Browns Shouldn't Downplay Case Keenum's Starter Potential if Baker Mayfield's Struggles Continue

The Cleveland Browns were one of the stars of a relentless NFL news cycle on the start of the league's legal tampering period on Monday.

The busy day was undoubtedly highlighted by the team landing star tight end Austin Hooper and coveted offensive lineman Jack Conklin. Cleveland also landed veteran quarterback Case Keenum in a sneaky good move that slipped well under the radar.

If you ask us, the Browns shouldn't be quick to disregard Keenum's potential as a starter if Baker Mayfield continues to struggle in 2020.

Despite having dynamic offensive weapons to work with -- including wideouts Odell Beckham Jr and Jarvis Landry and tailbacks Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt -- Mayfield was a fundamental disaster in 2019.

After today's slew of transactions, the 24-year-old is out of excuses. There's no Freddie Kitchens to blame anymore. Anything short of Mayfield performing up to his No. 1 overall pick billing next season should see him benched for Keenum.

The Browns are too talented to be hamstrung by a QB that completes less than 60% of his passes and narrowly avoids throwing the same number of touchdowns as interceptions. For context, Baker tossed 22 scores and and 21 picks last season.

That's a wildly scorching and premature take from ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky.

Mayfield could very well go on to prove the doubters wrong (enter Colin Cowherd). But Keenum's track record deserves to be acknowledged here. Let's not forget he led a similarly-talented Minnesota Vikings team to an 11-3 record in the regular season in 2017 and took them to the NFC Championship Game. His bond with now-Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski should be highlighted, as well.

This won't be a QB competition in training camp, but if Baker struggles, Keenum is more than ready to step in.