Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday his relationship with quarterback Baker Mayfield hasn't changed over the past year.

"It's no different. Good relationship," Stefanski told reporters.

Questions were raised about the Stefanski-Mayfield dynamic since Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported Wednesday the tandem needed to "hash things out and find a path forward" to remain in place for 2022 after "differences" had emerged amid a 7-9 season.

"Clickbait," Mayfield wrote Thursday on Twitter in response to that report. "You and many other Cleveland local media continue to be drama stirring reporters with no sources or facts. Don't put words in my mouth so you can put food on your table. I'm not your puppet."

It's been a frustrating year for the Browns on the heels of a 2020 season when they posted an 11-5 record and advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs before falling short against the eventual AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs.

That success combined with some high-profile free-agent signings, headlined by defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and cornerback Troy Hill, pushed Cleveland into the championship conversation to open the 2021 campaign.

A memorable year never materialized as the Browns hovered around .500 for most of the regular season before their current three-game losing streak eliminated them from playoff contention.

Mayfield's struggles were a major factor in the team's drop-off. He showed substantial improvement in 2020 with a 26-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio, but the 26-year-old couldn't build off that this season while playing through injuries that included a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

The University of Oklahoma product completed 60.5 percent of his throws for 3,010 yards with 17 TDs and 13 picks across 14 appearances. He ranks 26th in ESPN's QBR (35.3) and owns a lackluster 63.6 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.

While Cleveland has fallen well short of expectations, Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt told reporters Thursday he hasn't witnessed any issues between Mayfield and Stefanski:

No, absolutely not. I have seen zero of that. Kevin is in our meetings every day. He comes in, and we talk through everything that was installed every day. I know the line of communication is wide open between those two guys. I know they have met weekly on Tuesdays to make sure everything was good. I do not feel that at all. I do not. Kevin has always been open and very communicative with all of the players and coaches, as well.

Mayfield will miss Sunday's regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals because of his non-throwing shoulder injury. ESPN's Jake Trotter reported the quarterback will undergo surgery Jan. 19 and could return in time for organized team activities in the spring.

The Browns may look for a quarterback upgrade during the offseason, but a mediocre group of free-agent signal-callers and a lack of standout QB prospects in the draft could make that difficult barring a blockbuster trade.

So there's a solid chance both Mayfield and Stefanski return in 2022 as Cleveland attempts to bounce back from a forgettable season.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield is reportedly unhappy with the team's play-calling and could seek a new home in the offseason.

"If Mayfield doesn't get reassurance that things will change next season, he’ll consider asking to be traded," Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported.

According to Cabot, Mayfield felt head coach Kevin Stefanski's play-calling "didn't always put him in position to succeed or play to his strengths."

Mayfield seemingly denied the report on Twitter:

Clickbait. You and many other Cleveland local media continue to be drama stirring reporters with no sources or facts. Don’t put words in my mouth so you can put food on your table. I’m not your puppet. https://t.co/MfHnqWk65s

— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) January 6, 2022

The 26-year-old is set to make $18.9 million in 2022 in the final year of his rookie deal.

Mayfield has been ruled out of Sunday's season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals while he prepares to undergo left shoulder surgery. It completes a disappointing season as the Browns fell short of the playoffs despite high expectations.

The quarterback struggled, finishing with 3,010 passing yards and 17 touchdowns with 13 interceptions in 14 games. His 35.3 Total QBR ranked 26th of 31 qualified players.

Last year, Mayfield finished 10th in Total QBR at 65.5.

His past success could convince opposing teams to take a chance on the 2018 No. 1 overall pick. A new system could allow him to reach expectations and rebound after a tough year.

With just one year on his contract, a quarterback-needy team would also have limited risk.

Cleveland, meanwhile, could start fresh at the position and hope a new quarterback can get the squad back to the playoffs.     

Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt denied a report of tension between quarterback Baker Mayfield and head coach Kevin Stefanski.

"I've seen zero of that. ... I know the line of communication is wide open between those two guys. I know they've met weekly on Tuesdays to make sure everything is good. I don't feel that at all," Van Pelt told reporters Thursday.

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported Mayfield's frustrations with Stefanski and his play-calling "bubbled below the surface most of the season."

Mayfield, who played much of the season wearing a harness to protect his left shoulder and will undergo surgery later this month, finished a miserable 2021 campaign with 3,010 yards and 17 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. He ranked among the worst starting NFL quarterbacks in nearly every metric, while a talented Browns team sputtered its way to a 6-8 record with him as its starter.

It's hard to see where Mayfield's frustration lies. He's arguably the most protected quarterback in football in terms of scheme. The Browns pound the ball on the ground with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt (or any of their replacements) and rarely ask Mayfield to do too much with his arm.

