The 2020-21 NFL season has already tainted by the Coronavirus, as they have officially announced that there will not be any preseason games this season. This season could apply more pressure to some teams and players, no player may be under more pressure than the Cleveland Browns' quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield, 24, the 2018 no.1 overall draft selection showed a lot of promise and potential his rookie season after finishing second to New York Giants running back, Saquon Barkley. In his rookie campaign, Mayfield passed for over 3,700 yards(led rookies) with 27(led rookies) touchdown passes and completed over 63 percent of his passes, all while going through a change in the head coach-- The Browns fired Hue Jackson and promoted defensive coordinator Gregg Williams half way through the season. The 2019 season would lead to high expectations for Mayfield and the Browns after finishing the 2018 season with a record of 5-2 in the final 7 games. He got more weapons too. With the addition of Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry returning and the Browns naming former offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens as the new head coach. These all lead to an even bigger Sophomore season, right? It was the exact opposite. The Browns didn't live up to the preseason expectations of most analysts and writers. They struggled to really find their rhythm in the passing game -- Mayfield passed for more than 3,800 yards, 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions and completed 59 percent of his passes. There seemed to be turmoil through the season between players and the coaching the staff, and after a disappointing season they Browns would let go of Kitchens after just one season as the head coach with a record of 6-10.
Entering into his third season, Mayfield and the Browns have a lot to prove. Under new head coach, Kevin Stefanski, who was the former offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, this has to be the year that Mayfield helps lead the Browns to the post season or at least a record of .500 or better. With a second year of Landry and Beckham, the addition of tight end Austin Hooper, running back Nick Chubb coming off a season eclipsing 1,400 rushing yards (2nd in NFL). The third season is often the most important for players on their rookie deals, it could make a difference between a player signing an extension and a player becoming an unrestricted free agent the following season.
The Cleveland Browns have a tough road ahead, battling in a very heavy AFC North division; The Ravens are strong favorites to win the division again, the Steelers are always a tough team to beat and in the playoff conversation, the Bengals look to be much improved. However, the Browns just signed Myles Garrett to an extension, they drafted one of the top offensive lineman to help protect Mayfield and they hope Stefanski can help with the progress of their star quarterback like he did with Kirk Cousins in Minnesota. But third season brings an intense amount of pressure for their Browns and their quarterback in the 2020-21 season ... The question is, can they live up to the expectations?
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