A new starting quarterback could be on the way to the AFC South
There could be a new starting quarterback coming to the AFC South in 2022. The Cleveland Browns are reportedly in on the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes, which means they could be looking to trade starting quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield addressed the reports via a cryptic tweet on Tuesday night that was cryptic despite the quarterback saying […]
There could be a new starting quarterback coming to the AFC South in 2022.
The Cleveland Browns are reportedly in on the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes, which means they could be looking to trade starting quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield addressed the reports via a cryptic tweet on Tuesday night that was cryptic despite the quarterback saying he wasn't trying to be cryptic.
If the Browns manage to land Watson from the Houston Texans (the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and New Orleans Saints are also interested), then Mayfield would presumably head to Houston.
Mayfield, however, would reportedly prefer to be traded to the Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts need a quarterback after trading Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders earlier this month.
Cleveland's desire to land Watson, who didn't play in 2021 due to allegations of sexual assault, likely has a lot to do with the emergence of Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns probably feel like they need an elite quarterback to compete with the Bengals, as well as the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Mayfield hasn't been elite, but he's been better than I think many folks realize. The Browns were a complete laughingstock before Mayfield arrived in 2018.
The Browns were 11-53 in the four years before Mayfield was drafted.
In four years as a starter in Cleveland, Mayfield has a 29-30 record.
That's not quite a turnaround like we saw with Burrow and the Bengals this past season, but it's certainly a massive improvement.
Cleveland, however, is essentially ready to discard Mayfield after a rough injury-filled 2021 season.
We'll see how this all plays out. It's really up to Watson, who has a full no-trade clause. But it appears possible, at least, that the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars (and either the Colts or Texans) could be playing against Mayfield twice a season in the AFC South.
Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
