The 2022 NFL offseason frenzy involving teams potentially ready to trade their quarterbacks could begin soon and with the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns.

Swapping quarterbacks could be a more common occurrence now that Matthew Stafford helped the Los Angeles Rams win Super Bowl 56 in his first year with the team after the Rams traded Jared Goff to the Detriot Lions for Stafford.

Neither the Cardinals nor the Browns has publicly spoken about the notion of trading quarterbacks.

Both teams’ quarterbacks, Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield are still playing under their rookie contracts, and both are No. 1 picks in their respective drafts, Mayfield in 2018 and Murray in 2019.

Though anything is possible in the NFL these days, it seems unlikely this quarterback swap will occur, and here are two reasons why.

2. Murray Had A Good Season With The Cardinals

Kyler Murray made it to the Pro Bowl and led his team to a 7-0 start in 2021.

His injury issues and other team problems prevented them from finishing as strongly as they began.

Murray, reportedly, is upset with the Cardinals because he believes they are blaming him for the disappointing playoff loss to the Rams.

The Cardinals, for some unknown reason, decided to leak negative information about Murray’s character through the infamous unnamed sources.

The odd vibe between the @AZCardinals and Kyler Murray is indeed alarming:
Murray is described as self-centered, immature and finger pointer, per sources.
Murray is frustrated with franchise and was embarrassed by playoff loss to Rams and thinks he’s been framed as the scapegoat

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) February 13, 2022

The two parties appear to have a conflict, but Murray has played well so they just need to get into a room and air it out.

It does not make sense for the Cardinals to let Murray given his performance on the field.

1. Mayfield Is Recovering From A Major Injury

Baker Mayfield enters his fifth year in a position he did not want to be in especially after having an outstanding 2020 season.

Mayfield is playing the fifth-year option of his rookie contract with no imminent discussions of a contract extension expected.

He is also recovering from major shoulder surgery done in January that will curtail his offseason preparations.

Assuming all goes well with his recovery, Mayfield should be ready by training camp over the summer.

The Browns appear committed to seeing if Mayfield can recapture the 2020 glory; he was injured in Week 2 of the 2021 season so the Browns’ season derailed early.

Baker Mayfield says he will indeed have shoulder surgery this offseason. He's been playing through a torn shoulder labrum since October and dealing with a shoulder injury since September.

— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 4, 2022

Also, the Cardinals would likely not want to trade a healthy Murray for a recovering Mayfield and expect Mayfield to get up the learning curve on a new offense while still rehabbing the injury.

Conclusion

If either team decides to make a quarterback change, it may come through big-name free agent signings or the 2022 NFL Draft.

The Browns could bring in a quarterback and have Mayfield compete for the job; that is possible.

Doing that would provide extra insurance for the team in case his recovery is slower than expected, or he reinjures himself.

In the meantime, the Browns have Case Keenum who is a very capable backup; perhaps they would give him a chance to win the job in 2022.

These are fun storylines to watch as both teams’ front offices have big decisions to make about how to proceed with their QB1s in 2022.

The post Could The Cardinals And Browns Swap Quarterbacks? appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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