While Mayfield was sacked 43 times, one of the worst marks in the NFL, he was knocked down only 18 times and pressured a relatively average 52 times. Those numbers indicate Mayfield was not sensing pressure well and costing his team yards by not getting the ball out.

The quarterback position is arguably the biggest thing holding the Browns back from competing for a Super Bowl. Look no further than Odell Beckham Jr. instantly excelling once he left the Browns for the Rams as evidence that something is very amiss with the Cleveland passing game.

Whatever tensions might exist between Stefanski and Mayfield will need to be worked out over the offseason, given it's expected both will be back in 2022. 

A disappointing season for Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has officially come to an end. 

Head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters on Tuesday that Mayfield will have surgery as soon as possible and won't play in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Mayfield told reporters after Monday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers that he was going to have surgery to repair the shoulder injury he suffered earlier in the season, but he didn't rule out waiting until after Week 18 to do so. 

"I'm an extremely competitive guy," Mayfield said. "Now it's time for me to start looking at what's in the best interest of me and my health."

ESPN's Jake Trotter reported on Oct. 7 that Mayfield suffered a partially torn labrum while trying to make a tackle in Cleveland's Week 2 win over the Houston Texans. 

Mayfield told Fox Sports (h/t Trotter) on Oct. 21 he also suffered a tuberosity fracture in the same shoulder in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals. 

After a promising 3-1 start this season, the Browns have lost eight of their past 12 games. Mayfield completed 55.9 percent of his attempts for 1,536 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his past eight games played. 

In Monday's loss to the Steelers, Mayfield completed just 16 of 38 attempts for 185 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He had nine straight incompletions at one point, the longest streak by a quarterback in a game this season. 

Mayfield led Cleveland to its first playoff win since 1994 with a 48-37 victory over the Steelers last season. He has a 29-30 overall record in 59 games as a starting quarterback since being drafted No. 1 by the Browns in 2018. 

In April, the Browns picked up Mayfield's fifth-year option worth $18.858 million for 2022.   

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was critical of Jadeveon Clowney throwing Chase Claypool's shoe during Monday's 26-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Speaking to reporters after the game, Stefanski said it was "not smart" of Clowney to draw a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. 

“You know, obviously, he didn't feel like he was throwing it away or whatever. But those are tough penalties in those situations,” Stefanski added.

The play occurred during Pittsburgh's first drive of the second quarter with the game scoreless. Claypool caught a pass from Ben Roethlisberger for three yards on 3rd-and-10 that would have brought up fourth down. 

Instead, Clowney had Claypool's shoe in his hand after making the tackle and tossed it down the field. The officials flagged him for a penalty that kept the drive alive. The Steelers scored three plays later on Roethlisberger's five-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson. 

Monday night was another frustrating chapter in what has been a disappointing season for the Browns. 

Cleveland has lost three straight and eight of its last 12 games overall since a 3-1 start. The team was officially eliminated from playoff contention after the defeat. It hosts AFC North champion Cincinnati on Sunday.

Expectations were high for the Browns coming into the season. They made the playoffs with an 11-5 record in 2020 and defeated the Steelers in the AFC Wild Card Round. 

Clowney signed a one-year deal with Cleveland as a free agent to provide a secondary edge-rusher along with Myles Garrett. He's been solid with 17 quarterback hits, 10 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 13 starts. 

The Browns will have to decide what direction they want to take this offseason in building for 2022. Clowney, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2014, can become an unrestricted free agent for the third consecutive year.    

The Pittsburgh Steelers live to fight another day in the NFL playoff hunt.

A 26-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field on Monday Night Football ensures Pittsburgh heads into the final week with a shot at clinching a postseason berth.

A five-yard touchdown reception for Diontae Johnson and two Chris Boswell field goals helped the Steelers take a 13-0 lead. David Njoku made it a one-score game with 56 seconds left in the third quarter on a three-yard touchdown catch.

Fingertip grab by @David_Njoku80 for the @Browns TD! #Browns

📺: #CLEvsPIT on ESPN
📱: https://t.co/cgTGrVtr6i https://t.co/BOwwjQLlup

— NFL (@NFL) January 4, 2022

Two more Boswell field goals and a dominant defense were enough to hold Cleveland at bay. The Browns finished with 232 total yards. Baker Mayfield was sacked nine times as well.

A one-yard touchdown pass from Mayfield to Harrison Bryant provided some late drama, but it didn't last long, as Pittsburgh recovered the ensuing onside kick. Najee Harris broke free for a 37-yard touchdown with 51 seconds on the clock for good measure.

Ben Roethlisberger acknowledged Thursday that this could be the final home game of his career. Between that and the clear playoff stakes, the Steelers players weren't lacking for sources of motivation.

