STEFANSKI SEES MAYFIELD TAKING GAME TO ANOTHER LEVEL
Two things likely hold the key to the Browns success this year — a reconstructed defense and, of course, quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield, heading into his fourth NFL season, enjoyed a successful season in leading the Browns to their first postseason victory since Jan. 1, 1995, in a wild-card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers before eventually succumbing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the playoffs.
It all unfolded during his first season in Stefanski’s offense with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt as a collaborator. The upcoming season will be the first time Mayfield will have the same head coach and same offense in consecutive years, something that could make all the difference in the team’s fortunes. With the offseason in virtual mode, getting him to elevate his game is key.
“Baker is no different than the rest of the guys. They’ll have a list of things they’ll need to work on, and as coaches, we’re giving them the resources and the tools to do the things they need to improve,” Stefanski said. “Some are watching more tape. Some are drills. Really all of the above. I think Baker, as we’ve talked about, is someone who constantly wants to get better, and I think Alex Van Pelt has a really, really strong plan in how we’re going to attack that with Baker in particular.”
And it could be an easier process offering more comfort in the offense. Stefanski said some offensive concepts have been pared down and the offensive coaching staff is more in tune with the quarterback. “I hope it’s significantly better,” Stefanski said of Mayfield’s comfort with the system. “I hope as he starts to listen to the installs with (Van Pelt) and you are hearing it for not the second time — he’s heard these plays over and over again, we’ve streamlined concepts and we’ve tried to adjust what we do based on his strengths and our players’ strengths — I would hope he’s much more comfortable from that perspective. That’s what time allows you to do — time together.”
Injured players showing progress
Stefanski had nothing but praise for players still rehabbing injuries, including wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who suffered a torn ACL in October, and safety Grant Delpit, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in August.
“He’s progressing very well, trending in the right direction really,” Stefanski said of Beckham. “Odell, Grant Delpit and Greedy [Williams] they’re all on track. I don’t know what the exact date that is for all of those guys, but I really like how they’re progressing.”
Stefanski singled out Williams. Williams sat out all last season with nerve damage in a shoulder he suffered during the same training camp practice in which Delpit was carted off the field.
“He continues to get good news, and I’m so happy for the kid,” Stefanski said. “He just battled his butt off in the rehab room for months, and had a great attitude throughout and I’m really, really just happy for him as he keeps getting better. He’s trending in the right direction.”