Simple poll. Where do you think Mayfield starts the season?

I think he stays in Cleveland. 

I say Seahawks.

I said other. I think the Browns cut him loose and nobody else wants to deal with that headache

Cleveland. Browns eat the contract for the full year and collect the 3rd round compensatory pick in the 2023 draft when he walks as a FA. Don't see them releasing him outright.

I think he gets traded on one of the 5 draft nights to Carolina. I think that team is a bigger dumpster fire than Cleveland. 

I think if he gets cut he'll go to Tampa. 

posted by j_crazy

I think he gets traded on one of the 5 draft nights to Carolina. I think that team is a bigger dumpster fire than Cleveland.

People keep acting like the $18M guaranteed is some huge deal breaker.  But, IMO, Baker is ~ 2yr/$25-$28M starting QB right now.  Maybe about $6M more than you'd want to pay him for just 1 year, but once you add the second year and adjust incentives for backup vs. starting I don't really see an issue.

But obviously if you could, you'd wait to see if CLE doesn't just cut him.  Trade an R7 for him and then you don't have to worry about waivers.  Maybe the hang up is Baker refusing to do an extension, in which case CLE might have to work that magic before they can trade him (except Baker probably doesn't want to do anything to help CLE).

posted by gut

People keep acting like the $18M guaranteed is some huge deal breaker.  But, IMO, Baker is ~ 2yr/$25-$28M starting QB right now.  Maybe about $6M more than you'd want to pay him for just 1 year, but once you add the second year and adjust incentives for backup vs. starting I don't really see an issue.

You and most others may think that but I guarantee Mayfield doesn't. Just like Kyler Murray, Mayfield probably sees himself as a 40+million/yr QB and neither is.

Starts with Cleveland, maybe gets traded early/mid-season when the Dong Exposer gets off suspension. 

posted by BR1986FB
You and most others may think that but I guarantee Mayfield doesn't. Just like Kyler Murray, Mayfield probably sees himself as a 40+million/yr QB and neither is.

if Derek Carr gets 3 yr $121 million with $65 million guaranteed, Baker is worth 3 yr $125 million and $80 million guaranteed.

Baker will play somewhere. He is not the QB for Cleveland with the current rosters window open now. 

He is very much a capable QB who will be in the league for quite a few more years, likely as a starter.

posted by Laley23

Baker will play somewhere. He is not the QB for Cleveland with the current rosters window open now. 

He is very much a capable QB who will be in the league for quite a few more years, likely as a starter.

Exactly. He's being devalued around the league because nobody wants to eat that $18.8 million but, if he were released, there would be a line at his door. He's an NFL starting QB but I don't seeing him winning anyone a ring, even with ideal circumstances. He was a solid bridge guy to get the Browns to the QB who can possibly get them there.

I'll guess Carolina .......with a nice house on Lake Norman.