Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield had a tough time in the team's most recent preseason game, but head coach Freddie Kitchens isn't concerned.
In the third preseason game, usually referred to as the regular-season dress rehearsal, Mayfield struggled. Playing extensive time against the Buccaneers, he completed only ten of 26 pass attempts.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Kitchens backed up his young signal-caller emphatically. “I have total confidence that (Baker) is going to be okay,” Kitchens said, via Jeff Risdon of the Browns Wire.
“Baker is substantially better at reading coverages, deciphering blitzes, fixing the protections, recognizing the blitzes,” Kitchens said of Mayfield’s progression from year one to year two. “I think he’s better in a lot of areas.”
This is essentially Mayfield's first season in Kitchens' system since Kitchens didn't take over as offensive coordinator until midway through last year. Todd Haley started off 2018 as the Browns' play-caller, so Kitchens only had a half-season to work with the Heisman Trophy winner.
The Browns looked good down the stretch with Gregg Williams as the interim coach and Kitchens running the offense, sparking a lot of excitement for 2019. There hasn't been this much positive buzz in Cleveland for a very long time, and everyone is excited to see this new-look Browns offense with Mayfield throwing to Odell Beckham Jr.
Kitchens and Mayfield have always had a great relationship, and it seems like that's still the case. The preseason struggles aren't great to see, but they'll soon be forgotten if things go smoothly once the real games start.
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