Even before criticisms, analysis, forced passes and excuses, the reality was obvious.
The Odell Beckham Jr. trade to the Browns was a failure.
It was an arranged marriage that felt wrong from the beginning but they kept forcing it anyway, ultimately culminating in the divorce we witnessed last week.
And that was the best decision for all involved.
Yet while the separation between the parties was a necessary and welcome outcome, the responses in the aftermath were scaled more in favor of Baker Mayfield than Odell Beckham.
That’s a problem.
It started on Monday after Mayfield and the Browns ventured into Cincinnati and dominated the supposed new-look, on the rise Bengals, 41-16.
Media personalities were flush with Baker Mayfield highlights, praise and general love for Cleveland’s post-OBJ quarterback, who went 14-21 for 218 yards and 2 TDs in the destruction of the Bengals.
Interestingly, the Browns’ defense and ground game appeared as afterthoughts in Baker’s elevation and metaphoric placement under Diddy’s “God’s lights”.
“The reality is Baker Mayfield is a better quarterback without Odell Beckham Jr.” exclaimed Don Orlovsky on Get Up on Monday. “Kevin Stefansky is a better coach without a star receiver.
“Now, that’s not a knock on OBJ, but the ‘Baker Mayfield sucks’ crowd had a tough weekend.”
The sentiment that Odell detracted from Mayfield’s talents is a dangerous narrative. It didn’t start with Orlovsky, and in no way is he responsible for its birth.
But it feels a little heightened with Orlovsky’s statement on national television.
This situation was not of Beckham’s doing or his choice.
People need to remember that before villainizing him to promote Mayfield’s vindication.
That narrative strides across racial stereotypes and false characterizations. It also perpetuates the negative cloud hovering over Beckham that wrongly paints him as trouble.
Odell Beckham never said anything negative about Cleveland or Mayfield, even during his final days with the team.
A few short weeks ago, Beckham said he felt that he was in a “great situation” to accomplish the “ultimate goal” of winning a Super Bowl.
“There will be days where it is my day,” Beckham said at the time. “… It is what it is at this point. Like I said, my main focus was to be healthy, to be able to stay healthy, get through a season.”
No discontent or malice towards Baker or the Browns, just an attempt to remain positive and out of the scope of the press that was waiting to pounce.
Baker Mayfield, to his credit, held the same standard after their win over the Bengals.
“I wish him well. I really do,” said Mayfield. “Like I said, my feelings haven’t changed. From a personal standpoint, he’s a good friend of mine.”
You see, this isn’t about Mayfield vs. Beckham. It never was.
Yet with all of the commentary over their failed connection, you would think the former teammates were rivals that went toe-to-toe on the Canelo vs. Plant undercard.
Their failed on-the-field connection was magnified to the point where it became a blame game.
But it was never about their personalities or personal relationship.
It was about chemistry.
Unfortunately, that was overshadowed by the desire of some to uplift Baker at the expense of Odell.
And while this is a situation based upon sports and the ability to create on-the-field chemistry, it’s one that uncomfortably encroaches upon race and is tinged with racial undertones relating to Black athletes.
Ryan Clark dissected the issue on Get Up on Monday.
“The offense is a better offense without Odell Beckham Jr., which is weird because when you take out, like, generational talent, you shouldn’t get better. They do,” said Clark. “But let’s not sit here and be like ‘Baker Mayfield proved all the haters wrong. They’re going to win a Super Bowl now.’
“He played well yesterday. He was a good quarterback yesterday. But to sit here right now and because of yesterday have this overreaching theme or narrative that now Baker Mayfield is going to be the reason the Cleveland Browns win the Super Bowl is not true.”
Baker Mayfield is a good quarterback. Odell Beckham Jr. is a great receiver.
Just let them be who they are without tainting one to uplift the other.
