The tireless “end of an era” takes have commandeered headlines across the NFL in the aftermath of the seemingly invincible New England Patriots dropping a home playoff loss to the Tennessee Titans. While the rest of the sports world giddily throws their clump of dirt on the grave of the greatest dynasty in NFL history, the hapless Cleveland Browns could be lurking around the corner, waiting and watching to see what comes next.
Does a hand come plunging from the dirt to signal new life in the dusty bones of the Patriots organization? Or, does that massive mound remain an unbothered memory of a time when reality took impossible’s hand and danced all the way to six Super Bowl victories in a 20-year span.
The sanity of the Browns desperately depends on the latter.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady could be looking for greener pastures as a 42-year-old free agent, and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels could be looking to fill a head coaching vacancy in 2020. Now that Freddie is finally out of the kitchen (pun intended) and Baker Mayfield is going backwards in his development cycle, the Browns are in a clear position to double-dip in the Brady and McDaniels sweepstakes.
The original Browns organization fired Bill Belichick from his head coaching post ahead of the team’s move to Baltimore back in 1996. Only fate would put them in a position to come full-circle by hiring Belichick’s prized pupil and greatest draft revelation. Rarely have the football gods smiled on the Browns to this extent.
McDaniels coming along with Brady and implementing his offensive system in Cleveland would make the seismic move an easier transition. Just think of the embarrassment of offensive riches the future Hall of Fame quarterback would have at his disposal: Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, a healthy David Njoku and Nick Chubb. Brady spearheading the offense with a returning Myles Garrett to lead the burgeoning defense would instantly take the team from pretenders to contenders.
Mayfield won’t like the idea of going back to the bench, but he’s a strong enough competitor to be humbled by it. The opportunity to sit and learn behind Brady would be invaluable, along with a chance to digest the newly-implemented offensive concepts. McDaniels would essentially have Brady to compete in the present, while also being gifted a former No. 1 overall draft pick to mold as a replacement. There isn’t a team in the league that could offer a better situation.
Mayfield could certainly use a breather from the spotlight considering he looked more like Jameis Winston than a future franchise quarterback in 2019. That comparison might even be considered an insult to Winston, who threw for 1,282 more yards and 11 more touchdowns in a year where the Browns quarterback finished with 3,827 yards, 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.
Things had regressed in Cleveland to the point where Beckham and Landry were reportedly telling other teams to trade for them. That isn’t a request receivers would be making if they had faith in their starting quarterback.
Mayfield doesn’t have to leave the kitchen, but he does need to give up his apron.
There is an elevated level of respect that comes from being a six-time Super Bowl champion as opposed to being a Heisman Trophy winner with a 12-17 NFL record. Mayfield might still be Mr. Right for the Browns, even if he isn’t Mr. Right Now.
Brady’s level-headed leadership and championship pedigree would nix the churlish antics that helped turn the team into the biggest letdown in 2019. It would also give him a legitimate shot at competing without being forced to carry a sputtering offense in the twilight of his career. Belichick saying it takes “two teams to trade” ahead of the trade deadline back in October means there’s no certainty the Patriots will be able to acquire the necessary offensive weapons for next season, either.
Antonio Brown torched his bridge in New England, twice. So any hope of a reunion is probably a pipe dream. N’Keal Harry is too early in his career to start the draft bust talk, but the thought is bursting at the seams after an ugly end to his rookie campaign. Phillip Dorsett could win a track meet, but he isn’t beating one-on-one coverage. The jury is still out on Jakobi Meyers. Mohamed Sanu was obviously mistaken for Emmanuel Sanders in a mid-season trade. And Julian Edelman is too beat up and turning 34 years old next season.
Couple those issues with the fact that there’s still no legitimate replacement for tight end Rob Gronkowski and simply being comfortable might not be enough of a reason for Brady to stay.
There is also the Belichick factor. The competitive spirits pumping beneath the surface of the Patriots head coach and Brady would love an opportunity to win solo. What better proving point for Brady than helping turn the team with the league’s longest postseason drought into a Super Bowl contender?
Beckham has openly admitted playing for the Patriots has been his dream. If the Browns can’t send him to Brady, then maybe they can bring Brady and McDaniels to him. It would be a power stroke move that would change the face of the Browns organization forever.
Beckham, Landry, Njoku and Chubb—never has a Brady Bunch looked so frightening.