Finally, Baker Mayfield won’t have to learn a new system to begin season
By Grant Puskar
Deservingly, Baker Mayfield won’t have to learn a new system to start a new season
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield deserves a rest. From the day he was drafted into Cleveland, it has been a constant uphill battle for the young quarterback from Oklahoma. From starting his NFL career as a backup for a short period of time to Tyrod Taylor, to multiple head coaches and new systems, Mayfield has seen it all. Although Mayfield and the Browns fell short of the ultimate goal this season, he can take a deep breathe for once.
No matter what level you are playing at, learning a new offense is extremely difficult, especially when you have do it multiple times in your first few years in the league. Yes, Mayfield did struggle on some of the basic fundamentals in his first few years, leading people to wonder if he was really the guy. After this season, it is crystal clear that Mayfield is the franchise quarterback of the Cleveland Browns.
Early in Mayfield’s career, we didn’t really know where he was the strongest. While some may have assumed he was best from the shotgun as that is where a lot of his college snaps came, it took new coach Kevin Stefanski to know where he is best; under center in play action.
Stefanski is clearly the guy for Mayfield, and Mayfield flourishes in his system. Mayfield put up the best numbers of his career this season, throwing for 3,563 yards, 26 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions. Stefanski knew Mayfield was under pressure all season long two seasons ago, so he went out and got protection and turned the Browns offensive line into one of the top in the league. Stefanski knew what he was getting himself into when he accepted the job with the Browns, and knew he could turn Mayfield into something special. We saw just that this season, and Mayfield is only going to continue to improve.
The Browns must prioritize signing Rashard Higgins to an extension this off-season. Stefanski knew that Higgins did not belong in the doghouse that former coach Freddie Kitchens put him in, so he went out and utilized Higgins in an outstanding way. I believe you can argue that signing Higgins to a decent contract and getting rid of either Odell Beckham or Jarvis Landry’s contracts would be a better move for the organization.
Either way, not having to learn a new system is going to speed up the Mayfield’s improvements in the offseason a ton, more than they ever have before. Stefanski has a method to his madness, loves his ball carries, zone blocking and play action.
Next. What we learned from Sunday. dark
This offseason, Mayfield and Stefanski will work to continue to build chemistry and look to get Mayfield even more comfortable in this system so that the second year of Stefanksi/Mayfield is one for the ages.