Cleveland Browns expectations are high but attainable

Baker Mayfield

Some again will point to Baker Mayfield regressing in 2019 under the direction of then-coach Freddie Kitchen as a big reason for the Browns blunders that season. I agree that the Mayfield didn’t look comfortable much of that season. But, and some will disagree, most of that uncomfortableness had to do with a coach that didn’t understand how to coach a team in general and more importantly wasn’t able to communicate with Mayfield in a productive way.

All of that has shifted significantly now that coach Stefanski is in charge and all for the better. You now have the most important combo element to a football team, the coach and his quarterback, and these two are on the same page and that is a big plus for the Browns this season.

Mayfield had a great season a year ago, and he now has three years under his belt as the Browns quarterback and that experience is huge and is paying off right before our eyes as we watch this team grow.

I expect Mayfield to have another outstanding season, anywhere between 30-40 touchdowns thrown and throwing over 3500 total yards yet again for his fourth season in a row. He will be in the discussion for the NFL’s MVP.

The Defense

The Browns finished the season at 11-5 last season and did that despite having a defense that liked to give up big plays and chunks of yardage to its opponent. This year, the Browns have added some important pieces to the defense, especially through free agency and picking up players like safety John Johnson III and defensive end Jadevon Clowney.

The Browns also drafted cornerback Greg Newsome II out of Northwestern. All these players will add more depth to a defense that needs players.

The defense relied on forcing turnovers a year ago, and that won’t change this season, but they will likely have more playmakers on that side of the ball which will only increase the Browns opportunities to alter games for the better.