Cleveland Browns News: Baker Mayfield knows 2020 is make-or-break year
By Dan Justik
Cleveland Browns Baker Mayfield knows 2020 will be an important season for his future.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield did not have the sophomore season in the NFL anyone anticipated. He was statistically one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL, and he never seemed to gain confidence throughout the 2019 season.
After a record-setting season for a rookie in 2018, Mayfield followed it up completing only 59.6 percent of his passes for 3,827 yards, 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions, for a quarterback rating of 78.8.
With a poor 2019 season, it has put the pressure on Mayfield to have a big turnaround season in 2020. Mayfield will be eligible for a contract extension in 2021, and he will need to prove to the Browns front office the 2019 season will be an outlier for his career.
More from Dawg Pound Daily
- How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
- Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
- 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not
- Is Marcus Davenport on the Browns radar in 2023?
- 5 Free agents from Super Bowl LVII Cleveland Browns should target
Knowing the third season is a key year for quarterbacks looking for a big payday with their second contract, Mayfield acknowledged Wednesday 2020 will be a make-or-break season for himself. But he also knows if he improves in 2020, it will also mean more success for the team.
More Mayfield, asked if this is a “make-or-break” year.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) May 27, 2020
"There no doubt that year three is always a big deal with these contracts, timing-wise.”
"If I play better, our team is going to do better."
Mayfield has certainly taken a different approach this offseason compared to last year, as he is not buying into the hype of the team. Knowing what happened in 2019, Mayfield understands he and the Browns need to put in the work this offseason in order to be successful in 2020.
This has also carried over to himself, as he acknowledged 2020 will be a big season due to the timing of his contract. However, instead of focusing on himself, he knows if he can perform better in 2020, then that will likely result in the team having an overall better performance this upcoming season.
Why Mayfield’s 2020 season is so important
Although 2019 was a down season for Mayfield, it was not a season that will force the Browns to give up hope Mayfield is their franchise quarterback. However, it was a year that should give them pause before offering Mayfield a lucrative contract extension following the 2020 season.
If Mayfield can light it up for the Browns this season, then the Browns front office should feel comfortable signing Mayfield to an extension in 2021. He has shown the arm talent, and an improvement in 2020 will show Mayfield had learned from his mistakes in 2019.
However, Mayfield once again having trouble in 2020 could create some doubt because there is not much room for excuses. Mayfield has plenty of weapons to take advantage of, especially with the addition of Austin Hooper. Also, the much improved Browns offensive line and improved scheme fit in Kevin Stefanski’s offense has set Mayfield up to have a much improved season.
Next. Nick Chubb named NFL's 2020 most unstoppable force. dark
He may not be as in the public eye as he was last offseason, but Mayfield is putting in the work this offseason to ensure an improved 2020. And since he has acknowledged 2020 is a make-or-break season, he knows there is not much room for mistakes this season.