Though it seemed unlikely, Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield had a worse outing in Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers than the week before against the Green Bay Packers.
Mayfield is a shadow of his 2020 self.
Whether that is a regression or attributed to injury is going to be the debate that Browns fans will have throughout the offseason.
Mayfield was more forthright about his health after the Steelers’ loss.
“Now it’s time for me to start looking at what’s best for me and my health. … I’m pretty damn beat up right now.”
Mayfield is reportedly meeting with his agent on Tuesday morning to figure out his next step, whether it is surgery or playing in Week 18.
Per source at @SharkSportsMgmt I’m told #Browns QB Baker Mayfield and Agent Jack Mills have a meeting scheduled for 10AM today to discuss sitting week 18 and the implications it may have on Bakers impending contract extension.
— Justin Cohen (@BadBoyOfScoops) January 4, 2022
Too Little Too Late
Mayfield was coy and sometimes arrogant about knowing what was best for his body earlier in the season.
It will go down as one of the unanswered questions of the season why he was not benched for more than one game to deal with the shoulder injury.
Somehow he was medically cleared to play with that harness that looks very uncomfortable.
NOW?!????
IT WAS TIME TWO MONTHS AGO https://t.co/Xxh118u8mo
— nj (@NJCle85) January 4, 2022
What could have been had everyone taken a step back months ago to see if Case Keenum was the man to move this team forward because of Mayfield’s injury?
https://twitter.com/TochoBitterle/status/1478391857361170433
A Bad Year
Everything about this season has been bad for Mayfield.
The injuries, COVID-19, the issues with Odell Beckham Jr., and potentially other locker room drama that we don’t know about.
Mayfield started the season playing for a contract extension.
Baker Mayfield has put on an absolute masterclass of the worst contract year I've ever seen in any sport lmao.
— Andy (@andy_buckler) January 4, 2022
Now it is unclear if he will even play out his fifth-year option in Cleveland.
His swagger is gone and whether that is because of the injury or because he has played badly remains to be seen.
2022
It is only January 4, and Browns fans are weary.
This offseason is going to be even more exhausting since the post mortem on this team with so much promise is going to be painful.
First and foremost in that analysis will be Baker Mayfield.
NEXT: NFL World Reacts To Browns' Loss To Steelers
Brown’s need to sign Tyler Huntley. Trade Baker for a second pick. Draft Jameson
Williams #1,draft a edge rusher and offensive tackle with your two second round
choices.Sign Clowney, Walker, McDowell and Stewart. Let Landry go if he doesn’t
take a huge pay cut. Cut Keenan. Berry has his work cut out for him.Let’s hope
Haslem has some patience. We need stability. Think outside the box.