The Cleveland Browns put themselves in a unique position this offseason. They traded for Deshaun Watson while having Baker Mayfield on the roster. With Watson’s 22 civil cases, the Browns may need another starter this year but their relationship with Mayfield seems tattered.
Mayfield’s one-year, $18.9 million contract has made a trade difficult.
Going into the offseason, Cleveland made it clear that they saw Mayfield as their starter unless a clear upgrade was available. Watson is that clear upgrade but could not be available for part of the upcoming season.
While it would make sense that Mayfield would step in during a Watson suspension, there seems to be some discord with the former starter in the locker room.
The Browns added Jacoby Brissett shortly after the Watson trade as the, assumed, backup for 2022.
If Watson is suspended and Mayfield is either not on the team or not used as the backup, Cleveland will need Brissett to at least match Mayfield’s performance in 2021.
Dealing with serious injury, Mayfield had his worst year as a pro but the team was still 6-8 in games he started. Completing just over 60% of his passes for 3,010 yards, the former top overall pick was inaccurate. His 17 touchdowns were his fewest as a pro while he added 13 interceptions in just 14 games.
Last year, with the Miami Dolphins, Brissett started five games. The Dolphins were 2-3 during those games as he completed 63% of his passes for 1283 yards. Like Mayfield, Brissett’s TD to INT ratio was underwhelming, 5:4.
In the two seasons he played the most, 2017 and 2019 with the Indianapolis Colts, Brissett averaged just under 60% completion with a combined 31 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Based on the 35 games he has started, Brissett’s performance was far from spectacular but compare favorably to the version of Mayfield seen on the field in 2021. While that would not be good enough to compete for the playoffs, it could be good enough to tread water during a potential Watson suspension.
Watson could avoid a suspension altogether or Mayfield could somehow start during a suspension but if Brissett is called upon he should be able to keep the ship afloat in 2022.
