Hello readers! Welcome to the first post of the 2022 season. What is to be expected to be another thrilling season of me posting blogs this season, I would like to give my thoughts on some of the bigger stories going into the preseason for the 2022 season. My thoughts will include the quarterback carousel in Cleveland, the soap opera in Green Bay and my thoughts on which team should bring back their throwback uniforms for this season. Let's get to work!
Cleveland Browns: The Factory of Misery Reopened
There's two certainties in life: death and taxes. I would argue that there's a third: the Cleveland Browns doing something stupid. They have the capability of doing something good and then turn the clock back and screw themselves over.
When the Browns held the #1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, they took a shot and drafted Baker Mayfield. The Oklahoma product provided the arm that the team had sorely lacked. What he lacked was leadership and accuracy. Baker's first two seasons in Cleveland were marked as incomplete as he would suffer injuries, a plethora of head coaches, and poor play. Things would have to change in 2020 for him to stay in Cleveland.
For the 2020 Browns they would have one of their better seasons since returning to Cleveland in 1999. Posting a 11-5 record and winning their first playoff game in 26 years. The formula for their success was a strong running game, a formidable defense and steady play from Mayfield. Great expectations were in store for the 2021 Browns.
The 2021 Browns would falter from the lofty expectations. Injuries would ravage the team and that included the quarterback. The Browns would fail to make the playoffs and finished with a 8-9 record. It would be a season of change.
Baker Mayfield's future in Clevleand would be questioned as the quarterback would see his team trade a 1st and a 4th round draft selection including a 2023 first and third round selection and a 2024 first and fourth round selection to the Houston Texans for quarterback Deshaun Watson and a 2024 sixth round pick. Baker Mayfield would be angered at the trade and would eventually get dealt to the Carolina Panthers for a 2024 5th round conditional pick.
The trade for Watson was obviously a bad deal for not just the Browns but any NFL fan could see it. Watson has been dealing with off the field issues that would make any sensible team to pass on him. With 20+ allegations of sexual harassment of and sexual assault surrounding him he would end up settling the lawsuits out of court. With the off-field issues settled, the response from the NFL will be something yet to see. Any sensible response from the NFL would have Watson be suspended for the 2022 season but it could be a likelihood that he'll get 8-games. Honorable mention that the Browns guaranteed Watson $230 million. That's 230 with six zeroes. For a guy that won't likely play for them in half the season or so.
I honestly hoped the best for you Cleveland. After only two postseason appearances in just 22 seasons, I thought 2020 would be a start of something special that would rival the great Browns teams from the 1980's. With a future that's strapped for Watson, I don't honestly think the 2022 Browns will achieve a lot this year.
Green Bay: The Rodgers Era Continues
After another playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round, the Green Bay Packers would have to drop a lot of salary to stay out of cap hell. The Packers would have to shed big time stars like Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, an Za'Darius Smith to free agency or to trades. A rebuilding of the wide receiver room would be needed to return to good football.
The Packers would once again not spend 1st round pick on a wide receiver in the 2022 draft. They would instead draft Christian Watson out of North Dakota State as a 2nd rounder. Another wide out would get included as Romeo Doubs of Nevada would get drafted as a 4th rounder. Samori Toure of Nebraska would also join the Pack.
Aaron Rodgers would return to the Packers as he would enter his 17th NFL season. The passer is coming off another successful MVP campaign as he would throw for 4,115 yards with 37 touchdown passes. After failing to get past his childhood team, the 49ers, many people feared that 2021 would be his last in Green Bay.
With a defense without its key pieces like Za'Darius Smith and a young wide receiver corp the Packers will need lean on throwing arm of Aaron Rodgers again to have success as division rival Minnesota Vikings look poised to be the thorn of the Packers backsides yet again.
Throwback uniforms: A wishlist
With the 2022 season coming soon, various NFL teams will be bringing back their old uniforms to be featured in various games throughout the year. Such throwbacks that will be included are the Pat Patriot from the New England Patriots, the Kelly Green uniforms from the Philadelphia Eagles, and the "GIANTS" helmet logo from the New York Giants. With these uni's coming back I thought about what other throwbacks I would like to see make a return to the NFL.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Batman/Triangle Uniforms
These uniforms were worn during a time when the Steelers were known more for losing than actually winning games. The Steelers would wear these for two seasons in 1966 and 1967 before going with their classic uniforms that they're using to this very day. The uniform itself is kind of cool and relatively simple. With a yellow trim at the top and a black/white primary color for the rest of the uniform the Steelers should bring this uniform back as they have used the bumblebee and mustard uniforms in the past. Sadly, the Steelers would rather not bring back this memory of their past when they were a doormat.
New York Jets: Kelly green uniforms
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