Kevin Stefanski and Baker Mayfield forging stronger partnership as Browns ascend into playoff picture

Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.

Takeaways from the day after the Browns became legit with a 9-3 record …

Behind every good offense is a strong partnership between head coach and quarterback.

As you might expect, the relationship between Kevin Stefanski and Baker Mayfield is getting better with each win.

The Browns are 9-3 after a signature 41-35 triumph against playoff-tested Tennessee on the road. Mayfield smacked the Titans with four touchdown passes and six scores in six possessions in building a 38-7 halftime lead.

Besides signalling the Browns as a legit AFC playoff contender, the resounding performance verified Stefanski as a leading candidate for coach-of-the-year honors and rekindled discussions of Mayfield as a franchise quarterback.

Just a few weeks earlier, analytics Websites were crying, “It’s time to panic” about Mayfield’s future with the Browns.

Symbolically, the win tipped Mayfield over the career .500 mark. He is 21-20 as Browns starter under three head coaches in three years.

It was the fifth game in a row without an interception for Mayfield. Over the last six games, Mayfield has completed 64.9 percent of his passes for 1,347 yards and 11 touchdowns v. only one interception. His passer rating over the last six games is 112.6. The Browns are 5-1 in Mayfield’s resurgence.

After the win in Tennessee, Mayfield said that conversations with Stefanski and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt during the bye week after a 16-6 loss to the Raiders put everybody “on the same page.” The result was more trust established between coaches and quarterback.

“Those are the things that we have talked about, like after the bye week, going into it and looking at things that I like conceptually and things that he likes, how he sees it and getting on the same page,” Mayfield said. “We are on the same page right now.

“It is just a very open line of communication. The fact that he trusts me that much [to throw 25 times in the first half against the Titans for four TDs and 290 yards] makes me more confident. There is no doubt about that.”

Stefanski said of the bye week conversations, “It was beneficial certainly as we get comfortable with what Baker really owns conceptually.

“He is doing a nice job, and I think he is comfortable in what we are doing.

“We all have the same goal in mind, so as long as there is an open line of communication going each way, you can cover a lot of ground. Maybe that is what Baker is alluding to there. We just have to cover a lot of ground in a given week, and we make sure that we try to do that both on the field, on these zoom calls or whatever it may be.”

Specific improvements by Mayfield in the past six games include taking better care of the ball, spreading his targets across his offensive roster, working the hard count cadence as a weapon to prompt defensive offsides, perfecting the art of selling the play-fake, and softening his touch on shorter throws.

“Baker is very hard on himself,” Stefanski said. “He is very critical. We try to coach him up. We try and point out the things that he can improve and also double down on things that he is really good at.”

Goodson on a good roll

Linebacker B.J. Goodson is reveling in his role as leader of the linebacking room.

The free agent pickup from the Packers had his finest game with the Browns, playing all 72 defensive snaps and:

• Breaking up a surprise pass to rookie backup center Aaron Brewer on a tackle-eligible play on Tennessee’s first offensive series.
• Stopping Derrick Henry on a two-point conversion run from the 1-yard line on Tennessee’s first touchdown after halftime.

“B.J. does a good job,” Stefanski said. “He is definitely the emotional leader of the defense. You hear him before you see him. He rallies the guys at practice and during the games. He is making big plays in these ball games to help us win.”

Goodson was just a two-down player in the 3-4 scheme in Green Bay under coordinator Mike Pettine, the former Browns head coach. Goodson assumed command of the Browns' linebacker room in training camp after Mack Wilson’s knee injury and has relished the increased role on the field and as a leader with the Browns.

“That is just who I am,” Goodson said. “It is something that I take pride in, something that I am passionate about and I enjoy doing it. I just really take pride in guys leaning in on me and just giving everyone the juice that they need to get through.”

As for leaving the Packers in free agency, Goodson said, “First and foremost, Coach Pettine is a great coach. I would like to state that first. Due to the scheme that he was running, I was not able to be on the field as much. That was my calling there as far as what they needed me to be for the defense.

“As far as my decision goes, I do not think that that played the biggest role in it, but I do think that I like the [Browns] defense. I love the defense that I am in, of course.”

Goodson, 27, already has surpassed career highs in defensive snaps (744) and tackles (81) – by plenty.

Brownie bits

Stefanski said that Wilson was cleared from concussion protocol. Cornerback Denzel Ward (calf) and receiver KhaDarel Hodge (hamstring) are “day to day” and will be evaluated throughout the week. There is a good chance defensive end Porter Gustin could be removed from Covid-19 reserve this week …

Stefanski said the team is “gathering more information” on the neck injury to receiver Taywan Taylor. Later in the day, the Browns were awarded receiver Marvin Hall via waivers from the Lions. In his fourth year, Hall has played for the Raiders, Cardinals, Falcons and Lions …

Center JC Tretter, the NFL players union president, said that no conversations about creating team or regional bubbles to protect playoff teams from the coronavirus have taken place between NFL management and the union, despite reports. With four weeks to go in the regular season, Tretter was encouraged about the NFL being able to complete the season during the pandemic. “If you look where we started in the summer, where the country was locked down and people were not sure if it was even possible to have a season to getting through 12 games, it is impressive,” Tretter said. “There is still a lot of work to do to get through the rest of the season and the playoffs, but that has been our goal from the get-go is starting the season, following through and getting to the Super Bowl.”