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Cleveland Browns: What happens if Baker Mayfield fails this season?

By Frank Teriaca

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 21: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns addresses the media during the press conference after the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Browns 26-23 in overtime. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 21: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns addresses the media during the press conference after the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Browns 26-23 in overtime. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Browns must be prepared to face the music if Baker Mayfield struggles again next season.

Let’s make this clear right off the bat, Baker Mayfield is the most talented quarterback that the Cleveland Browns have had since Tim Couch. And with the offensive talent he has around him and hopefully a competent head coach, Mayfield should exceed all expectations for this upcoming season.

After setting the single-season rookie touchdown record in 2018, Mayfield only threw for 22 touchdowns and had an eye-popping 21 interceptions in 2019. And he openly admitted that he didn’t take the offseason seriously.

His lack of work ethic for the last offseason is troubling. Good quarterbacks just do not lack in preparation and general manager Andrew Berry needs to be prepared if this upcoming season goes like the last one for Mayfield.

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What are Cleveland’s options in this scenario? The easiest path to take would be to bring Mayfield back as the starter for a fourth season. With a full offseason in the same offense for the first time in his career, Mayfield should see a spike in production.

And that makes sense. He has gone through so many coaches and so many different offenses so early in his career that a second full season with the same coaches in place could bring out the best in him.

But what if Cleveland finishes 4-12 and are in position to take a quarterback early in the draft? It would be really hard to pass on guys such as Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields with all the natural talent they posses in favor of a fourth season with Mayfield. Passing on a potential franchise quarterback could wind up costing the Browns in the long run.

The Detroit Lions seem to be content on doing the same thing this season if they pass up on Tua Tagovailoa at No. 3 overall. That move could wind up costing the Lions long-term if they were to do that.

Next. Post free agency roster moves for the Cleveland Browns. dark

Let’s just hope Mayfield plays great and we can put all this to bed. But until he does and with some elite quarterback talent coming out in next year’s draft, Mayfield better show up this season or it could very well be his last in Cleveland.

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