Cleveland Browns should sell out with Air Raid offense

Browns built for Air Raid

Browns general manager John Dorsey has built the Cleveland Browns, much like he did in Kansas City, to be an Air Raid offense. He has an Air Raid quarterback. He picked up a running back this offseason (whom he drafted in Kansas City) to be an Air Raid back. He has loaded up on wide receivers who are big and fast. The Browns are built to run this offense.

Most importantly, the Browns have Baker Mayfield. Baker is an Air Raid quarterback. He grew up in the system and is comfortable playing in it. But, someone might object, this is the NFL he needs to learn a pro-style system and become a pocket passer to be successful.

Reminder: Although some have already carved his bust for the Hall of Fame, Baker is only in his second season in the NFL and only his first full season as a starter. He may learn a pro style system eventually and he may develop into a pocket passer but those things are in progress. And it is not a given that a pro-style offense is better than an Air Raid offense.

Here is the bad news. After watching the coaches film, it is clear that Baker is not comfortable under center. His comfort zone is in the shotgun.

To that end, the Browns have kept him in the shotgun for most of the offense. However great Nick Chubb is as a runner, he is best when he can line up seven yards behind the ball and run downhill.  Knowing this, the Browns have put Baker under center to primarily run the football with Chubb. The tendency is there.

Not only does this tendency need to be broken, but also the conflicted nature of an offense that is half pro-style running game and half Air Raid. The coaches need to make a choice. A conflicted offense usually does not fare well in the NFL.