Baker Mayfield is just one of twenty — 20! — Cleveland Browns players in danger of missing Saturday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders after testing positive for COVID-19. And yet, according to NFL Network, it would take “many more positives” for the game to be moved or canceled.
Baker Mayfield speaks after 20 Cleveland Browns players test positive for COVID-19
That prompted Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield to take to Twitter to vent.
“Make up your damn mind on protocols,” Mayfield wrote. “Showing up and making only 3 teams test?!? All so you can keep the game as scheduled to make money. Actually caring about player safety would mean delaying the game with this continuing at the rate it is.” he continued. “But to say you won’t test vaccinated players if they don’t have symptoms, then to pull this randomly. Doesn’t make any sense to me.”
Mayfield’s first comments refer to the NFL’s decision, spurred on by the union, to test the entire Browns team following Thursday’s practice due to their outbreak. Those additional tests revealed Case Keenum also has the virus — although both he and Mayfield could play Saturday if they’re vaccinated, asymptomatic, and have one negative test, under the NFL’s revised protocols.
But Mayfield’s broader point holds up: There’s a very good chance that what’s playing out in Cleveland is playing out in many — if not every — other locker room in the NFL. The Browns were just the ones unlucky enough to get detected. It’s foolish to assume that the Raiders won’t suit up players who are COVID-19 positive Saturday. They’re just fortunate enough not to be detected.
NFL’s COVID-19 problem in Week 15
COVID-19 is spreading like crazy. But it’s resulting in a bunch of asymptomatic positives. The NFL could pause for a week and still keep their season on schedule by eliminating the bye between the conference championship game and the Super Bowl. However, the league has shown very little inclination to do so. Mayfield argues it’s all about money.
The NFLPA, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, is pushing aggressively for the postponement of the Raiders-Browns game on Sunday, adding “some in the union believe the entire season should be shut down for a week,” pointing to player safety and game integrity.
The PA has a point — particularly about the latter. The Browns are one of 26 teams in the playoff hunt, and the Raiders are another. A win Sunday against Las Vegas with a devastated roster and Nick Mullens as their starter should be worth two.
“F— it, we rally up & handle business,” Browns tight end David Njoku wrote.