Baker Mayfield tabbed as Browns biggest potential breakout candidate

Baker Mayfield was good in 2020, but some expect more in 2021

There was a multitude of factors involved, but Baker Mayfield had a disappointing 2019 season for the Cleveland Browns and started 2020 somewhat slow.

The Browns were an offense that was largely featuring Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt throughout the year, but even more so earlier on. Chubb did of course miss Weeks 5-8 (the bye was Week 9) due to an MCL sprain, though.

Albeit in a general sense, many wanted more out of Mayfield in the earlier part of this past season. That was fair, and Mayfield had a somewhat-underwhelming 182.5 yards per outing and 10 touchdowns through six games.

Him suffering a rib injury versus the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5 was rough for seemingly a bit, too, though, and at the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Week 6 blowout loss, for instance. But the Browns were mostly winning games, and started off 4-2.

Although to a sizable degree from that point forward, Mayfield was getting it done, and he got better as the year wore on. And one would naturally credit the likes of Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and a tremendous offensive line for that, too.

Nonetheless, Mayfield from Week 7 on was undoubtedly factoring into winning. From that game, in which Mayfield had a career outing, and had five passing touchdowns, onward, he had 16 touchdowns to only two interceptions, including the postseason. He had 246.8 yards per contest in that stretch.

When considering that, and with another year with Stefanski at the helm, it’s understandable to believe Mayfield will take another step forward.

Bleacher Report believes Baker Mayfield could breakout for the Browns, too.

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox nabbed Mayfield as the Browns’ biggest potential breakout candidate for 2021, for further context, and hit on the close for the signal-caller.

"“In two playoff games, Mayfield passed for 467 yards with four touchdowns and one pick.With a year under his belt-and perhaps a usual offseason this summer-Mayfield could arrive as a Pro Bowler.” — Knox, Bleacher Report"

Whether or not Odell Beckham Jr. is eventually traded, which would seem to be a reasonable possibility, Mayfield looks to be on an upward trajectory, as displayed by Pro Football Focus as of Jan. 12.

That performance put him among some of the best in the game when all was said and done.

Now, we’ll see in terms of a potential Mayfield extension this coming offseason, which could appear to play out, but I get where Knox is coming from. A breakout candidate could be in the cards, and let’s hope Mayfield will have Rashard Higgins back, of whom he has a great rapport, as DPD’s Matthew McFatridge hit on.

Behind a very strong offensive line, and with finally a semblance of continuity, Mayfield could take another step forward, and maybe even have a breakout, in reference to Knox/B/R.

Mayfield showed outstanding poise, for the most part, as the 2020 season progressed, and while his play-action/boot feel was often on display, he was much more comfortable in the pocket as the year wore on as well. Again, the much-improved offensive line play and Stefanski/Van Pelt helped, too, but the proof was in the pudding for Mayfield, and that was crucial to the Browns’ success/going 11-5 and getting to the Divisional Round.

Hopefully a semi-normal offseason (regarding COVID-19) can eventually be the case for the Cleveland Browns/Mayfield’s outlook, though.