By STEVE KING

There are some people — perhaps even a lot of people — who have already come to the conclusion, beyond any shadow of a doubt in their minds, that Baker Mayfield is definitely not the answer in the Browns’ search to find their franchise quarterback.

OK, I can accept that. Opinions are like elbows in that everybody has them, and this is theirs. So let them have it.
But at the same time, we need to tread lightly here. Be careful of what you wish for, because you just may get something, and/or someone, you don’t want, not even in your wildest dreams.

It is easy to move on from, and get rid of, personnel in the NFL. It happens constantly with players at all skill levels.
What must also be considered in these situations, though, is determining what player will replace the one being jettisoned. Indeed, who would step in for Mayfield? Is he better than Baker now? Does he have a chance to get better, and be better? Does he fit the offense and the Browns as a whole? How well would he work with head coach Kevin Stefanski?

To be sure, this situation is tremendously more complicated than what it may appear. And that it is at quarterback, the most important position in team sports, it becomes just that much more muddled.

What enters into it, too, is that the Browns are built to win right now and over the next three, four, five years. This is not some rebuilding and developmental situation, and as such neither can the next quarterback be.

Here’s something else: Are the problems Mayfield has — physical, emotional and mental — correctable in an offseason with good coaching? If so, then would it be more prudent just to keep Mayfield?

In any event, whatever decision the Browns make, they absolutely, positively have to get it right.It will be the most important decision this current regime of Stefanski and General Manager Andrew Berry makes. If they get it right, then they get to keep their jobs and, depending on how right they are, it may be that there are statues built of them someday.

But if they get it get it wrong, then they will, as former Browns head coach Butch Davis used to say, “soon be sellin’ shoes at Walmart.”