“They’re giving him a fighting chance” Colin Cowherd explains how Amari Cooper can save Baker Mayfield in Cleveland
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Amari Cooper, Colin Cowherd and Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield essentially has one last shot with the Cleveland Browns in 2022. With how tumultuous his time in the NFL has been, it seems the Browns also view this season as Mayfield’s prove-it year as his contract runs out after the season.
In his 4-year career, Baker Mayfield has never thrown for more than 4000 yards or over 30 touchdowns. He also has had double-digit interceptions in every season except 2020. 2021 was one of his worst seasons as he started 14 games and threw only 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Granted, 2021 was ruined by a shoulder injury that clearly had a large effect on Mayfield’s accuracy but there still isn’t very much to show for, especially being a #1 overall pick. The Browns have changed things around now to try and help Baker out though.
A trade for Amari Cooper was completed recently and this is viewed as a positive reinforcement for Mayfield. Colin Cowherd discussed how the Browns are backing Mayfield with that trade.
Colin Cowherd believes Amari Cooper can help Baker Mayfield succeed in Cleveland
In a segment of his show, ‘The Herd’, Colin Cowherd was quoted saying “I like the move. I think Baker’s gonna be the quarterback. You have to find out if he’s going to be the guy for an extension. You have to give him a fair chance. I don’t think he will be. Cincinnati’s got too many weapons, the AFC has too many weapons. The A in AFC stands for ammo. The whole conference is loaded with star receivers and star quarterbacks.”
Cowherd added “Because of college football throwing the football a lot more now, these kids realize, quarterbacks and wide receivers is where the money is at. That’s why you’re seeing the quality of receivers get better. There are multiple teams with TWO star receivers now. College football is not only giving us more receivers but many are instant stars. So, I get the Dallas move and I also understand that you have to give Baker Mayfield a fighting chance in the last year of his contract.”
Now that Baker Mayfield has his star receiver, he can use that to succeed, especially given how the Browns offense is run. They want to run the ball. That is the point of having Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. What you get with that is a lethal play-action game and Amari Cooper will absolutely feast on defenders when his number is called. That right there could save Baker Mayfield.
Why Deshaun Watson isn’t a realistic replacement for Baker Mayfield
Given all of Baker Mayfield’s struggles, it’s not unreasonable to assume that the Browns want to move on from him. In fact, they may still do that after the 2022 season. But some may wonder why he isn’t being thrown out right now.
Well, the easy answer is that there is no one for the Browns to get. Aaron Rodgers stayed in Green Bay and Russell Wilson is now in Denver. The only other option the Browns have is Deshaun Watson and that provides a major issue.
Watson has a no-trade clause, meaning if he doesn’t want to go to a team, he can say that and the trade breaks down immediately. So even if Cleveland could find the capital to suffice Houston’s demands, Watson could just say no and everything would fall apart.
In another segment, Cowherd also added “I don’t think they’re going to get him in Cleveland. I don’t think they have as much to give in terms of personnel and picks. Remember, Deshaun has a no-trade clause so, he can kind of pick where he wants to go.”
Given that, it makes sense that the Browns are going to commit to their former #1 overall pick for 2022. After all, there have been times where he has shown glimpses of great play. If he can work with Amari Cooper and produce in this offense that is designed to protect him, the Browns may even re-sign Baker Mayfield after this season.
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Roshan Anand
(278 Articles Published)