The Cleveland Browns continue to struggle with COVID-19 related issues around the team and quarterback Baker Mayfield has decided to share his frustrations.
As test results are still pouring in, due to what seems like a breach in protocols, the Browns lost backup Case Keenum on Thursday due to COVID-19. That leaves the team starting Nick Mullens from their practice squad with a mismatched offensive line, few receivers that have caught passes this season and a defense that is likely without a majority of their starting defensive backs.
Mayfield seemed to have enough and took to Twitter to share his frustrations. First, the Browns starting quarterback had a problem that only three teams are in enhanced protocols believing the NFL was only interested in money:
@NFL Make up your damn mind on protocols. Showing up and making only 3 teams test?!? All so you can keep the game as scheduled to make money.
— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) December 16, 2021
Second, Mayfield challenged the NFL’s care for player safety:
Actually caring about player safety would mean delaying the game with this continuing at the rate it is….
But to say you won’t test vaccinated players if they don’t have symptoms, then to pull this randomly. Doesn’t make any sense to me.— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) December 16, 2021
Finally, at least as of 6 PM Thursday, the Cleveland quarterback challenged what seemed like a breach of protocol where the team practiced without being tested in the morning and then was tested after practice:
Tell me if this makes sense…. No tests this morning… then let our team gather for practice… then show up after practice to test them. Something seems off here.
— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) December 16, 2021
With so many positive tests, we await word from the league and NFLPA if any postponement of the game is possible. As of yesterday, Roger Goodell made it clear that there were no plans to do so.