The Cleveland Browns were the biggest underdog story of the 2020 NFL season. Going 11-5, the side managed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2002. 

And that playoff run was only made sweeter when they defeated division rivals Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card Round. That game gave the side their first playoff win since 1994. 

While the Browns had plenty of bright spots through the season, one player remained in the thick of it all. And that is their QB1, Baker Mayfield. 

The former Heisman winner had his fair share of doubters through his first two seasons in the league. But 2020 was when the QB really showed signs of maturity in his game. 

Under new Head Coach Kevin Stefanski, the Browns quarterback worked on his craft to address his issues with throwing the ball accurately. Raking up over 3,500 passing yards, all while registering 26 touchdowns and just 8 interceptions, the Mayfield showed that he has what it takes to be the side’s starting QB going forward. 

Mayfield will be Cleveland Browns’ QB1 going forward

To reward their quarterback and show some faith, the side decided to exercise the fifth-year option on the QB. A decision that Browns GM Andrew Berry didn’t hesitate to make. 

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“I’d like to say that it was a proactive statement, but it really just worked out that way,” Berry said while appearing on the Ross Tucker Podcast.

Talking about the QB’s growth over the past season, Berry said he is excited about Mayfield’s future going forward. 

“We obviously felt comfortable with Baker, have felt comfortable with Baker for a long period of time… Baker over the past year has shown an enormous amount of growth and I think that’s both on the field and then quite honestly off the field as well. So, we are excited.”

Berry said that he only expects Baker Mayfield to get better in 2021 thanks to having some sort of consistency in terms of the coaching staff. 

“He’s going into his first offseason where the coaching staff, offensive system is exactly the same. Not to mention that there’s been very little turnover on the offensive side of the ball.

So we’re excited about him continuing to make strides under Kevin’s tutelage in this offense because we think he’s a very talented player,” said Berry.

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With Baker Mayfield, the Browns will hope to make another playoff run in 2021. And hopefully this time, it’ll be a deeper run than last season.