Baker Mayfield didn’t play in the first preseason game, but is he getting snaps in Week 2 of the preseason against the New York Giants? Mayfield has a lot riding on the 2021 NFL season, as do the Cleveland Browns. That might have weighed heavy on head coach Kevin Stefanski as he contemplated this very decision.
Is Baker Mayfield playing tonight?
No, Mayfield is not playing against the Giants in the Browns’ second preseason matchup. He’s not alone, as most starters won’t touch the turf in Week 2 of the NFL preseason either. Stefanski and Co. believe their top players got enough reps in during joint practices with the Giants.
Health is most important for talented Browns
At least, that’s what this appears to be about. On paper, the Browns have one of the best rosters in the NFL. At this point, the only thing that could derail them would be serious injuries to a few key contributors. The expectations for this team are as high as ever, and falling short of their goals could cloud the future for Stefanski and Mayfield.
This isn’t to say the Browns would fire Stefanski and move on from Mayfield if they fall short in 2021. This simply means that Josh Allen already has a new and very fat contract, and Mayfield is next up alongside Lamar Jackson. However, a middle-of-the-road season from Mayfield doesn’t give the Browns a good picture of what to expect from him in the future, outside of mediocrity.
Myles Garrett doesn’t necessarily have a pass-rush running mate, but the secondary for Cleveland makes up for whatever weaknesses they may possess on the front seven. Denzel Ward, Troy Hill, Greedy Williams, and Greg Newsome round out their top four cornerbacks. That’s an outstanding group.
Additionally, they signed Hill’s teammate John Johnson to play safety alongside Ronnie Harrison and Grant Delpit. That makes for one of the most exciting secondaries in the league.
But the offense is set for Mayfield to succeed. Tack on one of the best offensive lines in the NFL — and quite possibly the most gifted runner to boot — and this looks like a roster that’s ready to compete in the AFC.
Dalton Miller is the Lead NFL Analyst for Pro Football Network. To yell at him for his other work on the site, you can find his writing here and his voice and face on Pro Football Network Daily. Follow him on Twitch and Twitter @daltonbmiller.