Cleveland Browns go into 2020 with hope, less expectations
The Cleveland Browns aren’t going to be featured on the front of Sports Illustrated’s NFL season preview this year.
Unlike 2019, when the Browns were the sexy pick to make noise in the AFC, perhaps pushing the New England Patriots to represent the conference in the Super Bowl, nobody thinks much of Cleveland. The offense is loaded with running back Nick Chubb, tight ends David Njoku and Austin Hooper, and wide receivers Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. Still, questions linger around third-year quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield was fantastic in his rookie campaign, throwing for 3,725 yards and 26 touchdowns against 14 interceptions in 14 games (13 starts). The thought was Mayfield would flourish under former offensive coordinator and new head coach Freddie Kitchens. As it happened, Kitchens was a full-fledged disaster, being fired after one season.
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Mayfield bottomed out in 16 games last season, throwing for 3,827 yards with 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. He also completed four percent less of his attempts (59.4) while losing half-a-yard on his YPA.
Enter Kevin Stefanski. The new head coach — Cleveland’s third in as many years — comes over from the Minnesota Vikings where he had success coaching Kirk Cousins. Stefanski’s offense worked with the running of back Dalvin Cook and the play-action passing of the aforementioned Cousins.
In Cleveland, look for a similar approach. The Browns drafted left tackle Jedrick Wills in the first round and signed free-agent right tackle Jack Conklin to a three-year, $42 million deal in March. The result should be a much better line for Chubb and veteran Kareem Hunt to run behind. This should allow Mayfield more time to drop back, survey the field and find his weapons on passing downs.
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Perhaps as important, the weight of the proverbial football world won’t be on Cleveland. In Mayfield’s rookie year, HBO’s Hard Knocks was on site for training camp. Last year, the Browns were the team everyone was watching.
This summer, Cleveland is arguably the least-interesting team in the AFC North. Most pundits see the Baltimore Ravens as the main challenger to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC, with reigning MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson looking for postseason success. In Pittsburgh, the Steelers are attempting to capture lightning with Ben Roethlisberger, who hopes to return from elbow surgery at 38 years old. Then there’s Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. Enough said.
This year should be much more normal for the Browns. A quieter year. That’s a good thing.
