For basically every NFL team, a healthy good quarterback is key to team success. That doesn’t mean a healthy good quarterback can carry a bad team but it is tough for a good team to carry a bad quarterback, whether due to health or just poor play.
In 2021, Baker Mayfield was not a good quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. While some will argue how much of that was due to his shoulder injury, he was injured during a year he played poorly. In 2020, Mayfield was healthy and played good enough to take the team to the playoffs and win a game when they arrived.
Earlier this offseason, Mayfield had shoulder surgery. The team announced his rehab plan as such:
- Light throwing in April
- Full recovery by the start of training camp
According to Mary Kay Cabot, Mayfield is not ahead of schedule due to the hard work he put in during the season to strengthen the shoulder:
He’s rehabbing at home in Austin, Texas, and doctors are encouraged by his excellent progress. Mayfield had to work so hard to strengthen the muscles in his left shoulder during the season that he was ahead of the game in his rehab.
With little reason to accelerate his process, the Browns will likely push the quarterback to be as cautious as possible. Cleveland needs Mayfield to be healthy for him to “bounce back” as they expect him to.
A good early report on Mayfield’s recovery for the Browns. Even if he’s healthy, Cleveland has some work to do in surrounding him with more talent.