Wednesday a much anticipated trade finally went down in the NFL as the Cleveland Browns traded disgruntled quarterback Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers for a conditional 4th round pick. The #1 overall pick had lost his job after the team had traded for Deshaun Watson. Even with Watson’s status being up in the air for the upcoming season, the Browns still elected to sell low on Baker and send him packing. And the Eagles were wise to not bid even though the price was so low.
I am admittedly NOT a Jalen Hurts guy. I think he has EVERY intangible you want in a quarterback except the talent part. Its not that I dont think Jalen Hurts works to be the guy, I just think he is incapable of that. WITH THAT SAID; I am wrong all the time. I am not an NFL scout, or a GM. And I want to know at the end of this season whether or not I was right or wrong. And trading for Baker Mayfield doesnt do that.
I think Baker Mayfield is better, at this point, than Jalen Hurts. I think there is a lot of revisionist history with Mayfield because last season he didnt play well, but he was also playing injured. But Jalen Hurts has that “P” word that is so intriguing; “Potential.” And because of that I am so glad that Howie Roseman didnt take the NFL’s version of a discount rack item.
By making this move Carolina probably got better. But they also gave themselves a quarterback controversy. After trading for former 3rd overall pick Sam Darnold the Panthers seemingly decided to punt on him being their future by trading for Mayfield. But at the first sign of trouble the fan base, and likely some members of the team, will be looking at Darnold sitting on the sideline. That is a problem I dont want for the Eagles.
The reality is, at the first sign of trouble from Hurts there will be some fans who want to see Gardner Minshew. So could you imagine if the Eagles had Baker Mayfield sitting on the roster? Jalen Hurts’ first 3 and out would result in cries for Baker.
I want to know by the end of the season if Hurts can prove me wrong. I want Hurts, and the Eagles, to leave no doubt. The Eagles have surrounded him with the best Eagles offense in a LONG time. If he stays healthy, we will have our answer at the end of the season. But with Baker Mayfield breathing down his neck, that might not be possible. So thank you Howie for not trading for Mayfield. Now Jalen just has to go out and prove me wrong!