The Case For Baker Mayfield

Let’s consider the semantics. Anytime your current head coach is being referred to as a “soon-to-be-ex-head-coach,” it’s never a positive sign for your development. The 2019 Browns simply weren’t able to produce a winning environment, nor an organized scheme under Freddie Kitchens. This season, they have a plan, it feels like much more than just August optimism.

The Cleveland Browns’ offensive identity figures to be something similar to the No. 8 ranked, 10-win offense of the Minnesota Vikings. Kevin Stefanski moves over from the Vikings’ offensive coordinator position to head coach of the Cleveland Browns, but his schemes will remain. Heavy emphasis on tight end production — Minnesota’s “12 personnel” saw them more than any team besides the Philadelphia Eagles.

And for Mayfield, when he looks around at the line of scrimmage, he’s bound to be comforted by that. He played a major role in Cleveland making Austin Hooper the highest-paid tight end in the business for a moment or two. And in between David Njoku, the rest of the tight end depth, there’s also the combustible wide receiving corp. Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry will be poised for big seasons, Nick Chubb was the NFL’s No. 2 rusher, and he has an improved offensive line.

Putting Kyler Murray’s statistics side-by-side with Mayfield’s won’t do Mayfield’s case justice. The Browns’ QB is finally seeing his supporting cast come into play. Murray will have to find a way to overcome the daunting sophomore slump. Mayfield is playing for his reputation in 2020, and that pressure generally leads to remarkable seasons. Expect the same for Mayfield.