Two NFL franchises that have been desperate for a face of their franchise. A face in the most important position on the field, as in quarterback. Both the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland Brown have been searching for a guy behind center for decades. Both teams have a list bigger than Santa, of guys that have started for either team . A list that resembled the walking dead. Last time the Cleveland Browns had a good quarterback, was back in the 80’s that went into the 1990’s. Bernie Kosar finished his Cleveland career in 1993 and moved on to other teams. The last time the Bears had a significant passer was back in the 1980’s with Jim McMahon. The quarterback that helped win the Bears their only Superbowl. Many thought the Dawg pound and the Monsters of the Midway had solved their problem behind center. Drafting two young arms in the first round. In 2017, the Bears took Mitch Trubisky at number two overall. In 2018, Cleveland took Baker Mayfield, number one overall. Problem solved. Is the problem solved?

Last year Baker Mayfield took over for a very ineffective Tyrod Taylor. Baker Mayfield looked awesome. He came in like a relief pitcher and brought the Browns back in that game as the team fell behind by a couple of scores. He showed command in the huddle. The team had high confidence in him. He helped the Cleveland Browns snap a few ugly streaks they had lingering. Like winning a game which he did in that comeback win filling in for Taylor. Winning a game on the road. He almost guided the team to an even 8-8 record but fell short on that in his first season. The Browns’ second half of the season was a winning record. Browns played spoiler and Baker Mayfield looked like the real deal.

Mitch Trubisky struggled in his first season in 2017. He filled in for a very ineffective Mike Glennon. Mitch had the worst receiving core in the league that year. He showed a few glimpses, but the Coach Fox ERA had nothing created as an offensive scheme. Coach Fox was fired and then an offensive guru, Matt Nagy, was hired. In 2018 it took about five games until Mitch Trubisky took a step in the right direction. Bears had a great defense. They had many weapons on the offense side of the ball. Mitch Trubisky showed promise and the Bears made the playoffs with a 12-4 record. The Bears ended up losing that playoff game from the double doink of a kick that was heard around the world.

In 2019 many degenerate gamblers bet on the Bears and the Browns to make it to the Superbowl. Many fans from these teams were planning the parade routes. For Cleveland that parade route would not be celebrating the perfect losing season. Finally both teams had the most important position on the football field covered. Especially two teams that slayed the Jay Cutler and Johnny Football demons that have haunted these long storied franchises not that long ago. Browns made some big savvy moves in the off-season to improve their squad. While the Bears only worries were who would be their kicker.

So far in 2019 both these quarterbacks from both teams have been riding the struggle bus. Week five the Oakland Raiders beat up on the Bears. Mitch Trubisky has been sidelined with a bad shoulder. Before the injury happened, Mitch Trubisky has not been good. Throwing interceptions in the red zone. Can’t throw an accurate pass downfield 20 yards away. The Cleveland Browns were destroyed on Monday Night by the San Francisco 49ers. In a game Baker Mayfield looked like Johnny Manzeil or worse. Both quarterbacks regressing and showing no signs of improvement.

Is it too early to write either of these guys off? Did either team pick the right guy? Was the right guy under their noses the whole time, however they were like two ships in the night and passed each other by. The Browns a few seasons ago could have taken Carson Wentz. He was taken number two in 2016 by the Philadelphia Eagles. Carson has a record of 26-19 with 80 touch down passes and 30 Interceptions. Baker Mayfield has an 8-10 record with 31 touchdown passes and 21 interceptions thrown already.

The Bears look worse than Cleveland in this quarterback boat. Bears could have had Patrick Mahomes who is at a 17-5 record as a starter. His stats are off the charts. Mahomes has 61 touchdowns with only 13 interceptions. Mitch Trubisky’s numbers resemble Baker Mayfield as he’s thrown 31 touchdowns with 22 interceptions. Mitch however is 18-12 as a starter. Let’s not forget the Bears could have had a chance at Deshaun Watson who is 17-10 as a starter. He has thrown 56 touchdowns and only 18 interceptions. He has the highest completion percentage out all the gunslingers mentioned.

Both Mitch Trubisky and Baker Mayfield could turn things around. If they continue to struggle how long should either team go with them? When is it time to pull the plug? I think for both teams you want their guys to come through. Biggest reason is because of the guys that they passed up in the draft, tells you the tale of the tape on their eye for a good quarterback.

The Browns need this to work with so many personalities on the team with high egos. Baker Mayfield especially. Throw in the biggest dog in the pound, Odell Beckham Junior. Losses keep piling up for the Browns, and the Veterinarian will have to put a bunch of doggies down. Perhaps Mike Vick can provide his wisdom at putting down a dog. The Bears defense is one of the best in the league. It’s definitely Superbowl caliber. How long will this window be open for? It’s a shame because you only might need to average 20 points a game and perhaps win a game or two when their defense has a bad day. When your offense is at the bottom of the barrel with the Dolphins in the Jets you need to pray. If these quarterbacks do not pan out, people higher up will make sure heads will roll. Coaches as well since both teams have newer guys leading their teams. The theory of just drafting quarterbacks every round until you get it right might be the way to do it with these two franchises. It’s amazing the Packers can go from Farve to Rogers.The Colts can go to Manning to Luck. While the Bears and Browns find their guy behind center under a rock and pray it works. Perhaps if the Bears or Browns had Patrick Mahomes, they’d turn him into stone. It could just be that whatever these two franchises touch, turns to granite like Bedrock.