Hoodie Network
So Mary Kay Cabot wrote an article. In that article, she states that Baker Mayfield has an issue with HC Kevin Stefanski’s playcalling and that he might request a trade if the issues aren’t resolved. She also said that the Browns may be looking for an upgrade at quarterback for next season.
Well, at least one of these things is true. The Cleveland Browns will definitely be looking for an upgrade at QB. That doesn’t mean that they don’t believe in Baker, or even that he won’t be the quarterback next season, but the sheer talent of the available options means that they will take a look at what’s out there.
QB and HC Turmoil
Mary Kay also reported that there was “a low-key vibe permeating” throughout the offense this year in regard to Baker’s dissatisfaction with Stefanski and his playcalling. Baker has adamantly refuted this report. Many people are upset with how Baker responded, but I say Baker has always been Baker. Let’s not expect him to change now.
As far as being disgruntled, Baker has been slightly critical of the playcalling, but I think it would be unfair to call it anything more than competitive aggression. Everyone wants to win, and when you come into the year with championship aspirations, a losing record is extremely frustrating.
As far as Baker requesting a trade, this is coming from one of two sources, if it’s even true at all. It’s either coming from Baker and he is publicly acting like it isn’t true, which I highly doubt. Or it’s coming from the Browns. The Browns could possibly be floating this report out there so that they don’t look like the bad guys when they explore different options at QB next year. Honestly, I would chalk this up as whispers circling throughout Cleveland after a disappointing 2021 campaign, nothing serious.
The Brown’s Future at QB
The top of the QB market is maybe as good as it’s ever been with Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and Deshaun Watson (assuming the legal stuff is worked out). Then there is the mid-tier QBs who may be traded, such as Derek Carr, Kirk Cousins, and Jimmy Garoppolo. It’s up to the Browns front office to determine which options, if any, are better than keeping Baker for one more year.
To do that, they have to decide how much the injuries affected his play. Baker tore his labrum in his non-throwing shoulder in Week 2. This has caused him to struggle heavily in his fourth season in the NFL. A couple weeks ago, Browns’ Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt came to Baker’s defense, stating that the harness he plays with on that shoulder “definitely handcuffed him a little.”
Injured or not, Mayfield has had trouble getting the ball to receivers. When you watch the tape, receivers are getting open. Simple as that. There are plenty of plays where more than one guy is open, but the ball never gets there. So what’s the issue? Well, it’s not as simple as Baker playing poorly. No doubt, Baker has had problems with working through progressions, missing easy throws, and becoming immensely uncomfortable at the slightest sign of pressure. This is evidenced by posting the league’s 6th lowest QBR (ahead of only rookies on bad teams and Sam Darnold). Baker has plenty of blame to carry, just not 100% of it.
The offensive line has simply not played up to their standard. LT Jedrick Wills, who has battled through his own injuries, has played slightly above average at best. The interior line (LG Joel Bitonio, C JC Tretter, and RG Wyatt Teller) has been excellent overall, but towards the end of the season they haven’t played up to the giant contracts they recently signed. And RT Jack Conklin battled injury up until Week 12, when he tore his right patellar tendon and had his season ended prematurely. Blake Hance has taken over most of those snaps and, frankly, has Browns fans yearning for Conklin to be magically healed. The only saving grace for Hance is that the other replacement, James Hudson III, has been as useful as an old western movie’s saloon door.
Then there’s the pass catchers. Austin Hooper has been one of Mayfield’s most reliable targets over his two seasons in Cleveland. But this season has been a different story. He’s been decent, but nowhere near the Pro Bowl caliber player he was when he signed with Cleveland in 2020. Jarvis Landry was also a Pro Bowl player at one time, but he very clearly cannot run like he used to. And the rest of the WR corps is nothing spectacular, yet.
However, all of that being said, Baker’s decision making has been poor. He simply can’t work through his reads. Maybe he doesn’t trust his eyes, maybe he doesn’t trust his arm to make the throws quick enough, but he is missing easy throws about 10+ times per game. That’s unacceptable.
So what happens now? Well… nothing. There isn’t anything that needs to be done. Baker will aggressively be himself and want to win, just as he always has. The Browns will look for the best possible quarterback. That might mean replacing Baker, but that is something that we knew was a possibility even before this forgetful season for the Browns.