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Cleveland Browns: 3 players who need more freedom in 2019

By Randy Gurzi

CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 11: A flag is unveiled in tribute to the victims of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina before the opening game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 11, 2005 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 11: A flag is unveiled in tribute to the victims of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina before the opening game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 11, 2005 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 23: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 23: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

2.  Baker Mayfield, Quarterback

One player who was truly held back by the former regime was Baker Mayfield. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Mayfield wasn’t even given a shot to compete for a job. Hue Jackson decided before even seeing him on the field that Mayfield shouldn’t start — apparently he didn’t realize that most rookies play now rather than sit.

Even worse than deciding Mayfield needed to hold a clipboard, Jackson wouldn’t even let him practice with the first team offense. That was about as foolish a move as one could make since it meant their second-string quarterback had no shot at building chemistry with the starting team.

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That put Mayfield behind the eight-ball when he relieved an injured Tyrod Taylor in their Week 3 contest against the New York Jets. Even so, Mayfield led the team to a come-from-behind victory on Thursday Night Football.

With all that being said, it’s not shocking that Mayfield had no love lost when Jackson was sent packing. With the handcuffs off of him, the rookie started to excel under Freddie Kitchens who started to tailor the offense around him.

Once Kitchens started calling the plays for the final eight games, Mayfield ended up breaking the record for the most touchdown passes by a rookie while showing off an incredible arm and an ability to make big plays while improvising.

Looking ahead to 2019, the Browns need to allow Mayfield even more freedom to run the offense. His ability to see the field led to a lot of success at Oklahoma so Kitchens needs to start allowing him to have more of a voice in game planning and adjustments at the line. Yes, he’s young, but Baker is the face of the franchise and needs to be allowed to run with things.

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