Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski believes Baker Mayfield will find best form coming off bye

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 12/6/21

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry made the eyes of some fans and analysts roll last week when he insisted that visibly banged-up quarterback Baker Mayfield was "healthy enough to win games" even though he's been carrying a serious injury to his non-throwing shoulder since Week 2 and recently has been hobbled by foot, knee and groin setbacks.

Coming off the bye and sitting at 6-6 and just two games back of the first-place Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North standings, head coach Kevin Stefanski echoed Berry's comments while speaking with reporters Monday:

#Browns HC Kevin Stefanski on GM Andrew Berry saying he expects Baker Mayfield to play his best ball in final 5 games: "I think that's the expectation for all of us. Coaches and players. Where we are in our season, what's at stake."
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) December 6, 2021

#Browns Kevin Stefanski on Baker Mayfield after the bye pic.twitter.com/diXwqWD5Qp
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) December 6, 2021

Mayfield had an extra week to recover from the lower-body injuries, but it's been widely reported he'll need surgery to repair the shoulder at some point during the offseason. He was noticeably limping early in the 16-10 loss at the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 28, and the Browns have averaged a paltry 10 points over their past three games.

Mayfield has a losing record as a starter this season and, according to ESPN stats, is 20th among eligible quarterbacks with an 89.9 passer rating, 26th with a 37.9 total QBR, 24th with 2,413 passing yards, and 26th with 11 touchdowns through the air. Nevertheless, it seems the only way backup Case Keenum is seeing the field ahead of Christmas is if Mayfield is knocked out of a game or if a contest is deemed out of reach in the fourth quarter.

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