Baker Mayfield faces murky future with Browns amid upcoming shoulder surgery

We can point to issues with coaching (see: Freddie Kitchens’ one-and-done campaign). We can point to issues on the offensive line and a lack of skill-position talent. We can point to Mayfield’s injury issues. That’s fine and dandy.

What we do know is that Mayfield was not a good quarterback during the 2021 season. Over the course of his final six starts, the former Oklahoma standout completed 54% of his passes with nine touchdowns, 11 turnovers and a 64.1 passer rating. Statistically, he was among the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL during that span. It’s just the continuation of inconsistency on the part of the embattled signal-caller since Cleveland made him the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Baker Mayfield stats (bold = career lows)

• 2018: 63.8% completion, 3,725 yards, 27 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 93.7 rating
• 2019: 59.4% completion, 3,827 yards, 22 touchdowns, 21 interceptions, 78.8 rating
• 2020: 62.8% completion, 3,563 yards, 26 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 95.9 rating
• 2021: 60.5% completion, 3,010 yards, 17 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 83.1 rating

It’s interesting in that Mayfield put up some of his best numbers in Stefanski’s first season with the team back in 2020. He followed that up by accumulating a performance comparable to the quarterback’s only season with the aforementioned Kitchens calling the shots back in 2019.

This can’t lead to confidence from Cleveland’s brass that Mayfield will somehow turn it around in Stefanski’s third season with the organization. And given the fact that last season saw this head coach lead the Browns to their first playoff appearance since 2002, it’s obvious he’ll be retained.

In short, and disconnect between Mayfield and Stefanski will lead to Cleveland choosing its head coach over the struggling quarterback. And there’s a disconnect here.

“We did enough to win the game, so check that box off, but got conservative. I think we need to put that team away. We got ahead early, just need to capitalize when the defense is playing like that and holding them to points,” Baker Mayfield said following a Week 14 win over the Baltimore Ravens. “We need to put it away. That’s what good teams do, so we need to improve on that.”

Baker Mayfield contract makes him an asset on the trade block

It was noted back in December that the Browns were going to look to find competition in the quarterback room this coming offseason. These reports seemingly came directly from the Andrew Berry-led front office, and put Mayfield on notice.

What if the Browns simply opt to blow up the Mayfield experiment and start anew at quarterback? The finances could very well lead to Berry and Co. making this decision.

Mayfield is set to count $18.59 million against the cap in 2022 after the Browns previously picked up the option on the final year of his rookie deal. He’s still only 26 years old and has shown enough to entice other rebuilding teams.

With a cap hit of less than $19 million, Mayfield becomes a major asset in either a trade for another quarterback or a separate deal to collect draft picks that would help bring in another signal-caller.

Cleveland Browns have options

It’s not like the quarterback market is going to be bare this coming off-season. Multiple starter-caliber quarterbacks could find themselves on the trade block.

• Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
• Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
• Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
• Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
• Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
• Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders
• Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans

That’s a pretty darn big list right there. Even if half of these quarterbacks were actually put on the market, it would give Cleveland an opportunity to improve over what has been a pedestrian Baker Mayfield under center.

As of right now, the Browns are expected to have $36.3 million in cap room. They can save a ton more by releasing veterans such as J.C. Tretter, Case Keenum and Kareem Hunt. Meanwhile, restructuring deals for Jarvis Landry, Jack Conklin and Austin Hooper would also save Cleveland a lot of cash.

Finances are not an issue. Roster-building isn’t an issue. The quarterback market will likely be abound with potential upgrades.

Yeah, we could have very well seen the last of Baker Mayfield in a Browns uniform during an ugly Week 17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.