Cleveland Browns: The Progression of Baker Mayfield at quarter-mark

Signs of continued improvement

How can we discuss the pace of Baker Mayfield currently without discussing that he is currently on pace to throw just eight interceptions this year? Coming off of a year with 23 picks, this is a massive improvement in ball security from Mayfield, even at the cost of taking more shots in tight windows and down the field for the Browns.

This number is bound to go up a little as the Browns are likely to open their playbook up a bit more in the coming weeks. This means Mayfield is going to be given more opportunities to throw the ball and dart it down the field.

However, despite the miss deep to Odell Beckham Jr. in the fourth quarter against the Cowboys, Mayfield operated with great timing, and operated the 4 minute offense to end the half to go up 31-14 with great efficiency and poise.

The footwork of Mayfield is clearly improved in his drop, and he is slowly and surely gaining confidence as he has darted six touchdowns and only two interceptions over the past three weeks for the Browns. While everyone would like to see Mayfield get back to his gunslinger ways, we will take him being patient and cautious with the football until the playbook has been completely opened up and installed.

He is not taking bad sacks, is controlling the clock, and is throwing the ball on the run and on bootlegs with great efficiency. One cannot look at the success of the Cleveland offense and not give Mayfield a great deal of credit. The run game has been great, and a good deal of that is due to the effectiveness of the passing attack anchored by Mayfield.