Mitchell Tribusky's 29-23 record with the Chicago Bears looks better as it ages.
Browns QB Sports Book: Mitchell Trubisky, Kirk Cousins narrow the gap on Baker Mayfield
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.
Odds on the Fabulous Rizzo Casino & Resort Browns Quarterback Sports Book are affected each week by a variety of factors, big and small.
A coach’s hiring. An on-the-record comment. A rumor. A sighting of a player in an unfamiliar state. A home sale listing. Any one of these can cause our odds to change.
On this week’s sports book, there are no new names. But the order has changed and, for the first time, the odds on Baker Mayfield to return as Browns starting quarterback increased slightly.
1. Baker Mayfield. Odds: Plus-160 ($100 bet returns $160).
Self-quarantined from social media, we have no idea what Mayfield thinks of several teammates professing love and loyalty to Mayfield-nemesis Odell Beckham Jr. More important is what Andrew Berry thinks of it.
2. Mitchell Trubisky. Plus-250.
Rampant speculation was that new Giants head coach Brian Daboll would lobby to sign the Bills free agent as competition for starter Daniel Jones. The fact the Giants signed Davis Webb to a futures contract doesn’t eliminate a Trubisky signing, too, but it increased action on Trubisky as a Browns hopeful.
3. Kirk Cousins. Plus-400.
New Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was Cousins’ quarterback coach his last season in Washington. That familiarity increased sentiment that the Vikings would keep Cousins. They might do that, but they also are said to be open to listening to offers.
4. Jimmy Garoppolo. Plus-500.
He’s the perfect fit for Kevin Stefanski’s system, a proven winner, and would not be as costly as originally thought. His injury history, however, prompted his demise with the 49ers, and might be a hurdle the Browns are unwilling to risk.
5. Rookie draft pick. Plus-600.
The biggest mover, up four notches from No. 9. A second-round flier on, say, Desmond Ridder of Cincinnati, would be an inexpensive way of addressing the quarterback position and training a competitor for the job in 2023.
6. Derek Carr. Plus-700.
He dropped down a spot and his odds increased. But the key thing to note is Carr’s fate will be determined by new GM Dave Ziegler – not head coach Josh McDaniels – and Ziegler may see an opportunity to collect draft picks to address other needs.
7. Marcus Mariota. Plus-1000.
Maybe he elevates to Raiders starter for a year while the Raiders pursue their quarterback of the future. If set free, he would offer an alternative to Trubisky as an inexpensive fallback to compete with Mayfield.
8. Matt Ryan. Plus-2000.
He’d be a more serious contender in 2023, when dead money charges are $25 million less for the Falcons. Of course, he’ll be 38 then.
9. Aaron Rodgers. Plus-2100.
Spotted at a girls’ youth basketball game in Columbus attracted some betting action and lowered his odds slightly. It turned out he was there to support friend A.J. Hawk, the team’s coach. Meanwhile, speculation increased that the Packers favor trading Rodgers to unlock a salary cap logjam.
10. Deshaun Watson. Plus-2500.
If anyone knows what the Houston Texans are doing, call 1-800-DYSFUNCTION. On a side note, new Miami head coach Mike McDaniel’s private-made-public commitment to Tua Tagovailoa likely took the Dolphins out of the small field eyeing Watson.
11. Russell Wilson. Plus-2500.
A brief conversation with Washington defensive end Jonathan Allen during coverage of the Pro Bowl sparked the overreaction in Washington that Wilson would be willing to be traded to the newly-named Commanders. If true, it may reduce Washington’s interest in Garoppolo.
