Especially if he is able to be fully healthy at the start of next year, Baker Mayfield will play a large role in determining if the Browns can rebound from a disappointing 2021 season. Even if that’s the case, though, the team could still look very different by that time. 
[Related: Browns Plan To Keep Baker Mayfield]
Both head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry have expressed confidence in Mayfield: “It’s easy to forget… what we’ve seen with Baker over the past several years. Obviously he had his most productive season in this offense under [Stefanski in 2020]” Berry said recently. That’s one of the reasons ESPN’s Jake Trotter writes that bringing Mayfield back on his fifth year option “seems to be the most likely outcome”, another being the lack of realistic trade targets. With that said, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal adds that “acquiring someone to push” Mayfield, such as Mitchell Trubisky or Marcus Mariota, is a strong possibility as well. Mayfield will have a price tag of just under $19MM in 2022.
Meanwhile, the wide receiver position is setting up to be an area of focus. With veteran Jarvis Landry in danger of being a cap casualty – he has no guaranteed money left on his deal, leaving Trotter to write that it “feels like he has played his last snap with the Browns” – rebuilding the pass-catching corps is sure to be a priority. While the Browns should have the cap space to target at least one experienced wideout, there is a growing sense of expectation they will use the draft as a means of acquiring a true No. 1. Mel Kiper’s first mock draft has Cleveland taking Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson, while Dane Brugler projects them taking Treylon Burks from Arkansas.
The two reporters are also in synch when it comes to the team’s defensive needs. Defensive tackle in particular looks to be a key area of focus, given the pending unrestricted free agency of 32-year-old Malik Jackson and the recent arrest of Malik McDowell. Trotter adds that edge rusher could also be a need, depending on what happens with Jadeveon Clowney in free agency. Just like receiver, the defensive front figures to see a significant overhaul in the coming months.
For a team that generated so many expectations heading into the 2021 season, the Browns clearly face a number of key roster decisions heading into the offseason to be able to meet them in the future.
L franchise
I’d keep Baker but bring in competition. Either he thrives or folds, like Wentz did. When teams do not offer competition (at any position), that’s when the roster falls apart.
I swear if they sign Mr. Biscuit I may have to reconsider my fandom.
ROFL! Are you talking about Trubisky? I’ve never heard him called that before, but now I can’t unhear it. In fact, I’ll be disappointed if the commentators don’t refer to him as such.
If Pilsbury is his “competition” then you won’t have to worry about Baker. Hurt Baker could (and did) outplay him.
Fun fact, Mayfield has never played against Trubisky…
And Trubisky has a better starting record than Mayfield…
Browns missed there window, thy should deal Baker for 2023 picks, load for the 2023 draft, tank in 2022 and then draft CJ Stroud BABY!!! It’s all about having early pick in 23. We need an elite QB and Baker is nothing but a second tier QB… AFC is loaded with QB talent, have to have one closer to Mahomes, Allen, Herbert, Jackson, Burrow, etc…
Sure, draft another Ohio State quarterback in the 1st round because they have so much success in the NFL. I can’t think of any Ohio State quarterback who has even been average
Rex Kern – but after switching to safety.
Your conclusion is a result of lazy thinking and is invalid because you assume that that which hasn’t happened will never happen. Who is on the list of great NFL quarterbacks from Cal before Aaron Rodgers? From Texas Tech before Patrick Mahomes? How about from Wyoming before Josh Allen? Who was the last great quarterback from Michigan before Tom Brady? The last great quarterback from Louisville before Lamar Jackson was Johnny Unitas. Northwestern has Otto Graham and…??? It’s very difficult for a man to become a star NFL quarterback and that’s not a bad reflection upon the institutions they’ve attended or the coaches they’ve played for.