Baker Mayfield's resurgence and Deshaun Watson's disastrous start proves Browns were the problem
For the Cleveland Browns, fixing the quarterback position has been a problem ever since the franchise reestablished itself back in 1999. There have been numerous attempts with different manners and all kinds of players, but no matter how much they try and invest, the problem persists.
The latest example comes from Week 16, with Deshaun Watson's Browns officially eliminated from playoff contention and Baker Mayfield lighting up the scoreboard in one of the best games of his career, as the Los Angeles Rams destroyed the Denver Broncos in a 51-14 victory.
Watson has struggled massively ever since returning to the field with the Browns, while Mayfield seems to have found new life in his NFL career with the Rams. At this point, it has become increasingly evident that Cleveland's failures are all about the team - and not the quarterbacks.
Passing offense? Browns need to go all-in
After two years under Kevin Stefanski's guidance, the Browns had some interesting things on offense, but they were never more than an average team passing the ball.
With Baker Mayfield as the starter, Cleveland amassed a 17-13 record in his 30 games; they also had their first playoff win since the franchise was reestablished in a major upset over the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2020 playoffs.
If you look only at his numbers, you won't really be impressed with Mayfield throughout this period. He threw 43 touchdowns, but also 21 interceptions, and the Browns were never a real threat to AFC powerhouses such as the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills. But Mayfield represented much more than that: with his ultra-confident personality - and some cockiness, to be fair - reigniting the confidence of a franchise that had been suffering for a long time, he was the face of a resurgent team looking to leave behind two decades of complete malaise.
And then it all went down.
Mayfield suffered a shoulder injury during Week 2 of the 2021 season and, clearly, his play was affected. The Browns were supposed to be a strong team but their offense wasn't clicking, even with an elite offensive line and a fantastic duo of running backs.
Baker was hurt and he looked hurt. His passes were travelling less. He gained 1.1 fewer yards per pass attempt. He completed 2.3% less of his passes with a much better team around him.
He threw seven interceptions in his final three games of the season. The Browns decided it was enough and went after Deshaun Watson during the offseason.
Baker was traded to the Panthers and, playing for a head coach who did not last even the first half of the season, lost his starting job. Now with (a pretty banged-up version of) the Rams, under the tutelage of Sean McVay, his talents are apparent again. He was also voted the best player on the field against the Denver Broncos, completing 24 passes in 28 attempts for 230 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Browns did not trust him after he did it all to lift the franchise. Now, he's healthy again. The best version of Baker Mayfield is back.
With Watson struggling, who's at fault?
The Browns, for their part, took a hell of a risk. They traded three first-round picks for Deshaun Watson in March and gave him a fully guaranteed, 5-year, $230 million contract even after he did not play in 2021 and was at risk (and subsequently lost the first 11 games) of being suspended because of numerous accusations of sexual assault.
Now, you can have your opinion on the whole Deshaun Watson matter - and you should. But on the field, he was one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL. He was a Pro Bowler in all the seasons he was a full starter. He led the league in passing yards in 2020.
His Cleveland career is a separate matter.
He has two touchdowns and three interceptions in four games. Cleveland scored more than 14 points in just one game with him under center. If the most talented quarterback to ever step foot in your franchise can't do it, then at some point you've got to look in the mirror.
Cleveland continues to struggle to find a great quarterback because the franchise as a whole remains a mess. The Haslams can't find a common direction with the front office and the head coach's offensive system isn't really aligned with the modern NFL, as great as Stefanski might be running the ball.
There's no clarity, no clear vision. Just a heck of a mess all around.
Mayfield was not the problem. Watson is not the problem.
There's just one common denominator, and it's staring the franchise in the face.