3 players Cleveland Browns should avoid extending in offseason
By Greg Newland
![Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) rushes for a short gain ahead of a host of Baltimore players during the second half of an NFL football game at FirstEnergy Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns 18](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fhttps-3A-2F-2Fdawgpounddaily-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F17346656-850x560-2421a654e6ca9a8ed9a1336920a478903681e5790a29af9c03e7fa625cae2a7e.jpg "Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) rushes for a short gain ahead of a host of Baltimore players during the second half of an NFL football game at FirstEnergy Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns 18")
Player No. 3 – Rashard Higgins
I’ll be the first to admit, after 2018, I thought Rashard Higgins was going to be a great number two or three wide receivers in the NFL. Higgins and Baker Mayfield looked to have great chemistry, and a 572-yard receiving year had many feeling like it could turn into a 1,000-yard season in 2019.
2019 was a complete disaster with Freddie Kitchens as the head coach. Not only was the offense horrible, but Higgins also couldn’t even get on the field. I’m not sure what he did, but man, most Sundays he was a healthy scratch.
At the time, it was easy to just blame Kitchens, but I’m starting to think there is more behind the scenes that fans aren’t seeing. 2020 was a better year with Stefanski when he had 599 yards receiving and four touchdowns, but through 12 games in 2021, he only has 185 yards receiving on 31 targets and one touchdown.
We can’t forget, he was also a healthy scratch two weeks ago vs. the Baltimore Ravens as well. No real explanation why, but Higgins must be a guy that is just awful in practice.
It was easy to be a Higgins fan because of he and Mayfield’s relationship and chemistry, but after two one-year deals, it just isn’t working and it’s time for both sides to move on.