5 NFL predictions for 2021

Who could have predicted the events of 2020? No one could have foreseen a pandemic throwing the entire sports landscape for a loop.

Thankfully, 2020 is finally in our rearview mirror, and we can look forward to what will surely be a better year in 2021.

Here are five predictions for what's likely to take place in the NFL this year:

Browns trade Odell Beckham Jr.

It feels like Cleveland has been shooting down trade rumors ever since acquiring Beckham in March 2019. But at this point, a trade seems like the best move for both the player and the team.

Over two seasons in Ohio, Beckham has notched 97 receptions for 1,354 yards and seven touchdowns. That production isn't awful, but it's far from what the Browns thought they were acquiring after trading a first-round pick, a third-round selection, and two starters to the New York Giants 21 months ago.

Beckham's catches with the Browns have come on 176 targets, which makes for a 55.1% catch rate. He posted a 62.7% catch rate throughout his time with the Giants and a 70% catch rate during his dazzling rookie season.

Baker Mayfield's performance with and without Beckham healthy is even more concerning for the Browns, as it's apparent the signal-caller feels the need to force the ball to the three-time Pro Bowler. When Beckham is unavailable, Mayfield is much more comfortable distributing the football.

Prior to the Browns' ugly Week 16 loss to the Jets, Mayfield had produced the fourth-highest QBR in the league (74.5) since Week 7.

Then there's the team's overall success. The Browns were a disappointing 6-10 during Beckham's first year in Cleveland. They went 5-2 to open this campaign, and after OBJ went down with a season-ending injury, Cleveland has improved to 10-5 and is on the cusp of ending the NFL's longest playoff drought.

If the Browns are capable of such success without Beckham, why keep him around? Cleveland would be better served building on its success in 2020 and trading the 28-year-old for more assets to put around the core of Mayfield, running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, and edge rusher Myles Garrett.

Patriots reunite with Garoppolo

If one year without Tom Brady at quarterback has taught Bill Belichick anything, it's that he's wasting his time with free-agent fill-ins at the position.

The 2020 season was a lost one for the New England Patriots after the team's brain trust punted on handing the quarterback reigns to Jarrett Stidham, instead taking a one-year flier on 2015 MVP Cam Newton.

Newton essentially gave up on passing halfway through the campaign after recording only two touchdown tosses and seven interceptions by Week 10. Sure, he's not getting much support from the league's worst receiving corps, but Belichick no doubt recognizes that Newton's days as even a league-average passer are done.

The Patriots could tear it down to the studs and begin anew, but there's little reason to believe the 68-year-old Belichick is interested in sticking around for a rebuild.

The Pats also won't finish with a high enough draft pick to land an immediate difference-maker like Zach Wilson or Trey Lance.

However, there's another option: A reunion with Jimmy Garoppolo, the one that got away.

The San Francisco 49ers appear to be growing dissatisfied with Garoppolo, potentially providing the perfect opportunity for Belichick to reacquire a piece he reportedly never wanted to part with in the first place.

In 2017, the Patriots sent Garoppolo to San Francisco for a second-round pick, and his diminished value since then plays right into Belichick's hands. New England may not be a quarterback away from contention, but resolving its question under center will allow the team to focus elsewhere.

There are two years left on Garoppolo's contract, and he carries a $24-million base salary and cap hits of $26 million in 2021 and $27 million in 2022. That's a lot to stomach, but the Patriots are projected to hold $61 million in cap space this offseason.

As this campaign has proven, Belichick can't win with just any QB. Don't be surprised if the six-time champion swings a deal for a passer he previously identified as his next starter.

Jaguars finish with .500 or better record

Jacksonville's tanking efforts were a success!

After a 14-game losing streak and the Jets inexplicably winning their last two games, the Jaguars are set to draft Trevor Lawrence first overall in April, locking up a generational talent at football's most important position.

No, the Jaguars aren't just a rookie quarterback away from suddenly becoming competitive, but it's not unheard of for a one-win team to finish .500 or better the next season.

The 1962 Oakland Raiders went 1-13, and then Al Davis took over as head coach, leading them to a 10-4 record in 1963. The Houston Oilers posted back-to-back one-win seasons in 1972 and 1973, then went 7-7 in 1974. The Indianapolis Colts made the leap from 1-15 in 1991 to 9-7 in '92. The Jets also pulled off the feat, going from 1-15 under Rich Kotite in 1996 to 9-7 under Bill Parcells in '97.

So there's a path for the Jags to rebound in 2021.

The Jaguars will also need to pair their incoming franchise QB with the right head coach. Doug Marrone shouldn't be around to coach Lawrence after a third consecutive double-digit-loss season. The Jags are already without a general manager, and the team's new front-office leader will presumably select Jacksonville's next head coach.

The franchise also holds a projected league-high $77 million in cap space to improve the roster at a time when other teams will be looking to shed payroll with the cap expected to dip after the pandemic.

A quick rebuild isn't out of the question.

Jim Harbaugh returns to the NFL

Harbaugh's coaching stay in the NFL lasted just four seasons, and it remains one of the more perplexing stints in recent memory.

After a 44-19-1 record with the 49ers from 2011 to 2014 - which included a trip to the Super Bowl - Harbaugh left the pros for the college game. But he hasn't experienced similar success at his alma mater.

Harbaugh has registered a .690 win percentage over six years at Michigan, but the Wolverines have lost four consecutive bowl games and haven't defeated rival Ohio State during that stretch.

At this point, Harbaugh could do anything from sign an extension at Michigan, be given his walking papers, or return to the NFL. Oddsmakers in Vegas believe he could be offered the NFL head coaching gig in the state of Michigan.

The opportunities don't end in Detroit. There are two other NFL head coaching vacancies, and many more will likely pop up after the regular season ends on Sunday.

Harbaugh's contract with Michigan expires following the 2021 campaign, and after a disastrous 2-4 season in 2020, an extension still has yet to be agreed upon. It may just be a matter of time before khakis are en vogue again on NFL sidelines.

Roethlisberger, Newton retire

The end of the line could be coming for both veteran quarterbacks.

The Steelers were rolling under the 38-year-old Roethlisberger to begin his 17th season, but time has caught up to him now. Big Ben's arm looks shot, and opposing defenses aren't even pretending to be worried about his deep throws.

Whether he's protecting his surgically repaired elbow or has just lost it, the Steelers must look to pursue their future signal-caller at the next opportunity.

Roethlisberger has flirted with retirement before, with the latest comment coming after a Week 14 loss when he said "If I don't play good enough football, then I need to hang it up." In the time since, he's played worse football, aside from one half versus the Colts last weekend. He'll get a playoff run to attempt to change some minds, but the writing may already be on the wall.

From what we know about Roethlisberger, he's likely too prideful to continue his career as a backup or a mentor to a younger player. He bristled when the Steelers drafted Mason Rudolph in the third round two years ago.

It's far more likely Roethlisberger will hang up his cleats and then tease comebacks, similar to Brett Favre.

Newton, meanwhile, has also looked washed up. In a league in which quarterbacks are putting up record-breaking passing numbers, Cam has struggled to reach 2,415 yards and five touchdowns - NFL lows for a passer who's started as much as him. In his last outing, he completed five passes for 34 yards in one half of work.

Newton entered the year hoping to prove the league wrong after signing a cheap, one-year deal late in free agency. Instead, the 31-year-old has shown he's not willing to fix his poor throwing mechanics, relying solely on a diminished arm and his abilities as a rusher.

After a lost season in New England, it's hard to envision any takers for his services going forward. Newton walking away on his own terms rather than enduring another embarrassing stint on the free-agent market is more realistic.