Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield accomplished more in 2019 than fans give him credit. True, Mayfield had a disappointing season that culminated with a 6-10 record and 2019 was a let down for players and fans.But if you’re keeping track, Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, and Drew Brees each had lackluster seasons early in their careers.
Manning went 6-10 in 2001 and threw 23 interceptions. One year after winning Super Bowl XL, Roethlisberger led the league with 23 interceptions in 2006. In 2003, Brees played so poorly the San Diego Chargers drafted Eli Manning first overall in 2004 before trading him to the New York Giants for quarterback Philip Rivers.
Fans can’t label Mayfield as another number in the long list of Browns starting quarterbacks since 1999 because, on further review, Mayfield’s 2019 season was solid. Not great. Not good. But solid. Here’s what the Browns accomplished with Mayfield.
The Good and the Bad of Baker Mayfield
The Browns Defeated Their Division Rivals
That included Lamar Jackson and his red-hot Baltimore Ravens. In Week 4, Mayfield and the Browns clobbered Jackson’s Ravens, 40-25. Cleveland also beat Cincinnati and Pittsburgh for a 3-1 start in the AFC North.
It was the first time since the Browns returned in 1999 that the team beat all three division rivals in the same season, let alone with one quarterback.
Since Mayfield took over as the starting quarterback, he boasts a 6-5 record in the AFC North. When was the last time a Browns quarterback had a winning record against the division over two seasons?
Baker Mayfield Started all 16 Games
It was the first time since Tim Couch in 2001 that the same quarterback started all 16 games of the regular season.
Mayfield pulled off his best impression of Couch, taking a beating behind a suspect offensive line while playing in an offensive system that relied too much on the pass.
This might not seem like a huge stat line, but Mayfield deserves credit for making it through the season as the starter. He played well enough to avoid the annual quarterback controversy that’s often plagued the Browns.
When starting quarterbacks struggle, the most popular man in the city is the backup. Commend former coach Freddie Kitchens for sticking with Mayfield through the tough games.
Mayfield Threw 20+ Touchdown Passes Two Years in a Row
Another big deal for Browns fans. Who was the last quarterback to come close to this mark?
It was Couch in 2001 and 2002 when he tossed for 17 and 18 touchdown passes, respectively. But Couch also threw a combined 39 interceptions in those two seasons compared to Mayfield’s combined 49 touchdowns and 34 picks.
Not a huge statistic if you’re used to having a quarterback who can do this. For the Browns, this is an accomplishment. It shows Mayfield is a better player than fans and league analysts made him out to be in 2019.
It’s important to remember Mayfield played for a rookie head coach. A rookie head coach who served as the running backs coach during training camp in 2018. Kitchens replaced Todd Haley as offensive coordinator halfway through the 2018 season.
The Browns’ defense didn’t help as injuries and suspensions marred about every starting position on the other side of the ball, forcing Mayfield and the Browns into early holes.
Now, don’t think this article is a free pass for Mayfield. For a successful 2020, Mayfield must improve the following.
Taking Care of the Ball
Baker Mayfield threw 21 interceptions in 2019. Yes, a few of them were sure completions that ended up in the wrong hands like Antonio Callaway’s bobbled pass against the San Francisco 49ers.
Either way, Mayfield put too much trust in his arm when the Browns were down late. For an offense that featured Odell Beckham, Jarvis Landry, and a decent pass catcher in Kareem Hunt, there’s no need for Mayfield to take unnecessary risks.
He did so one too many times in 2019, beginning in Week One against the Tennessee Titans. Mayfield’s comparisons to Brett Favre are accurate, though he’s young enough to improve this quirk.
Stop Taking Unnecessary Sacks
Mayfield needs to improve his inner-time clock when dropping back to pass. The line was lackluster, but there were several times he held onto the ball longer than he should have.
There were multiple times Mayfield took unnecessary sacks or threw into a sea of hands when he should’ve chucked the ball out of bounds so the offense could survive another down.
Sure, tossing the ball into the bench might lead to a punt. But it’s better to give the ball to opposing offenses deep in their own territory than it is to give them half the field to work with. Or worse, a pick-six.
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