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Notable Performers

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers: 24-of-46, 123 yards, one touchdown, one interception

Najee Harris, RB, Steelers: 28 carries, 188 yards, one touchdown; three receptions, 18 yards

Baker Mayfield, QB, Browns: 16-of-38, 185 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions; two carries, 16 yards

Nick Chubb, RB, Browns: 12 carries, 58 yards

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Steelers Rally Around Roethlisberger

Even though nothing is set in stone about Roethlisberger's status beyond 2021, Steelers fans wanted to make sure he had a proper send-off if this is indeed his last game at Heinz Field.

"And your quarterback. Number 7. Ben Roethlisberger!" @steelers 💛 pic.twitter.com/Kuig5A7jzF

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 4, 2022

💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/QgTmfwDpbd

— ESPN (@espn) January 4, 2022

Of course, this game also served as a reminder of how the 39-year-old might be holding the offense back a bit. He threw the ball 34 times in the first half yet still had just 96 yards through the air.

Harris was the standout offensive performer.

The running back wrote his name into the team's record book by breaking Franco Harris' mark for most rushing yards by a rookie. This stiff arm on M.J. Stewart Jr. generally encapsulated how well Browns defenders were bringing Harris down.

"That's Derrick Henry-esque right there." @ohthatsnajee22

📺: #CLEvsPIT on ESPN
📱: https://t.co/cgTGrVtr6i pic.twitter.com/0yaehMiKU6

— NFL (@NFL) January 4, 2022

T.J. Watt, meanwhile, burnished his Defensive Player of the Year resume by getting to Mayfield for four sacks and breaking up two passes. With 21.5 sacks on the season, he now finds himself in elite company. Only 11 other players have officially hit entered the 20-sack club.

Welcome to the 20+ sack club @_TJWatt!

(Only one person ever has done it twice. Imagine if it was your older brother and he bragged about it, that would suck.)

Go break the record kid.

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 4, 2022

Didn't T.J. Watt also just have cracked ribs like a week ago? How is he doing this? 3 sacks, two batted passes with his defense not allowing a single point with 2:58 left in the 3rd. #Steelers

— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) January 4, 2022

It's not out of the question for Watt to take down Michael Strahan's single-season record (22.5 sacks in 2001) in Week 18, too.

Mayfield will certainly be happy he doesn't have to see the two-time All-Pro again this season.

21.5 SACKS FOR @_TJWATT.

He's one away from tying the NFL record! #HereWeGo

📺: #CLEvsPIT on ESPN
📱: https://t.co/cgTGrVtr6i pic.twitter.com/BH29WgpmCN

— NFL (@NFL) January 4, 2022

Watt, on the other hand, might wish he had one more game to feast on Cleveland's offensive line.

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The End for Another Quarterback?

What a difference a year makes. In 2020, Mayfield went 21-of-34 for 263 yards and three touchdowns as the Browns beat the Steelers 48-37 at Heinz Field in the AFC Wild Card Round.

It felt like a symbolic moment for both Cleveland and Mayfield, with the former turning a corner to become a genuine contender and the latter firmly stamping his place as the franchise quarterback.

Now back in the Steel City, Mayfield delivered the kind of performance that raises further doubt as to his future with the Browns.

At one point in the first half, the fourth-year signal-caller had 10 straight attempts end without a completion. Things didn't improve much from there.

Baker Mayfield completed his first pass attempt tonight to Jarvis Landry for 20 yards.

His next 10 pass attempts were either incomplete or intercepted, the longest streak by any passer this season. pic.twitter.com/XuxoONRSLf

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 4, 2022

And look, the dude's played all year with a broken shoulder.

There's an unknowable percentage that's chopping out from under him to begin with.

But this is like when his OL was hot garb in 2019 & he steered into the skid. Has a real habit of pouring gas on a dumpster fire.

— Sam Monson (@SamMonsonNFL) January 4, 2022

With their quarterback clearly struggling, the Browns didn't put the ball in the hands of Nick Chubb as much as one would've expected.

Cleveland didn't list Chubb on its Week 17 injury report, yet his usage Monday was so puzzling that an injury to the three-time Pro Bowler was the most plausible explanation.

Either Chubb is injured, they're shelving him until next season or Stefanski is facing him in his fantasy football championship.

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) January 4, 2022

Kevin Stefanski is making Matt Canada look like Bill Walsh with this offensive gameplan.

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) January 4, 2022

In terms of wins and losses, this certainly isn't the lowest point for the Browns, but the 2021 campaign qualifies as one of the most disappointing for some time.

Whether it's signing a new quarterback, hiring a new head coach or some other big personnel move, change feels inevitable on the shores of Lake Erie.

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What's Next?

