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Colin Cowherd thinks Baker Mayfield’s entire reputation on the line

By Sam Penix

Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) and the Cleveland Browns fall to the New York Jets, 23-16, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford.Nyj Vs Cle
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) and the Cleveland Browns fall to the New York Jets, 23-16, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford.Nyj Vs Cle /
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Cleveland Browns, Baker Mayfield
AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 13: (L-R) Colin Cowherd (L) and Stephen A. Smith speak onstage at ‘The Evolution of Audio in the 21st Century’ during the 2015 SXSW Music, Film + Interactive Festival at Four Seasons Hotel on March 13, 2015 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Amy E. Price/Getty Images for SXSW) /

Baker Mayfield continues to live rent-free in Colin Cowherd’s head

The Cleveland Browns are gearing up for their first playoff game in 18 years this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but apparently making the playoffs does not make one immune to criticism from Colin Cowherd.

While discussing the Browns disadvantage this week without head coach Kevin Stefanski and left guard Joel Bitonio (among other things), Cowherd made the claim that “If Baker gets rolled this weekend he is officially a ‘GAME MANAGER’, not a franchise quarterback.”

If the Browns were on even ground with the Steelers this week, perhaps Cowherd would possibly have a small point. A terrible one, but a point nonetheless. However, judging Mayfield based on a single game, especially one with as many moving parts as this one, is asinine.

Cowherd argued that Aaron Rodgers had success this season even without All-World left tackle David Bakhtiari in the lineup, and Patrick Mahomes dealing with the loss of Mitchell Schwartz. Because these two all-time greats operated well without a key member of their offensive line, then Mayfield should as well. Ignoring, of course, that those quarterbacks had their offensive staff on the sideline. Cowherd mentioned that not having Stefanski is “not ideal”, which is only a slight understatement.

The Browns have faced adversity all season, and this is just another hurdle to jump over for the team. There is a real chance that Mayfield struggles on Sunday, but that wouldn’t even begin to provide reason enough to label him a game manager after the kind of season he just had.

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