Call it sophomore slump or simply placing too much expectations on a young player, but Baker Mayfield’s second season with the Cleveland Browns was disappointing after a promising rookie year.
But one of his teammates firmly believes that the first overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft has turned a corner and will take better care of the ball in his third season under center.
Browns running back Nick Chubb was confident in saying that Mayfield will be a much better signal caller under new head coach Kevin Stefanski.
In a report from the Browns’ website, Chubb asserted that he witnessed Mayfield’s improvement first-hand.
“I see it everyday in practice. He’s making the changes that need to be made. He’s playing smarter. I think he’s just been smarter with the ball. He’s just protecting the ball.”
After a strong start in his NFL career that saw him finish the 2018 season with 3,725 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and just 14 interceptions in 13 games, the 25-year-old regressed in his second season. Despite playing in all of the Browns’ games last year, Mayfield had fewer touchdowns with 22 and an alarming 21 interceptions even as he finished with 3,827 passing yards.
The Browns, finishing with a 7-8-1 record in Mayfield's rookie year, somehow finished with a 6-10 record despite having a more talented lineup and more weapons at the former Heisman Trophy winner's disposal.
But Chubb, who finished the 2019 season with 1,494 rushing yards on 298 carries and eight touchdowns, believes that he once again sees the confidence in Mayfield that he had when they showed promise two years ago. And if his trust in his quarterback is well-founded, then it could mean a much better showing from the Browns and possibly an end to their 17-year playoff drought.
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