3 Issues Cleveland Browns need to clear up during the bye

Baker’s alarming turnover pace

The Cleveland Browns are -6 in turnover differential this season. The Browns have given the ball away 14 times, and Baker Mayfield is responsible for 13 of turnovers. So far this season, Mayfield has 11 interceptions and two fumbles. That is not winning football.

This is not going to be easy to hear, but it needs to be said, Baker Mayfield needs to play better. There are outside factors that contribute to the number of interceptions Mayfield has; offensive linemen not giving Mayfield time, receivers not being where they are supposed to be, receivers tipping the ball into the air, and play calling. But at the end of the day, Mayfield is the one that has to overcome those obstacles to get the job done.

Mayfield’s nature is that of a gunslinger, so there will always be that element you have to accept when it comes to his interception total. But he has to weigh the reward when making those types of throws. If Mayfield throws a pick going for a deep ball on a third and long, that’s an acceptable turnover, in essence, that’s a punt. If he throws an interception on a first down slant, that’s unacceptable. That’s how you kill drives.

The balls that are getting tipped into the air is an area where Mayfield can do something to improve. Now, should the receivers catch the ball if it touches their hands? Yes, absolutely, they are professionals and need to hold themselves accountable for that. But could Baker throw a better football to those receivers? That answer is also yes.

There can be no denying that Mayfield has not been as accurate as he was during his rookie campaign. That’s where Kitchens comes in. He needs to figure out what is missing from Mayfield’s mechanical operation that is causing his inaccuracy.

It could be his footwork, it could be his internal clock is not fast enough on timing routes, or he could be paying through an injury that we don’t know about. It’s also possible that receivers are not at the proper depth on certain routes. Whatever the case may be, Mayfield is throwing late and behind way too frequently and defensive backs have caught on to it.

Last year, Kitchens was credited for getting Mayfield’s eyes right. They would be wise into looking back at the adjustments that were made at that point to find out what has changed. It’s imperative that Mayfield and the coaches work together to get Mayfield back to playing the game at the level he is capable of. If they are able to do that, this Browns’ offense could put up 30 points a game.

If the Browns are unable to solve Mayfield’s turnover woes, then this season will slip away rapidly. The Browns must find a way to win the turnover battle, and if Mayfield can’t quit gifting the opposition they’ll never get out of first gear.