ESPN NFL analysts have been critical of Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield’s play after the team’s 14-7 Week 4 win against the Minnesota Vikings.
Mayfield went 15-of-33 passing for 155 yards during Sunday’s game.
Through four weeks of the season, Mayfield has completed 74 of 113 pass attempts for 935 yards (22nd in the NFL), two touchdowns (tied for 29th in the NFL) and two interceptions (tied for seventh).
Mayfield’s QBR of 39.8 ranks 26th in the league.
“He’s the most replaceable quarterback, I think, in football right now,” ESPN analyst and former NFL linebacker Bart Scott said. “Cleveland is only as faithful as their options, right?”
The Browns’ two passing touchdowns this season are second-fewest in the NFL behind the Chicago Bears.
“We talk about the flirtation between Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin. I mean, could you imagine Aaron Rodgers on a squad like this?” Scott said. “I mean you upgrade that position just a little bit and they become the prohibitive favorite for the Super Bowl.”
Heading into Week 5, the Browns have the fifth-best odds at +1,200 to win Super Bowl 56, according to Bovada.
https://youtu.be/JqHsK2iPwVo
Mayfield’s stats might be down, but the Browns’ running game led by Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt has helped bolster the team’s offensive production.
The Browns are averaging 25 points per game (12th in the NFL) and are averaging 389.3 yards per game (12th in the NFL).
Heading into Week 5, the Browns lead the NFL in rushing (177 yards per game).
Mayfield has denied that his left shoulder injury has anything to do with his accuracy issues.
In Week 2, Mayfield briefly left the game against the Houston Texans due to his shoulder injury, but returned to the game.
Scott mentioned Mayfield missing wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., in the receiver’s second game back from last year’s ACL injury.
Beckham had two receptions despite Mayfield targeting him seven times against the Vikings.
Mayfield missed a deep right pass to Beckham with 1:13 left in the fourth quarter on 3rd down and 5 from the Cleveland 38-yard line.
“It’s not an Odell problem,” Scott said. “It’s a Baker Mayfield skill problem because when I look at those three plays, I see Odell Beckham looking (like he’s) about to make a reservation for six (points) in the end zone about to hit his head on the goal post.”
Baker Mayfield MISSES a wide-open Odell Beckham Jr.😨 #Browns
— TWSN (@TWSN___) October 3, 2021
Scott also mentioned how the Browns selected Mayfield with the first overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.
“Listen, he’s limited in his ability. It’s always been the case,” Scott said. “If you could redo that draft all over (again), how many people would pick Baker Mayfield first?”
In the offseason, the Browns picked up Mayfield’s fifth-year option for 2022.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry must determine whether to offer Mayfield a hefty contract extension.
What might be more important is how much money Berry offers Mayfield.
In the offseason, fellow 2018 first-round pick Josh Allen signed an extension worth up to $258 million with $150 million guaranteed.
Allen’s salary is worth an average of $43 million per year through the 2028 season.
It is likely Mayfield will seek a deal where he makes a similar yearly salary.
NEXT: NFL Insider Has Telling Report About Mayfield Injury
Bart Scott never liked the Browns so it’s not unexpected when he runs them down, but what would anyone expect from a Ravens fan🤬
Bart Scott CANNOT Stand the BROWNS and it’s Obvious.. I’m Not going to listen 👂🏾 to This Madness.. He’s a Hater and Has Been WISHING He could be on a TEAM like this Cleveland Browns Football Team, but Alas he is STILL a fledgling and sorry excuse for a Sports Reporter and it’s Obvious that I wouldn’t take whatever he says (Everyone is going back to 2018 !?) Let’s Go BROWNS for Tomorrow is Another Exciting Weekend for Real Football Folks ‼️
Wasnt Bart Scott a very good special teams player?
He was a solid linebacker next to Ray lewis, had a decent year or 2 with the jets. Then disappeared
Bart Scott is one of the bigger p.o.s.’s , how did this idiot ever get any kind of reporting/analysis jobs?
Bart who??? GFY.
Finally an analyst not afraid to accurately describe Mayfield.
If the Browns just find a way to bench Mayfield without humiliating Mayfield or his fans, within two weeks Mayfield may become the third string backup watching his team win the Super Bowl.
There is no excuse other than lack of talent for Mayfield’s performance.
Lying sack of s%#t!!! not true go baker!!!!
Every Quarterback has a bad game, it’s funny when it’s Tom Brady or Aaron Rogers they get a pass, if it’s Baker ,he’s somehow the worst Quarterback in history.
Let’s not forget, the Browns are 3 and 1 , it doesn’t matter how you get there, pretty or ugly.
Bart Scott is another no talent hack , hired by the 4 letter network, him and Mike Tannenbaum are world class Baker haters. What really matters is his teammates love him and has his back. At the end of the day that’s all that really matters, not what two bags of gas think..
Keep the outside noise out Baker and the Browns, these asshats mean nothing.
He has a bad game 60% of the time.He is average at best.
His stats don’t lie. How long will his running game carry him?
This is the same guy that predicted the browns would miss the playoffs. Sounds like he knows he blew that one. As long as Baker is healthy he’s a great leader and perfect for this team.
Bart Scott is totally irrelevent and no one was more replaceable than him. Broiwns hater for years.
It’s amazing how a certain segment wants Baker to be good. You people talk him up as if he is one of the top QB’s in the league, but his stats have always spoken otherwise.
Bart has seen professional football, and still does, on a much higher scale than any of you bashing the man.
I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say this… THE BROWNS WIN INSPITE OF BAKER, NOT BECAUSE OF HIM!!
Bakers stats tell the tale.He is definitely not a $40 million a year quarterback but he’s also a lot better than Derrek Anderson, Brandon Wieden, and Tim couch.He is an average quarterback that is better than 60% of the league.