Kevin Stefanski 'fully expects' QB Baker Mayfield to 'bounce back' next season

Nobody can question the toughness of Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, who played through a serious injury to his non-throwing shoulder for the bulk of the 2021 season and also dealt with multiple lower-body setbacks over the past several months. One thing Mayfield didn't accomplish, however, was prove he's the Browns' long-term answer at the position. 

Per ESPN stats, Mayfield finished the campaign 27th among eligible signal-callers with an 83.1 passer rating and a 35.3 total QBR. 

Last week, Mayfield passionately denied a story claiming he could potentially request a trade during the offseason if he continues to allegedly feel dissatisfied about his working relationship with head coach and offensive play-caller Kevin Stefanski. The Browns head man said Friday he and Mayfield are "good," and the coach spoke with reporters Monday about the No. 1 pick of the 2018 NFL Draft who will soon undergo surgery to repair his hurting shoulder. 

"Baker fought through those injuries, was medically cleared to play each of those weeks and practiced throughout those weeks and felt good," Stefanski said about sticking with a visibly injured Mayfield until the Browns were officially eliminated from the playoffs in Week 17, according to Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "I don’t think Baker’s using any of that as an excuse and not denying that guys play through injuries." 

Stefanski added: "I fully expect him to bounce back next year." 

The fifth-year option attached to Mayfield's contract carries a value of $18.858 million and theoretically attaches him to the Browns through next season. Rumors linking Cleveland with proven veteran quarterbacks were somewhat quieted via Sunday reports that the  Browns intend to stick with Mayfield, for now, but history has shown that plans often change quickly in the NFL.