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The Cleveland Browns face-off with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night but will not have Baker Mayfield leading the offense. Head coach Kevin Stefanski noted on Wednesday that his starting quarterback will not play in the preseason opener.
This decision falls in line with what Sean McVay decided with Matthew Stafford. While Stafford has more experience than Mayfield in the league, McVay is not playing him in any preseason game despite just acquiring him this offseason.
Instead, Case Keenum will run the offense on Saturday night. We do not know who else will join Keenum on the field, however. The Browns have played it safe with many of their injured players or players coming back from injury.
It is highly unlikely Odell Beckham Jr. sees the field Saturday night based on his return from injury.
For Mayfield, injury has nothing to do with this decision. Instead, Mayfield is getting the respect that many quality quarterbacks have gotten in recent years. After a very good 2020 season under Stefanski, including a great second half to the season, the Browns are showing their belief in the former Heisman Trophy winner.
It is also a sign of Mayfield’s development in year two of an offense. For the first time in his professional career, he can build upon what he did last season. “Camp Baker” gave him a chance to lead the returning veterans in getting prepared for minicamp and it showed as the offense has been mostly sharp so far.
If Mayfield and the offense were struggling, it is likely that Stefanski would have his quarterback on the field. Instead, Saturday night the Browns will run out Keenum and, likely, a cast of players fighting for their roster spots plus a few starters sprinkled in.
A huge jump from where Mayfield and the Cleveland offense was one year ago.