In his press conference with reporters on Wednesday afternoon, Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield covered a lot of topics. And while his words about working with new coach Kevin Stefanski, staying busy in the quarantine, getting to throw with new backup Case Keenum and other things were all important in their own rights, the presentation from Baker himself mattered.
What we saw in the Zoom session was a more measured, more mature, more pensive Baker Mayfield. It’s a welcome addition to the Browns.
While part of the allure of Mayfield is his swagger, his brashness, it didn’t age well from Year 1 to Year 2. Encouraged by the last regime, which was attracted to sizzle, Mayfield fizzled in his second season.
The most telling quote from Mayfield’s meeting with the press came with a determined look, a subdued humility that comes from the experience of selling the sizzle instead of the steak.
“It’s time to work, do our thing — instead of talking about it.”
If that’s the new mantra for the team with Mayfield as the more mature leader and the quieter, more structured Stefanski, it’s a very positive step in a new direction for the talented team. Given how Mayfield broached at the same basic theme several times, it’s clear he’s either bought into the mindset or is trying hard to get there.
Perhaps Mayfield has figured out that putting the work in as a team will allow him more latitude to be the guy who infamously planted the flag in The Horseshoe or the cocksure QB who celebrated a touchdown with a lewd gesture.
Here’s hoping we get more of this Mayfield. It’s time for No. 6 to silence his critics by making sure the talk isn’t just for show anymore.
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