Browns sticking with Mayfield despite injuries, poor play

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Browns sticking with Baker Mayfield as starting QB despite injuries, poor play

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Nov 29, 2021 3:21 PM ET

Cleveland Browns starting quarterback Baker Mayfield has been dealing with a significant injury to his non-throwing shoulder since the Week 2 win over the Houston Texans on Sept. 19. He also has played through foot, knee and groin issues. Mayfield was unable to guide the Browns to even a first down on their final offensive drive of Sunday's 16-10 loss at the Baltimore Ravens, and some immediately wondered after that matchup if head coach Kevin Stefanski could use the bye to get backup Case Keenum ready to start against the Ravens on Dec. 12.

Stefanski left no doubt while speaking with reporters Monday that Mayfield will remain his QB1 moving forward:

#Browns HC Kevin Stefanski: "Baker's our starting QB. He's healthy and getting healthier. We just have to be better as an offense. We have to be better both individually and collectively."
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) November 29, 2021

Stefanski: "Baker is our starting quarterback..." #Browns pic.twitter.com/kW0DKQeUgK
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) November 29, 2021

Mayfield completed only 18-of-37 passes for 247 yards with a touchdown, no interceptions and a self-inflicted lost fumble in the defeat at Baltimore:

Baker Mayfield's season in summarypic.twitter.com/PzHjakxH8l
— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) November 29, 2021

Despite Stefanski's update that Mayfield is "getting healthier," the 26-year-old was visibly limping after his first scramble of Sunday's contest and hasn't looked fully healthy in weeks. It's believed he will ultimately require surgery to repair the shoulder setback.

According to ESPN stats, Mayfield is 26th among eligible quarterbacks with a 37.9 total QBR, 20th with 2,413 passing yards and 23rd with 11 passing touchdowns this season.

Keenum started for the injured Mayfield back on Oct. 21 and led Cleveland to a gritty 17-14 win over the Denver Broncos in Week 7.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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