The Cleveland Browns have every intention of entering the 2020 NFL season with former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield under center. But the Browns also added quality depth at the position by signing Case Keenum to a three-year deal.
Keenum had a losing record in each of his past two seasons with the Washington Redskins and Denver Broncos, but he also went 11-3 as the starter for the Minnesota Vikings in 2017.
In fact, former Pro Bowl quarterback Jake Delhomme hinted at the possibility Keenum might unseat Mayfield as the Browns' starter during an appearance on The Zach Gelb Show:
“They need better quarterback play in Cleveland,” Delhomme told The Zach Gelb Show on CBS Sports Radio. “There’s just no other way of saying it.
“They have a lot of talent on that football team. Certainly we know the two wideouts, and then signing (Austin) Hooper to go with (David) Njoku)…They’re a very talented, talented football team. So, better quarterback play, you’ll see better results.”
Mayfield struggled to build on his tremendous rookie season with the Browns in 2020. He completed under 60 percent of his passes and threw 21 interceptions, and his quarterback rating fell by nearly 15 points.
However, Mayfield was also the victim of a fairly inept offensive line that conceded 40 sacks. The Browns have since upgraded that line by signing the likes of offensive tackle Jack Conklin, and they figure to add more pieces through the NFL Draft.
Cleveland figures to give Mayfield every opportunity to succeed with a revamped roster. But if he gets off to a slow start, it is possible the Browns turn to the veteran Keenum to try to get things back on track.
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