Cleveland Browns: Should Baker Mayfield be in MVP discussion?
By Randy Gurzi
The Cleveland Browns have been a different team in the second half of the season and Baker Mayfield is a huge reason why, so should he get MVP consideration?
Ever since Hue Jackson and Todd Haley were relieved of their duties with the Cleveland Browns, the team has been completely different than they were the first eight games of the season. Much of that credit goes to quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has been lights out for the Browns under center.
He’s grown from a player that Jackson wouldn’t let compete for the starting job to the frontrunner for the NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year. In fact, he’s been so good for Cleveland that it’s fair to see he has been playing at an MVP level.
That’s at least what Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk said when discussing Mayfield’s second half of the season. He even goes as far as to say that had Mayfield been playing all season, he could be in the debate.
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"“Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has become the favorite to win the league’s offensive rookie of the year award, but with better coaching and a full season as a starter, Mayfield might be the Most Valuable Player, not just the rookie of the year.” — Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk"
It’s interesting to think about because Mayfield was held back by Jackson — who would never even let him practice with the starters. He also was trying to work in Todd Haley’s system, which did him no favors as it played to none of his strengths.
Once interim head coach Gregg Williams and new offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens stepped in, things changes. They allowed Mayfield to play within himself and with the keys to the franchise in his hands, this a completely different team.
With Mayfield in the lineup, one of the most downtrodden teams feels like they can beat anyone. That sounds like an MVP candidate and it’s a shame he won’t get consideration for it this year due to issues out of his control.
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However, fans can take solace in knowing he will likely have his name in the mix in 2019, and many other years moving forward.