The Cleveland Browns may not be the Super Bowl favorites going into the 2021 season but they may be the favorites of the media and unattached fans.
The Browns are led by a confident young quarterback in Baker Mayfield, who quoted pop culture references after wins last year, an exciting running back duo, a great offensive line that will bury defenders, and a revamped defense full of speed on top of speed led by Myles Garrett.
What could be most exciting is that Mayfield gets his top weapon, Odell Beckham Jr., back from injury. Mayfield and Beckham were not clicking on all cylinders early last season but it is clear that the Browns missed his speed and ability to threaten the defense on all levels.
The offense clicked as the season went on but Mayfield and head coach Kevin Stefanski spoke about their expectations that the same thing would have happened with Beckham in the lineup. That the offense just needed time together.
Prior to his injury in Week 7, Beckham had 23 receptions for 319 yards and three touchdowns receiving as well as one rushing touchdown.
The NFL should get a jolt from the return of one of it’s most exciting players and Beckham and Mayfield should benefit from a more traditional offseason and from their experience in Stefanski’s system in 2020.
The NFL Twitter account sure seems excited for OBJ’s return, they post this hype video today:
Who else is ready to see @obj back in 2021? 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ND0oPYQ4je
— NFL (@NFL) May 24, 2021
Needless to say, the NFL might be excited about his return but the Browns, and their fans, are downright giddy for the season to start with everyone healthy. The offense, which played well without him, should be unleashed with his return and the addition of speed threat Anthony Schwartz.