The hype built around the Cleveland Browns approaching the 2020 NFL season took a big stride backwards compared to the hype leading into the 2019 NFL season. While expectations were high last year, the struggles on the field including the sharp decline of Baker Mayfield slowed the Browns down in the AFC while the team failed to make the playoffs. Mayfield who was coming off a brilliant rookie campaign throwing for 3,725 yards to go with 27 touchdown passes struggled to protect the ball in 2019 while the addition of star wide receiver Odell Beckham never transferred to success on the football field.
Now as the team enters the 2020 NFL season, the big question around the NFL and in Cleveland is can Baker Mayfield lead the Browns to the playoffs as their starting quarterback? These questions have many experts and fans wondering if the 2020 NFL season is the make or break season for Baker Mayfield with the Browns. Since arriving with the Browns the team is just 13-18-1 while failing to make the playoffs in each of his first two seasons.
Luckily for Browns fans the hype this offseason has reduced, the team found a new head coach to help turn around the team, the team has a very talented group of offensive weapons including Beckham, Jarvis Landry, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, the defense has playmakers but more importantly the team has a quarterback with a huge chip on his shoulder. Mayfield will look to take a big stride forward in 2020 after failing to reach the 4,000 yard mark last season.
As a rookie, Mayfield completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 3,725 yards to go along with 27 touchdowns to 14 interceptions. Last season Mayfield completed just 59.4 percent of his passes for 3,827 yards to go with 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. For the Browns to have success in 2020, Mayfield will have to his game to the next level to see the team make the playoffs and compete in a very talented AFC North division that features both the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens have the reigning MVP Lamar Jackson looking to continue his success while the Steelers will welcome a healthy Ben Roethlisberger back to the field.
In the end despite being young, Mayfield’s 2020 performance may either make or break his career on a team that has struggled to find a franchise quarterback. Only time will tell if Mayfield will take a big stride forward while helping his Browns make the playoffs or will his turnover problems lead to another disappointing year for the Browns.