Cleveland Browns: Alex Van Pelt fixing Baker Mayfield’s footwork

Alex Van Pelt, the Cleveland Browns new offensive coordinator, is focused on getting Baker Mayfield’s footwork right for the 2020 season

It’s hard to deny that Baker Mayfield took a step backward in 2019. The Cleveland Browns quarterback had one of the best rookie seasons ever for signal-callers, even setting the record for the most touchdown passes by a rookie.

However, he went the wrong way in his sophomore campaign, throwing five fewer touchdowns (27 to 22) and seven more interceptions (14 to 21). A lot of that can be contributed to poor offensive line play and bad play-calling from now-fired Freddie Kitchens. But there could be more to it than that.

And if you ask new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, it all starts with the feet. The new OC will also serve as a quarterback coach to Mayfield and said that he wants No. 6 to start leading with his left foot instead of his right.

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Van Pelt admitted what he was saying was all “quarterback junkie” talk, but he has a firm belief that Mayfield can be better if they get his feet right.

"“I have a belief and a philosophy of footwork, and it’s extremely important to me — Kevin [Stefanski] as well,’’ said Van Pelt via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. “It all starts with the feet. The feet never lie. They get you through your progressions. So just some of the ways that we’ll have him drop both from under center and in the gun will change slightly to help him.”"

Van Pelt is respected around the league for the work he has done with other signal-callers. His favorite player to work with was Aaron Rodgers, one of the best passers in the game who also speaks very highly of the Browns new offensive coordinator.

His latest task could be a huge one for him. Mayfield is a lightning rod for controversy and his doubters were out in full force when he completed less than 60 percent of his passes this past season.

Should he be able to get Mayfield into a better rhythm, he could start to become an even hotter name in the coaching ranks than he already is.

And it seems as though he will spend a lot of time in this regard as Van Pelt also discussed play-calling, which seems as though it could still fall in the hands of Kevin Stefanski, the rookie head coach.