Jarvis Landry less than thrilled with role in Browns offense

With the offensive struggles becoming a consistent issue for the Cleveland Browns, wide receiver Jarvis Landry voiced concerns when questioned about his lack of targets.

The Cleveland Browns offense in 2021 so far has not taken the uptick that many in the organization had hoped it would. Following a successful 2020 season that saw the team make the playoffs for the first time since 2002, the offense was expected to improve after another year in Kevin Stefanski’s system.

However, what has actually happened has been a decrease in efficiency from just about everyone, including quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Jarvis Landy.

At his second annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, Landry was asked about the Browns offensive struggles and talked about his lack of involvement in the game plan in recent weeks. Mary Kay Cabot from Cleveland.com spoke with Landry about the offense and his role this season.

"“Yeah. I mean, I haven’t been getting the ball so much, either. But at the end of the day, I’ve been able to do with the opportunities I’m given. Yeah, I’m battling some things, but on Sunday, I always give everything that I have, and that won’t ever change.” – Jarvis Landry to Mary Kay Cabot"

While Landry isn’t sure why he hasn’t been on the receiving end of passes this season as much as in the past, there appear to be at least two pretty clear reasons why.

For one, Mayfield has been battling through injuries the entire season. After suffering a torn labrum in Week 2, he left Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots with a knee injury. Mayfield’s health has been an issue this season, and while he’s tried to battle through the pain, may also be harming his team in the process.

Another reason that Landry has likely seen his numbers drop is because of his lack of ability to make explosive plays. Landry’s strength is playing in the slot and catching short passes.

He’s unable to stretch the field, and his average air yards per reception is 4.69 yards, meaning the Mayfield isn’t throwing it deep when he targets Landry. To put that into real perspective, Austin Hooper’s average air yards per reception is 4.79.

When the player who is seen as your number one option at wide receiver isn’t putting fear in opposing cornerbacks, it’s going to be a real struggle to move the ball.

Landry also stated that this season has been one of the toughest of his entire career, but he and his fellow teammates and the coaching staff have to stick together to move forward and find ways to win on game day.

The veteran wideout is one of the leaders in the locker room, and pouting about not getting targeted is certainly a fine line to walk. The last thing that needs to happen is for him to get into Mayfield’s head, much like Odell Beckham Jr. seemed to be, and have his quarterback try to force the ball to him too often.

That didn’t work well with OBJ, and it won’t work well with a less talented wide receiver either.

Time will tell how Mayfield and Landry’s chemistry continues to be as the season goes on. If the offense continues to struggle and can’t get the receivers involved more on Sundays, things could get really ugly for this team, especially since their schedule doesn’t get any easier down the stretch run.