The NFL trade deadline is an exciting time of the year. While it rarely has a flurry of trades like the NBA and MLB deadlines do, the conversation around it is always exciting.
Generally, teams fall into two categories: Buyers and sellers. For each, the deadline provides hope to their fanbase. For the buyers, like the Los Angeles Rams trade for Von Miller, it is hoped that their Super Bowl chances increase because of a deal. For the sellers, it is hoped that their future chances of being competitive have increased.
For the Cleveland Browns, and their fans, his trade deadline fines them somewhere in between. The team has not performed well enough for them to go all-in like the Rams but their roster is built to compete now with selling off parts making little sense as well.
With all the injuries and all the inconsistencies, Cleveland may look to improve their roster through a trade by Tuesday. Even if they do, there is not one realistic trade that could change their season outcome.
Getting a few quarterback names out of the way quickly, Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson would cost a fortune of future picks and current young players to acquire. While Watson is known to be available, his possible legal troubles make him an unrealistic risk. Wilson has not returned from thumb surgery yet is unlikely to be available during the season.
Beyond those two, there is no other quarterback who could change the course of the season not named Baker Mayfield. If 2020 (or even 2018) Mayfield comes back, the 2021 season could end up meeting expectations. For now, Mayfield’s best is as a good quarterback. At his worst, Mayfield hurts the team.
Any other realistic trade could create interest and buzz but is highly unlikely to change the course of the 2021 season. Even Von Miller, who could be the best player traded by the deadline, would have had a limited impact.
The biggest impact for a team that struggled in an inexcusable loss on Halloween and may have taken the wrong approach in the offseason is to right the ship internally. The talent is on the roster but it isn’t playing up to their talent level. The coaching staff has shown an ability to call a good game at times but are not consistent.
A trade deadline deal could be interesting and fun but nothing matters unless the Browns cures what ills them from the inside out.