Every year we reach week one, I feel as though I hear the same question. Do the Cleveland Browns have the right starting quarterback? As history would have it the answer would normally be no, but I will admit it has been a bit more difficult to tell in the last year. Baker Mayfield has already made it farther than really any of the quarterbacks that have walked before him in recent memory.
It has been commonplace for the Browns to be in a very tough division during the last decade or so. The Ravens and the Steelers compete each and every year, and though Cincinnati has fallen off, they made it to the playoffs quite a few times in the last decade. Even when you don’t look at the win column, the defenses in this division are vicious, and behind an underwhelming offensive line, you are in for a world of trouble.
Unfortunately for Baker’s predecessors, this has been the case for most of the years, and as a result they have been unable to keep a starter around for long. Luckily for Baker, that has finally seemed to turn around for the Browns. They look like a whole new team in recent years. They have one of the best offensive lines, likely the best running back duo, a fierce defense, and quite a few receiving threats.
Now this is all very fortunate for Baker, as he was able to lead the Browns to a winning record and a playoff victory, neither of which had not occurred in a very long time, and he was able to do so without getting harassed by opposing defenses. Unfortunately for Baker, success does tend to come at a price. New horizons bring new expectations, and the new found success of his team may put him under a microscope. After all, the media were calling last season his make or break season, but where do you draw the line?
If you look at his stats, the only noticeable differences from his other seasons are that he threw less picks, and he had a higher QB rating. So either he has made strides in his decision making, or he had a lot more time to work. Either way, an average QB rating of 72 is pushing Pro Bowl material.
So really, I would say this season is the actual precipice of his potential. He certainly did not wow in their first week lost the Chiefs, but that’s ok. They are a top tier team and it’s a long season. He can still lead the Browns to another playoff run, proving last year was not a fluke. He can improve his efficiency even further and find himself named to the Pro Bowl. He can prove to the league that he isn’t going anywhere. He has all of the tools to accomplish these feats, but the burden of making it happen remains on his shoulders.