Stefanski won’t bench Mayfield
When Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was asked after Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens whether making a quarterback change during the bye is a possibility, he immediately answered no.
Then Stefanski turned the tables on the reporter who had asked about switching from starting quarterback Baker Mayfield to backup quarterback Case Keenum.
“Let me ask you a question,” Stefanski said. “Why would we do that?”
The reporter pointed out the Browns haven't been scoring many points lately — they have scored more than 17 points just once in the past seven games.
“We're not doing that,” Stefanski said of sitting Mayfield.
Asked to assess Mayfield's outing in Baltmore, Stefanski said, “We had some opportunities and made some big plays, but we have to get guys open, and we've got to find a way to stay on the field on third down.”
The Browns converted 4 of 13 third downs (30.8%).
Mayfield has been playing through an injured left, non-throwing shoulder since Week 2 and left heel, right knee and groin injuries in recent weeks. He moved better Sunday night than he had in the previous two games — Stefanski even called a quarterback sneak, and it went for 3 yards — but he still limped a bit, including after he scrambled for 1 yard with 7:56 left in the first quarter.
“I definitely felt a lot better physically than I have been,” Mayfield said. “So just need to keep improving in that sense. I was able to move around.
“This bye week comes at a pretty crucial time for me to make that turning point and get back to 100%.”
Mayfield finished 18-of-37 passing (48.6%) for 247 yards and a touchdown without an interception. He took two sacks and ran twice for 4 yards.
“We just need to make more plays,” Mayfield said. “I mean, as simple as that sounds, there's plays there to be made.”
Browns sticking with kicker Mclaughlin
Stefanski spoke as if the Browns won't consider a kicker change, either.
Chase Mclaughlin missed a 46-yard field goal Sunday. He also made a 46yard field goal, but the ball hit the left upright.
“We have high expectations for him,” Stefanski said. “I think he has high expectations for himself. He came back and hit [a field goal] for us. So we're going to continue to count on him down the stretch.”