
Baker Mayfield's Journey: Torn Labrum, Social Media, and the Cleveland Quarterback Debate
Baker Mayfield's career with the Cleveland Browns has been marked by both successes and challenges. After joining a team that went 0-16, Mayfield has posted a 26-23 record as the starting quarterback, demonstrating his ability to win at the NFL level.
In 2020, Mayfield showed tremendous promise, particularly in the second half of the season where he was second only to MVP Aaron Rodgers in statistical performance. He led Cleveland to their first playoff victory since 1994 by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers twice.
However, 2021 has presented new challenges. After a strong showing against Kansas City and an average performance versus Houston, Mayfield struggled against Chicago and Minnesota. Key setbacks include:
- Losing veteran receiver Jarvis Landry, his reliable security blanket
- Suffering a torn left labrum while making a tackle after an interception
- Dealing with mechanical issues due to the shoulder injury
The shoulder injury doesn't require rest but could need offseason surgery. While some fans have called for backup Case Keenum, replacing Mayfield would be premature. Despite recent struggles, Mayfield remains accurate and has consistently shown the ability to win throughout his career.
The Browns now face a challenging situation with teams aware of Mayfield's shoulder injury affecting his mechanics. However, one poor performance in Minnesota (his first in a loud dome) shouldn't overshadow his overall body of work. If he performs well against the Los Angeles Chargers, the current concerns about his shoulder and recent Instagram post will likely fade away.
The key moving forward is for Mayfield to continue finding ways to win games, something he's demonstrated the ability to do throughout his career at every level.
Baker Mayfield in action
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