It seems likely that the Cleveland Browns are going to spend the 2022 offseason building around QB Baker Mayfield. They’ve noted their expectations for him to bounce back while also being aware of the high price it might take to acquire a top-shelf quarterback.
The 2020 version of Mayfield was one fans, and the team, were excited to get behind as the franchise quarterback long-term. The 2021 version struggled with injury, decision making and drama within the locker room.
What the 2022 version will bring will decide both the quarterback’s future as well as the team’s.
For now, we take a look at NFL.com’s ranking of quarterback performances from the 2021 season. On their list, 62 quarterbacks are evaluated which includes Mayfield and backup Case Keenum and Nick Mullens. There are decent gaps between all three with Mayfield at the top at 25:
Mayfield’s year-end rankings reflect a career that has ping-ponged between incredible promise and sub-mediocre play. Mayfield hasn’t proven he can lift his surroundings, and he couldn’t compensate for his limitations in his fourth season, which were often mental as well as physical. Unlike, say, Kirk Cousins or Ryan Tannehill, it’s hard to say which Mayfield will show up in a given week or season. It’s tough to build a team around a player like that.
The list has Mayfield ranked just above Tyler Huntley, Taylor Heinicke and Justin Fields.
Dropping down 23 spots, we find Keenum at 48 with Mullens at 55 near the bottom of the list.
If everything goes according to the current plan, Mayfield will have a shot to climb up the list in 2022 with improved weapons around him. For now, based on last year’s performance, it seems the author, Gregg Rosenthal, has him pegged just right.