Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns (Photo by Erick Drost via Wikimedia).
Now that the dust has settled after the Russell Wilson deal, it’s time to look ahead. The Seattle Seahawks have addressed a few needs via free agency, but one key position remains unaddressed: Quarterback. As options continue to fly off the board, the Seahawks continue to move forward with seemingly no plan.
Drew Lock, who arrived from Denver in the Wilson deal, demonstrated that he isn’t a starting-caliber NFL quarterback. On a team that had weapons and needed him to succeed, Lock fell on his face twice. I’m not expecting the third time to be the charm in Seattle.
The other guy on the Seahawks roster is Jacob Eason. The only teams Eason should be starting for are in Saskatchewan or Calgary. He is not now, nor is he ever going to become, an even mediocre quarterback.
I expected Pete Carroll and John Schneider to bring in an efficient caretaker who would avoid mistakes. Tyrod Taylor and Teddy Bridgewater ended up in New York and Miami, respectively. The Mitchell Trubisky revival tour is now in Pittsburgh, and suddenly Seattle is left talking about bringing back Geno Smith to start next season. 12s know how well that went last time Smith led the Seahawks’ offense.
However, an interesting option just became available thanks to Deshaun Watson’s “Decision 2.0” this week. When the music stopped playing former number one overall draft pick (2018), Baker Mayfield found himself as the contestant left standing.
The Cleveland Browns have to move Mayfield with Watson coming to town. And they have little to no leverage to make it happen. I’m here to say Seattle should jump in and give Mayfield a shot.
He’s had an inconsistent first few seasons but has shown the potential to be an above-average starter. He led a moribund Browns franchise to the postseason and a playoff win two seasons ago.
Mayfield has been a big part of changing the Browns’ direction. Last season was a regression statistically. But he also played the entire season with one arm and compromised legs. Rather than go on injured reserve and collect a check, Mayfield went out and played every week. That says something about his competitiveness and commitment to his team.
This is the last year of Mayfield’s rookie deal which makes him the perfect candidate for a look by Seattle. If he plays well, the Seahawks can resign or franchise tag him. Or if he’s not the answer, they let him walk in free agency.
The 2017 Heisman Trophy winner has a better track record than any remaining NFL free agent or trade options. He also has a higher floor and ceiling than anyone in the draft. Mayfield is young enough to think he can get better and has shown enough to feel confident he can be successful.
The question becomes compensation. What should the Seattle Seahawks be willing to deal for Baker Mayfield? While Cleveland has to move him, if more than one or two teams get involved, it may drive up the price. Other than Seattle, the teams that need a quarterback are Carolina, New Orleans, and Indianapolis.
Right now, it’s unknown if any of them have an interest in Mayfield. My guess is Indianapolis might, but the other two might prefer to draft someone. The Colts were already burned by dealing for Carson Wentz last year and may not be inclined to give up much.
If Seattle offers a third round pick in this year’s draft and a 2023 third that could become a second based on playing time next year, it should be enough for Cleveland to pull the trigger on a deal. If the Seahawks have to make this year’s pick a second rounder, they have two and could afford to take the hit.
Mayfield is a play-action quarterback with some mobility and could excel in the Seattle Seahawks offense. He’s not going to be Wilson, but few guys are on RW3’s level. If Mayfield builds on his 2020 season, Seattle will pull off a huge win.
Baker Mayfield probably isn’t going to be an MVP candidate or an All-Pro. That’s ok, there are only a few of those guys, and NFL teams typically don’t replace one with another. What he can be is an above-average quarterback who runs the offense efficiently.
There’s no reason to think he can’t be a rich man’s Jimmy G. In five seasons, Garapollo took San Francisco to two NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl, places Russ hadn’t come close to, in the same time frame. Come on Pete and John, give Mayfield a shot and the Seahawks a chance to win this season.
What do you think about the Seattle Seahawks trying to trade for Baker Mayfield? Let us know in the comments section below.