Before I became a happily married wife and mother, I went through many breakups. Some I look back on and laugh, others still sting a bit. I wasn't one to hang around too long when it didn't feel right but sometimes it took a few years to figure it out. Thank you, next.
I continue to listen to my friends share their dating episodes or marital issues knowing its so hard to navigate the dating scene. Although sometimes it feels more like the blind leading the blind.
I’ve heard it all by now and should be keeping a diary of all these stories instead of talking football! You would be getting way more emails.
Most people want to avoid the difficult conversation that comes with ending a relationship and usually stay longer than they really want to or stay for the wrong reasons. “Pulling it off like a Band-Aid” was always my style, but boy does it hurt … at first. As my Dad always said, "the only way out is through."
OK, enough of that but like in love... there are multiple ways of breaking up in the NFL.
QB Baker Mayfield:
The “I’m in love with someone new, and you gotta go … but on my terms” break-up
The Cleveland Browns don’t want him. Mayfield doesn’t want them anymore. This relationship needs to end, but the Browns won’t pull the trigger until they get what they want.
What we know:
The Browns moved on to someone new. Deshaun Watson (along with that gigantic salary) is the starter for Cleveland going forward and there is no turning back. The team signed two other quarterbacks, too, Jacoby Brissett and Josh Dobbs. That’s four quarterbacks on the team’s current roster including Mayfield. The Browns are preparing for Watson to face league suspensions. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell all but admitted that would happen when he was interviewed during the NFL Draft on ESPN.
As for Mayfield, he requested a trade in March right before the team officially landed Watson. He wrote a goodbye Instagram post to Cleveland, went on a podcast to discuss his situation, and since has been quiet. He is owed close to $19 million by the Browns this season. Cleveland would ideally like to avoid taking on any of his contract as the Browns continue to look for a trade partner, per sources.
What’s next?
There are no NFL teams “quarterback desperate” at this moment. A source with the Carolina Panthers told me the team had “light” interest in Mayfield, and if something would happen, it wouldn’t be until after the NFL Draft. Here we are in early May, and the Panthers moved on by drafting Mississippi QB Matt Corral in the third round. The Seattle Seahawks are a team Mayfield mentioned on a podcast, but for weeks team sources told me that was not the case. Their roster also is full at the quarterback position. Drew Lock, Geno Smith, Jacob Eason, and Levi Lew are Seahawks. Seattle's coach Pete Carroll went on Sports Radio KJR in Seattle and said: “I don’t see us making a trade for anybody at all. I don’t see it happening.” That doesn’t mean it would never happen, but lines up with the information I have gathered from league sources about the Mayfield situation.
Theory:
The Browns seem to be patient, willing to ride this out as they wait for the right situation. They are better served seeing what shakes loose and not forcing anything knowing there could be some desperate teams come camp/summer. They might be able to get everything they want.
What if?
Mayfield will have to show up for Browns minicamp in June if he doesn’t want to be fined per the NFL’s collective-bargaining rules. That has the potential to be very awkward, but there are NFL analysts who believe Mayfield can still patch things up with Cleveland. I believe that’s bizarre. Yes, there is a world in which that could be an option but think about how difficult of a position that puts the team, the coaching staff, the other quarterbacks, and, of course, Mayfield. It seems between now and mid-June something has to give.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo: The “we are staying together for now” because we’re scared breakup
Another awkward quarterback situation for different reasons. Everyone here seems to get along, but both parties know it could get weird if they don’t move on. I can't help but recal Garoppolo's tearful press conference after they lost in the NFC Championship Game. He thought it was over...and yet he's still there.
The process:
The plan has always been to give the starting QB job to Trey Lance,. They have to after that huge haul of picks to grab him at the top of the 2021 NFL Draft. Garoppolo threw a wrench in the team’s trade plans when he had shoulder surgery right after the season. He’s currently rehabbing his shoulder in Los Angeles and hopes to be cleared to throw this summer. I reported in March that teams like the Indianapolis Colts, who were originally interested before the surgery, have some concerns Garoppolo would miss too much time so nothing ever got done. San Francisco general manager John Lynch claims the team still is taking calls on Garoppolo. The true deadline to watch on this one would be Week 1 of the regular season. That is when the team would owe Garoppolo $24 million guaranteed.
Could he be on the team?
Recently, Lynch said: “We either want Jimmy playing for us, which we’re all right with, or we want him to get the value. As for inflection points, once he starts throwing, people will feel more comfortable. Now that we’ve had the draft, teams reevaluate rosters, and throughout the offseason and training camp, injuries can happen.”
Lynch keeps saying he wants the right situation for everyone and perhaps the most powerful point he always includes is, “It wouldn’t be the worst situation for the 49ers or Garoppolo if he returns.”
Yikes, I don’t know if that can work. It's like having two wives. Some of you are probably saying that sounds great! (If my husband is reading...don't get any ideas)
WR Deebo Samuel: “I’m done. No, I’m done. Seriously. It’s over. Wait, I don’t want to leave” breakup
He followed back!! Deebo Samuel sent his message to the 49ers when he unfollowed the team on Instagram, but then changed his mind. As of May 5, he was following his team again. Roughly four weeks later, maybe some change of heart? What could that mean? Are they going to work it out?
Needs:
The receiver/running back wants a contract extension that would pay him top market value. He has cut off all communication with the team and if he decides to boycott the mandatory minicamp June 13-15, that will cost him close to $93,000. If he then skips training camp, we are talking about $40,000 a day.
The Team:
The 49ers did not receive a trade offer that satisfied them and I was told by teams that did investigate a deal that their takeaway was the 49ers really don’t want to trade Samuel.
“You have a responsibility to help your organization the most you can,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “But losing a player like Deebo, it’s hard to see how that helps your organization. You try to look at all the aspects of it and what people are willing to do, and nothing was even remotely close that we thought would be fair for us or fair for the Niners.”
The end game:
The star receiver remains under contract for one more season. We’ve reported on ESPN for weeks that the 49ers plan to work out a contract extension with him. Money talks and it looks like both sides will work this out. This isn’t a breakup. This was just a rough patch, maybe something they can laugh at in a few years around a fire pit.
