With the entire coaching staff and all 11 offensive starters returning from last year, Baker Mayfield has everything he needs to take another leap.
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Coming off last year’s playoff run, the Browns return the entire coaching staff from last season, including Kevin Stefanski, who was named NFL Coach of the Year in part for helping Mayfield get back on track by placing him in a heavy play-action scheme that suited his skill set. The rest of the staff returns, as well, including offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, who once coached Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay and helped Mayfield refine his footwork and regain his confidence.
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For those reasons, Mayfield seems primed to take another leap off last season, when he reestablished himself by finishing in the top 10 of QBR while leading the Browns to their first postseason victory in 26 years.
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Buoyed by arguably the most improved offensive line in the league, the Browns finished sixth in offensive efficiency, with Mayfield flourishing behind the protection. In fact, from Week 7 to Week 15, as he settled into Stefanski’s system and the offense jelled around him, Mayfield ranked third in QBR, trailing only two of the past three league MVPs, Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes.
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“We are trying things that are pretty challenging offensively -- how we want to run routes, certain looks and formationally how we are setting things up,” Mayfield said of the second year in the offense. “We are trying to challenge ourselves each practice. Our guys are handling it correctly, and we are just getting better.”
But, Mayfield cautioned, the true test will come once the season begins.
“Last year, none of that matters,” Mayfield said. “But we are much further along because everybody is not learning [the offense] for the first time. That’s a key part. ... Now, I’m truly hoping to make a huge jump, taking care of the ball and being efficient.”