The Browns and Steelers both return to action Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. Pittsburgh hits the road to face off with the Baltimore Ravens, while Cleveland hosts the AFC North champion Cincinnati Bengals.

Odell Beckham Jr. caught just seven touchdown passes in 29 career games for the Cleveland Browns across parts of three seasons. 

So the four touchdown receptions he's nabbed over his last five games with the Los Angeles Rams since signing with the team in November have been a breath of fresh air for the veteran wideout.

"It's been great," he told reporters. "Over the last couple of years, I've felt deprived. I've definitely missed the end zone for sure, and it just hasn't been as easy and seamless as it could and should be. I'm someone who I feel like I should score once or twice every single game; I feel like I can get 100 yards every single game."

Whether Beckham meant to take a shot at former quarterback Baker Mayfield or not, it's hard not to read into his latest remarks, especially after the drama that surrounded the two this season. 

Their lack of on-field chemistry boiled over in the first week in November, when Beckham's father posted a video on Instagram showing instances of his son being open on the field without getting the ball thrown his way. He took shots at Mayfield in the comments as well.

ESPN's Jake Trotter reported at the time that Beckham "didn't disavow his father's comments publicly. And he didn't call Mayfield privately."

"I was pretty surprised by the video and the intentions and the feelings behind it. I'd be lying if I said otherwise," Mayfield told reporters after the video was posted. "I thought we had a very open line of communication."

There was little doubt that the two struggled to gain any sort of chemistry on the field. Beckham caught just 114 passes for 1,586 yards and the seven touchdowns with the Browns. To put that in perspective, the 29-year-old posted three individual seasons with 1,300 or more receiving yards with double-digit touchdown receptions in his first three seasons with the New York Giants. 

Injuries have slowed down the superstar ascension that Beckham was rocketing toward. The 2014 first-rounder has played the full 16 games in a season just once across the past five years. 

But his short time with the Rams—20 catches for 248 yards and four scores—has been a reminder that Beckham has more to offer than was possible in Cleveland. Even if his role is different in Los Angeles than it was in New York with Cooper Kupp as the headliner at wide receiver, he's been a solid addition. 

Odell Beckham Jr has mentioned a few times this season that he’s actively tracking and counting down the yard markers during Cooper Kupp’s historic run. "I'm campaigning for him to get to 2k," he said this morning. "We're witnessing greatness."

— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) December 31, 2021

For Beckham, the priority is winning. 

"I came late to the party. But [I] still have celebrated like I've been here for the whole time, so it's definitely a special opportunity, not just to win the division but to go for it all," he told reporters. "This is the only reason that you put in these hours of work in the offseason—to dedicate and sacrifice our lives for this is for these moments."

Of course, scoring a few touchdowns along the way doesn't hurt. 

Baker Mayfield downplayed the death threats his wife Emily wrote about her Instagram stories this week after the Cleveland Browns quarterback threw four interceptions in a 24-22 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. 

Mayfield told reporters the death threats were "not anything new for us" and said they were "not that serious."

He continued:

It's hard for me to say not to listen to it because I have quite a bit of experience of hearing a lot of opinions on the outside coming in. It's hard when it comes down to somebody that you love and you care about. She's not able to change any of the outcomes to the game at all. It's just one of those things that we are just in a world today and society that there are a lot of keyboard warriors who make empty threats and things like that, which it is quite honestly ignorant when they go after people who are not directly involved in football.

When you talk about taking your own life, killing somebody or all of that, that to me is ignorance, but I try not to listen to it because those are not the people who I would listen to whether it was good or bad regardless.

Emily Mayfield wrote on Instagram this week: "The death threats, lies being told about my husband, and blatant disrespect never ceases to amaze me. For the record—I pray for those of you who even think those thoughts, let alone type them out. I hope you can find some happiness so you stop trying to steal it from others."

It's been a tough season for the Browns quarterback. Despite big expectations coming into the season, Cleveland is just 7-8 on the year and Mayfield (2,825 yards, 15 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 34 sacks, 62.4 completion percentage) is having a poor season. 

That included a fallout with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who was ultimately released by the Browns in November and signed with the Los Angeles Rams. Those two never quite connected, to the point that Beckham's father at one point posted an Instagram video of all the times Mayfield failed to get the wideout the ball. 

But the issues reportedly ran both ways. 

"Odell is in his head, and [Mayfield] is pressing every time [Beckham] is around," a source told ESPN's Jake Trotter in November. "Odell throws him off. ... And it gets all f--ked up from there because Baker becomes indecisive."

"This has zero to do with anything off the field, which is why it's all so perplexing," another source added. "I don't know of one [incident] that's ever [come between] them off the field. ... This is all about the field."

Suffice to say, Mayfield's 2021 campaign has been full of drama off the field and disappointment on it. His family members receiving death threats can't be helping.