5 Reasons Baker Mayfield will be 2021 NFL Most Valuable Player
By Colin Damms
2. A Re-loaded Browns Defense
A quarterback who has to do it all himself is doomed to fail, and not just on offense. There are plenty of elite teams and coaches at this level, and to reach the heights that the Browns intend to they had to go out and improve upon their defense.
The Browns defense got burned multiple times last season, and their inability to defend and prevent big plays was ultimately their downfall, giving up huge momentum swingers several times with the game on the line.
Notably their instant classic Monday Night Football loss at home to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens was littered with defensive errors. They simply can’t let teams stick around, and it especially can’t happen against the likes of Mike Glennon again. So how did they fix it?
Berry and the front office splurged on defensive talent. A new secondary built around Denzel Ward, a new defensive interior and linebacker corps brought in, and an upgrade at pass rusher opposite Myles Garrett show a statement of intent from the organization to further build on their best season in decades.
It should also give Baker Mayfield and the offense greater freedom to build and keep leads. A defense that is expected to create more turnovers, concede fewer points, and help keep opponents off the field goes a long way in helping the offense get things going. Mayfield will benefit greatly.