Baker Mayfield is the Seahawks’ “best choice,” according to an NFL executive, and there’s more
In a wide-open NFC, the Seattle Seahawks and Baker Mayfield could be a perfect combination. Plus, takeaways from the NFL owners’ meetings, a response to the new overtime rule, and much more.
When the Seahawks traded Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos earlier this month, it was assumed that they were embarking on a full-fledged rebuild, but if Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider are serious about contending in the post-Wilson era, all it might take is a phone call.
On the condition of anonymity to speak openly about other teams, an NFC personnel executive tells FanSided, “There’s no doubt that Baker Mayfield is Seattle’s best choice.” “He’s only 26 years old,” says the narrator.
Does he have a strong personality? Is he a conceited individual? Yes, it’s larger than life, and that’s fine. Pete Carroll will be able to handle it. That’s his strong suit. “
Even after acquiring underachieving former second-round selection Drew Lock in the Wilson deal, Seattle fits the profile of a team that could be interested in Mayfield. With $15 million in cap room, Mayfield could team up with receivers D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and emerging tight end Noah Fant to help the Browns revive their playoff prospects in a wide-open NFC.
There’s no going back for Mayfield in Cleveland.
Not after he wrote a message to the fans thanking them for their support after he was selected No. 1 overall in 2018, and certainly not after the Browns acquired Deshaun Watson and guaranteed him $230 million over the next five seasons.
The market has practically dried up for the Browns. In the strangest game of offseason quarterback musical chairs we’ve seen in recent memory, only three seats remain available.
The Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons are both well-positioned to make a push for top quarterback prospects Malik Willis and Kenny Pickett in next month’s draft. As a result, Seattle may be the only team in the Baker Mayfield market that is actually desperate for a quarterback.
Despite the disappointment of last season and the damage to his non-throwing shoulder, Mayfield still has a lot of potential.
Mayfield has averaged 3,531 yards per season with 23 touchdowns and 14 interceptions over his first 60 games.
Should Mayfield, who helped Cleveland end an 18-year playoff drought, land with Seattle’s supporting cast, his greatest days may still be ahead of him.
The executive declares, “I’m a fan of his.” “I believe he will be a good player.” Baker, wherever he ends up, has a chance to win Comeback Player of the Year. He went to Pittsburgh two years ago and won a playoff game, almost defeating Kansas City in the divisional round, and that was only two years ago. Guys aren’t born bad. “
Mayfield has a reputation for being brash, according to fans and certain members of the media. even arrogant. Teammates, on the other hand, genuinely enjoy playing for him; they occasionally laugh at his ads in which he lives inside FirstEnergy Stadium, but they genuinely enjoy playing for him.
However, when it comes to on-field scenarios and getting the most out of a feisty guy like Mayfield, Carroll and the program he’s developed in Seattle may be the best option.
The CEO claims, “They brought in Marshawn Lynch, who was a wild dude, and they calmed his ass down.” “This is the atmosphere in that building.” Pete is his name. He motivates men to do their tasks. “Burke has more talent than anyone else out there, and I’d pick him over anyone else in a heartbeat.
If Carroll agrees with the executive’s assessment and the Seahawks see Mayfield as a necessary upgrade over Lock, there may be several roadblocks for both parties to overcome before Mayfield can back the Uhaul truck up to Lumen Field.
Any deal would almost certainly require the Browns to agree to eat some of Mayfield’s remaining $18.9 million in 2022, but Cleveland has little leverage.
The executive speculates, “I could see Baker getting moved on selection night.” If both quarterbacks are gone, they don’t have to give up anything, and they end up with the quarterback they want. It might be a win-win situation for Cleveland if they get any major compensation for the situation they placed themselves in.”
Former NFL Executive of the Year Randy Mueller tells FanSided, “There’s been some talk that Cleveland would need to give a choice along with Baker in any transaction.” “Especially in order for Seattle to bear the cost of the cap increase.”I believe it all boils down to Cleveland’s willingness to pay his salary.”
“The Browns could certainly receive a late-day-three pick for Baker from a team like the Seahawks if they pay enough.”
Mayfield wasn’t exactly put in a position to succeed with the Browns.
Sure, the Browns had one of the best rushing backs in the league the previous two seasons in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, and the receiver combo of Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. was one of the most electric in the league. Mayfield, on the other hand, has already gone through four different head coaches and three different offensive schemes.
Mayfield could use some stability in Seattle, as well as a lot of weapons.
According to the executive, “being around Pete Carroll would teach Baker how to be a pro’s pro.” It’s been a whirlwind in Cleveland with all the changes in head coaches and coordinators. That’s a difficult task. This would be a new beginning.
The most important lessons from the NFL’s annual meeting
The most tangible news to come out of the NFL’s annual meeting in Palm Beach, Fla. this week was changes to the overtime rule in the playoffs (more on that below—Final Thought), but coaches and general managers from throughout the league revealed some fascinating insight into the status of their clubs.
- The Rams’ odds of repeating are considerably boosted by Aaron Donald’s comeback.
Following the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bengals last month, there was speculation that Aaron Donald may retire after applying the pressure that caused Joe Burrow’s final pass to fall incomplete and the confetti to whirl. Not only does it appear that Donald will return to the NFL for a ninth season, but the Rams are also in talks with him about a contract extension that would make him one of the highest-paid players in the game.
According to Pro Football Network, McVay stated, “Well, it’s a tremendous focus for us.”
“Odell Beckham Jr. and Von Miller are luxuries,” one executive recently told FanSided, “but maintaining Donald is the Rams’ #1 goal.”
Los Angeles appears to have a good chance of keeping Donald for a long time. And in a conference where only seven quarterbacks have made the playoffs, the Rams will be difficult to beat as long as Donald is creating havoc.
