Read an article saying Baker needs to take a pay cut to expedite his trade out of Cleveland. Fuck that, I’d take my fully garunteed 18 Mil and sit on the bench all year sticking it to Cleveland ownership. It’s not like the Panthers or Seahawks are begging him to come play. They want him on the cheap to fill a hole while they wait to draft his replacement. Take the money Baker, never play a down, and continue to allow the Browns to be the Browns .
Yeah the only argument for him doing that is whether or not his value to the market is higher now, or next year. In my eyes, it's clearly next year, which is why I'd agree with your take. Don't move an inch, force the Browns to either play you when Watson gets suspended, or sit the bench and collect a fat paycheck. And make sure you let the media know how great of a teammate you've been, supportive, etc.
I look around the league right now, and there's a bunch of teams that would seemingly have obvious lack of long-term stability at QB heading into 2023:
Dolphins: if Tua can't get it done this year, I imagine they'll be out on him, or bring in competition
Jets: maybe same with Wilson, though he probably has a longer leash than Tua
Texans: is Davis Mills really the answer?
Titans: certainly doesn't appear they're married to Tannehill beyond this year
Giants: could easily be the last year for Daniel Jones
Commanders: not at all married to Wentz after 2022.
Falcons: basically still don't have a QB
Saints: basically still don't have a QB
Bucs: never know when Brady is going to retire
Panthers: basically still don't have a QB
Lions: not married to Goff beyond 2022
Seahawks: basically still don't have a QB
Like a lot of these teams currently have or could get guys who are better than Baker, but he could easily wind up on a team as a bridge to a rookie draft pick, or even as somebody who competes with a younger player who's unproven.
I'm certainly waiting if I'm him.
