Well the Superbowl is set now and guess what?  The Browns aren't in it.  Bengals are!  6 months ago there was such hope and a feeling that this could be our year, now it's next year  - again.

So what about next year?  So many questions around the league in general, with many new coaches, GM's, and QB's in new homes probably. Lots of speculation as where Baker Mayfield will be, and what the Browns will actually do. If I was a betting man today, I would say the Browns are looking for a new direction there. It sounds so easy, but it's not.  QB's don't grow on trees, and let's face it, young guys with money and fame, well Cleveland?  Yes, that's still a thing.  Then there's the whole money thing. A GM's job is not just to put a great team on the field, but he has rules and a boss too, (just like us)  and there's an end to the money and salary cap issues.

Anything can happen, but if it was me, I'd keep Baker -  get him healthy and enjoy the bargain price of 18 million for next season and see what happens.  But I fear that is not plan A. I feel with the Browns that is the "fall back" plan. But who? Word is Kurt Cousins from the Vikings may be in play.  OK, I thought the whole idea was to get better.  Any way you look at that, you're probably not better with that move and he's 35 million or so.  And you then have to find someone to trade with for Baker. 

There's a thought that local kid and top draft pick a few years ago, Mitchell Tribisky may be signed to a bargain one year deal and compete with Baker to spark a fire.  OK, again I thought the whole idea was to get better and NOT start up a stupid QB controversy YET AGAIN!   Derrick Carr from the Raiders is a possibility in many ways.  But the dominoes around the league would have to fall exactly right, and then convince him to come here. And there lies yet another problem for us.

Any QB that is willing to come to the Midwest and play football outdoors from anywhere else, Las Vegas, California, the south, anywhere, we have two big problems.  The Packers (probably) and the Steelers, both will need QB's.  That darn Mike Tomlin! You want to play for Mike Tomlin or Stefanski? That's easy.  You want to play at Lambeau Field, or here?  Wear Steeler black and gold or Packer green and gold?  And Matt LeFluer  also has won more games in three years in GB than anyone else in the NFL.  These are legit problems.  Who wouldn't want to play for Mike Tomlin? 

Jimmy Garoppolo is a possibility, but he will be plenty expensive.  Why San Fran wants him out of town is still a mystery to me. They drafted that young QB, and they want him to play next year, but they have a guy who has taken them to the Superbowl and almost a second.  Strange, but hey.  JG is hurt a lot that's a fact, but his price could set the Browns back a decade if they get it wrong, and you still have to trade Baker.  But again, JG could feel way more at home with the Steelers great defense and that darn Mike Tomlin!

Then there's this -  that could probably be worked out the easiest.  It's a gamble, but it could be long range.  IF THEY ARE DETERMINED to trade Baker, the Atlanta Falcons are the logical choice.  You send Baker there with some draft picks and get veteran Matt Ryan. I know, he's older, he's a sharp veteran and has a few years left and taken the Falcons to the Superbowl.  You draft a college QB you like and attempt to groom him in the couple years you have a real pro like Ryan.  Long term plan, short term plan, and the Baker thing solved.  Do I like this?  Well, NO not really, but if they are hell bent on trading Baker, this is not a horrible plan. Oh, and we need to hope that darn Mike Tomlin and the Steelers, Packers, Raiders, Panthers, and a few other teams, like possibly the Bucs, don't have the same idea.  (If Brady retires and it's warm in Tampa)

So, yes this is a problem that to me the Browns seem to be creating for themselves. Change for change sake in the NFL not always the best.  I say go with what you got and hope 2020 recreates itself with Baker in 2022.  If he and the team stay healthy they can absolutley compete with anyone.  You can't worry about Mahomes, Allen, Burrow, Jackson and all the other studs QB's out there. You have what you have, so get healthy, call better plays, get a better scheme , run the ball, lace 'em up tight and let's go!

But in all honesty you do have to worry about that darn Mike Tomlin.  In a city that in many ways mirrors our own in it's geography, size, weather, stadium, game times, and fan base, he's a problem for the Browns.  He is the pilot of the best run professional sports franchise in the country.  (And we are not).  And he will play a part in any QB's decision on where he may want to go if the Steelers are gonna jump in and get it going.

Go Browns - and someone keep an eye on that Darn Mike Tomlin!!