- Patriots’ tough battle, according to Bob Kraft
The Patriots haven’t won a playoff game in three seasons, according to Robert Kraft, who told reporters at The Breakers that it “bothers him.”
The Patriots’ path back to the top of the AFC may have never been more difficult.
Not only will the Patriots, with Mac Jones at quarterback, have to beat one of Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Patrick Mahomes, or Russell Wilson to win their first postseason game since losing to the Chiefs in the 2019 AFC Championship Game, but the road within the division has also become more difficult for New England.
Buffalo has one of the most talented teams in the NFL, anchored by Allen at quarterback. According to Pro Football Focus’ Index, the Dolphins have added playmakers this offseason, and all three of the Patriots’ division opponents have improved this offseason, according to Pro Football Focus. markedly.
Updated @PFF offseason Improvement Index for the Dolphins signing Terron Armstead and trading for Tyreek Hill. Dolphins now in the top-4https://t.co/bKefi6Q84y pic.twitter.com/Q5ik9UVTjU
— Kevin Cole (@KevinColePFF) March 23, 2022
It’s impossible to see the Patriots breaking their postseason skid anytime soon unless Jones makes significant progress in his second season.
- Is Deshaun Watson on the verge of being suspended?
Because two grand juries found insufficient evidence to charge Deshaun Watson criminally in the wake of 22 credible allegations of sexual assault and harassment, Roger Goodell informed reporters Tuesday that the league has no intention of using the commissioner’s exempt list in any disciplinary action against him.
The league and the NFLPA agreed to use the exempt list in the event of criminal investigations into players, but it doesn’t mean Watson isn’t facing a ban.
According to some sources, Watson, the new Browns quarterback, is facing 22 pending civil cases stemming from the allegations against him. Watson may be suspended for up to 12 weeks. Following rape claims against the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger was suspended for six games in 2010. NFL rules about personal conduct may lead to Watson being suspended for similar or longer amounts of time.
Quotable
“As far as exact ways we’ll use Tyreek Hill relative to the way Deebo Samuel was used in San Francisco, there’s probably going to be some overlap to some degree on San Francisco.”
– Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel on how he plans to use Tyreek Hill, via the Palm Beach Post
The Miami Dolphins acquired Tyreek Hill in a blockbuster trade with the Kansas City Chiefs last week, continuing the NFL’s wide receiver spending frenzy. Many in the league considered Hill to be a top-five position player.
For a variety of reasons, Hill’s approach is a perfect fit for the Dolphins. Especially since Tua Tagovailoa only averaged 6.8 air yards per attempt and the quick wideout who recently joined Miami’s system averaged four yards after the catch per reception and is one of the league’s most devastating weapons after the catch.
But what makes Miami a perfect landing site for Hill and a tailor-made weapon for the Dolphins’ scheme is that he becomes a Swiss Army knife in McDaniel’s system and can be used in a variety of ways, including in the same way that the 49ers’ Deebo Samuel has been deployed.
Last season, Samuel averaged 6.2 yards per carry and a remarkable 10.2 yards after the catch per reception.
McDaniel and the Dolphins would gladly accept Hill’s similar output in a similar capacity.
Hill’s 28-year-old took a handoff out of the shotgun, threw a pass off a handoff, broke a short run off an end-around, as if stretching the field opposite Jaylen Waddle or running a shallow crosser with tight end Mike Gesicki wasn’t difficult enough for the defense to defend.
Hill is a versatile player who lands in South Beach with McDaniel as the right coach to use him to create mismatches in a variety of ways.
Last but not least
The NFL [finally] got its overtime rule correct.
Tuesday during the annual league meeting in Palm Beach, Fla., owners approved the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts’ joint proposal to award both team a possession in overtime … In the postseason.
The new rule creates a fairer overtime structure in the postseason, where each team has the opportunity in a league that is now tilted significantly in favor of the defense to possess the ball and try to score, while also not adding to the amount of snaps played during the regular season which could create added injury risk.
It sure feels like the NFL threaded the needle here.
Don’t just take my word for it …
“I like the new rule a lot,” an NFC West player tells FanSided. “But, the rule that proposed that the second team to score has to go for two to make sure the game doesn’t drag on and more snaps get tacked onto the game would have been even better.”
There might be one loophole that could come into play, however, that the NFL may not have accounted for.
Since there’s no real reason to extend the game any longer than necessary in the regular season, and the NFL now has adjusted to give both teams equal chances of winning in the postseason, what happens in, say, Week 18 if a game is tied that carries significant postseason implications for either team?
It would seem unlikely, but there’s a chance sometime in the future a team will have lost on the first possession of overtime in Week 18 that costs them a playoff berth, and maybe then the rule will need to be examined again.
But, in the meantime, detractors to changing the overtime at all will argue that if a team would only make a stop on defense that they would have just as much of a chance to win the game, if not a better one, under the old system, that’s more of a straw man argument that doesn’t hold up against current trends.
For far too long, overtime games have been decided by the coin toss winner. Over the past 12 games that went to overtime in the past decade, the team that won the toss were 10-2 and seven of them won it on the opening possession of the extra frame. Additionally, offenses have scored touchdowns on their opening possession twice in the past four years.
This is why only one team in the past 36 years has won the overtime coin toss and elected to play defense, rather than send its offense out on the field.
Moreover, though, this isn’t a rule that is going to drastically change the postseason or impact the vast majority of games.
Since the 1965 season, only 32 playoff games have gone to overtime.
Now, those games that get to the extra frame beginning this postseason will put far less weight on whether a coin lands heads or tails up, and far more on what actually happens between the lines. On both sides of the ball.
