Another claim Browns will move on from Baker Mayfield with loss surfaces
By Sam Penix
Let’s move on from a franchise QB
Mayfield had a rough 2019 season, throwing 22 touchdowns to 21 interceptions. His first six games and one quarter were just as rough, if not worse. But since the second quarter of Cleveland’s Week 7 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, Mayfield has played great. He has graded out as Pro Football Focus’s second-best quarterback over that span, behind only the presumed MVP, Aaron Rodgers.
PFF is but one tool one can use to judge a player, but it’s impossible to watch Mayfield this season and not see significant growth. He’s thrown 25 touchdowns to just eight interceptions and has the Browns in position to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
Has he been perfect? Of course not. But he’s been very, very good, and there should be zero doubt about picking up his option. In fact, extension talks should begin to happen this offseason, although the team shouldn’t make a final offer until after 2021.
With his body of work this season, Mayfield has proven he’s a franchise QB once again, so why on earth would the Browns move on from him because of a single game?
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There is no good answer. It’s a hot take designed purely to elicit responses. Andrew Berry, Kevin Stefanski, and the rest of the Browns organization doesn’t operate that way. Regardless of what happens on Sunday, they’ll evaluate Mayfield based on his entire 2020 season, not just four quarters. And they’ll move forward with him as their starter, to the dismay of Ninkovich and Scott.