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Baker Mayfield and Derek Carr are at similar points in their careers. Neither quarterback has the complete backing of their respective organization. The Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders are both teams that are more pretenders than contenders in a loaded AFC.
With both players at a crossroads in their careers, there's a solution that benefits all parties. Mayfield and Carr should swap teams.
There are many factors as to why this trade would make sense for both teams. From both coaching staffs, to the quarterbacks' respective skillsets, to reports from insiders, this is a move that has more working in favor of it than meets the eye.
Why Baker Mayfield and Derek Carr should swap teams
The hypothesis of Mayfield being swapped for Carr is one derived from Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot's report Wednesday that the Raiders quarterback was on Cleveland's radar.
The Browns have been non-committal to Baker Mayfield getting the chance to play out his fifth-year option. Carr will also be in the final year of his contract this year. The Raiders have been non-committal to Carr's long-term future since 2018.
If neither team wants to pay their current quarterback next offseason, why not try something new now?
The reasoning for Baker Mayfield and Carr switching teams goes beyond money. Mayfield was a gunslinger in college, averaging 9.8 yards per attempt. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski's offense is designed for the quarterback to throw to his first or second read every play and throw shorter passes overall.
Stefanski's scheme hasn't been a proper fit for Baker Mayfield. The Raiders figure used to be more of a gunslinging offense under head coach Josh McDaniels.
The Raiders have Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow to complement Mayfield's skillset. In addition, Mary Kay Cabot reported in 2020 that McDaniels was highly impressed with Mayfield coming out of college. The two have a history if McDaniels wants a fresh start to his regime at quarterback.
There are legitimate reasons to believe Carr would fit schematically with the Browns. One of the biggest knocks from analysts on Carr is that he's too conservative. Stefanski favors shorter passes in his offense. Carr's 7.1 career yards per attempt fit the bill.
The Browns' offensive line is better than the Raiders' offensive line. Between that and throwing the ball quicker, Carr would be better protected at age 31 than with the Raiders.
Having Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt as safety nets at running back certainly doesn't hurt either.
Finally, the Browns have aquired Carr's former teammate, Amari Cooper. Their connection wasn't flawless when they were teammates, but the two showed flashes of chemistry. Both players have grown tremendously as players since being split up in 2018.
The Raiders and Browns are in two of the most competitive divisions in the NFL. Both divisions have star quarterbacks galore. Quarterback swaps are rare and unconventional, but neither team has a lot to lose by making this deal.
