Jimmy Garoppolo's walk off the field in SoFi Stadium was his last dance in a 49ers uniform. (USA Today)
Browns QB Sports Book: Exit from NFC playoffs lowers odds, and possibly price, of Jimmy G
You must have an active subscription to read this story.
Click Here to subscribe Now!
Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Our Quarterback Sports Book, sponsored by the Fabulous Rizzo Casino & Resort, will set the odds each week on who will be the Browns’ starting quarterback in 2022.
Like any sports book, the odds may change from week to week. The contenders, too, may change as quarterbacks become available or unavailable.
Our second book contains a new name, but it’s not Tom Brady, who officially announced his retirement on Tuesday.
On to the odds board.
1. Baker Mayfield. Odds: Plus-150 ($100 bet returns $150).
Although recent surgery on his left shoulder does not preclude him from using his right hand, Mayfield is currently in self-imposed social media exile “for the foreseeable future.” The good news is Mayfield thoughtfully left a contact for future marketing inquiries.
2. Mitchell Trubisky. Plus-300.
The biggest mover from Week 1, rising from No. 5 at plus-750. Signing the Mentor, OH native would be the least costly move for a veteran, and the most conservative. This transaction achieves the dual purpose of hedging on a possible return to glory of Mayfield at the start of the season while doing something to improve the position. Trubisky would have his Ryan Tannehill opportunity if Mayfield reverts to sailing throws and fourth-down sacks.
3. Kirk Cousins. Plus-400.
Analytics maven-turned-GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is choosing between Patrick Graham and Jim Harbaugh as head coach. Then he will crunch the numbers to explain why a Cousins trade has more value than extending his ungodly contract. A fantasy leaguer’s delight, Cousins’ career numbers – and familiarity with Kevin Stefanski’s offense -- are an easier sell for the Browns than doing nothing. But the price-tags for trade and new contract have to be right.
4. Jimmy Garoppolo. Plus-500.
His belly-flop in the NFC Championship Game may actually lower his trade price into affordability range. Imminent surgery on his right (throwing) thumb puts Garoppolo on the mend through the start of the trade season. Beneath all of his warts, Garoppolo remains an ideal fit in Stefanski’s offense – more so than Cousins because of his winning, leadership mentality forged as an understudy to Brady with New England.
5. Derek Carr. Plus-600.
While it’s assumed that Carr will be retained by the new management duo of GM Dave Ziegler and coach Josh McDaniels, I wouldn’t lay money yet in Las Vegas or on our sports book. While not citing Carr’s two winning seasons in eight with the Raiders, or his overall record of 57-71, McDaniels professed the Raiders have “the capacity and capability of winning” with Carr. Ziegler was even more tepid when he commented, “You have to see how everything fits together” before deciding if Carr receives a new contract. Actually, Carr seems a much better fit with Bruce Arians in Tampa.
6. Marcus Mariota. Plus-1000.
Exiled as a gadget alternative to Carr with the Raiders the past two years, his contract is up and the cost to acquire is only cash. Like Trubisky, he’s looking for a change of scenery and a Tannehill rebirth in the right system. Ironically, Tannehill emerged in Tennessee at Mariota’s expense. Mariota’s 29-32 record in 4 ½ seasons as Titans starter is not as impressive as Trubisky’s 29-23 in four years with the Bears. Plus, there’s no record of Browns interest in him, as there is with Trubisky.
7. Matt Ryan. Plus-1500.
Too old and dome-spoiled? Think again. A warrior of 14 seasons in Atlanta, he’s a “young” 36 who shows no signs of over-the-hillism. As far as playing home games entirely in domes, yes, his W-L record is better indoors (60-32) than outdoors (43-39), but that’s because the bulk of them have been in friendly confines. His other meaningful stats are remarkably comparable. Indoors: 157 TDs, 71 INTs, 97.3 passer rating. Outdoors: 133 TDs, 58 INTs, 92.4 rating. Only one problem: Falcons coach Arthur Smith wants to keep him, despite salary cap numbers of $48.6 million and $43.6 million the next two years.
8. Deshaun Watson. Plus-1500.
His 20+ civil lawsuits are expected to be resolved, coincidentally, by the time the trading season kicks off next month. Still, three No. 1s in trade cost seems unrealistic for a Browns franchise that could have taken him merely by turning in the card at 12th overall in the 2017 draft.
9. Rookie draft pick. Plus-2000.
Sightings of personnel execs Andrew Berry and Glen Cook at the Senior Bowl will spur hype about the Browns eyeing the quarterbacks on hand. But it’s imperative the Browns use the No. 13 overall pick on a strapping wide receiver, and I think they know that. More likely is a later pick on a developmental quarterback, which would assure Mayfield of his job through 2022. This is the least expensive method of addressing the quarterback position.
10. Aaron Rodgers. Plus-2200.
The hiring of ex-Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett in Denver almost knocked Rodgers off our sports book. Although Rodgers’ fate in Green Bay hasn’t been decided, the prohibitive favorite to trade for him easily is the Broncos.
11. Russell Wilson. Plus-2500.
If the Seahawks’ iconic great forces a trade out of Seattle, the Giants figure a more likely destination than the Browns.
