can simply excuse him–and certainly will.

Next. 5 Guardians to start worrying about. dark

Baker Mayfield logging stats for the Browns in 2022. Fun to tweet about. Fun to go on the radio and talk about. Not actually set in reality, though.

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