Cleveland Browns must unleash Baker Mayfield this week

Mayfield has not earned his option…yet

That’s certainly been the case, as he’s been extremely inconsistent week-to-week and snap-to-snap. The flashes of greatness that we saw in 2018 have been there, and so have horrible decisions, missed reads, and inaccurate passes. Mayfield’s 2020 has been a mixed bag through 10 games, and to make matters worse, it’s clear he doesn’t have the full trust of Stefanski. The Browns rely heavily (and at times, too heavily) on the run game, because they have an excellent offensive line and the best backfield in the NFL. The problem is in doing that, Cleveland has marginalized Mayfield’s role in the offense.

Mayfield ranks dead last among QBs with at least nine games played in attempts per game at just 26.5. That’s nine attempts below what he averaged as a rookie. He is also 23rd in completion percentage and 24th in yards (still behind Dak Prescott and Nick Foles). His 15:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio looks fine, but he also hasn’t thrown a score since Week 7. Poor conditions these last three games have certainly contributed, but the scheme was the same earlier in the season.

It seems like the coaching staff is doing everything in their power to protect the offense from Mayfield, letting him drive only when they are forced to. It’s worked in the win-loss column thus far, but is that sustainable? Will it work against the heavyweights? And more importantly for the future of this team, what does that mean for Mayfield long-term?

Cleveland has a decision to make this offseason concerning Mayfield’s fifth-year option, which will pay him more than twice what he’s making now, and will be fully guaranteed for 2022. That’s a very expensive commitment to make for a player who has been so inconsistent.