Baker Mayfield's future contract is at the top of the Browns' list of things to do this offseason. (Getty Images)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Takeaways from the day after the Browns ended their season at 0-1 …
The sting of the 22-17 divisional playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs will run its course. And then the most important accomplishments of the 2020 Browns will fill the offseason with optimism.
They found their head coach.
They established their culture.
They learned their quarterback was the real deal.
The Browns have coyly refrained from anointing Baker Mayfield their “franchise quarterback.” GM Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski avoid that term like the plague. Probably for business reasons. Franchise quarterbacks are costing in the range of $150 million to $200 million these days.
“Baker continued to get better all season,” coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He did the things we asked him to do. He definitely led this football team from Day 1 until now. I would still tell you that these [franchise quarterback] things tend to figure themselves out.
“We have a bunch of ball games to look at with him and find out ways that he can get better, but in terms of the ‘franchise quarterback’ thing, I do not even know necessarily what that means. I will let Andrew answer that one. Make sure you save that one for Andrew this week.”
Berry figures to have a busy offseason of business decisions. On top of the list is how to proceed with Mayfield’s future. Enter into talks for a new contract? Or postpone that business for a year and merely pick up his fifth-year option in May?
If they conclude that Mayfield indeed is their franchise quarterback, then the sooner the better to strike a long-term deal. The price only goes up over time.
Mayfield became the first quarterback in Browns history to defeat the Steelers in a post-season game and the first since Tim Couch in 2003 to win in Heinz Field. He did not produce victory in Kansas City, but he was not the reason the Browns lost.
Mayfield’s teammates have no question that he is their franchise quarterback.
“I think Baker showed this entire year the type of player and leader he is, and that is what you need out of the quarterback room,” said center JC Tretter.
“He continues to get better since he came here as a rookie. He continues to grow as a player, as a person and as a leader, and that is what you need. Baker, I think his growth is not yet done. He is not a finished product and I think he would be the first one to tell you that, but you continue to see him get better and better each and every year.”
Running back Nick Chubb said, “Baker, he is our guy. He is our quarterback. He has proved that since he has been here. If he can only get better, the future is definitely bright for us.”
In order to plot the Browns’ salary cap structure over the next few years, Berry will have to make a decision on Mayfield first. That decision is coming soon.
Last team with ball wins
If you thought the Browns-Chiefs game would come down to a final possession, you were not alone. Stefanski did, too.
The Browns inherited the ball with 8 minutes to go after Karl Joseph’s interception of Chad Henne in the end zone. They possessed the ball for almost 4 minutes and then punted with 4:19 to go. The offense never got the ball back.
“That is where I thought that game was going to be,” Stefanski said. “I thought it was going to be tight and we were going to have an opportunity late in the game and we were going to have to go on and drive. I just did not put the guys in position to succeed.
“That is where I am going to work really hard to make sure the next time that we are in that situation that I do. We came up short and did not get it done, but it was not for lack of effort. That is where I really appreciate the guys we have because you knew they were going to fight and they did, but I have to do a better job."
A learning experience
The playoff experience will benefit the Browns next year. For most on the roster, it was their first taste of the postseason.
“Really just one takeaway from the game yesterday for the most part is just in that moment, you have to make it happen,” Chubb said. “You can’t have any mistakes. Everything matters. It is win or go home. I think we understand that. Next time we get the opportunity, I hope everyone fully understands that, me included. We only have that one moment, one game to make it happen, and you can’t afford to have any mess-ups or mistakes. I think that is the biggest thing if we ever get there again. That was a great lesson learned yesterday.”
Chubb was upset about his three drops and said they would motivate him in the offseason.
“Yeah, for sure. It was tough,” he said. “It did not go my way at all. Can only learn from it. It happened. I am just mad at myself because that is something I worked so hard to improve on was catching the ball in the offseason, and up until yesterday, it has been working for me. I can only learn from it and get back to work, and when the time comes again, be ready for it.”
Brownie bits
The Browns are usually in coaching staff flux this time of year, even when their head coach returns, but Stefanski doesn’t expect any changes on his staff. “I do expect the coaching staff back next season,” he said. “Really, I loved the way our group worked together and were very much trying to solve problems in the season as they came about.” …
Left tackle Jedrick Wills’ ankle injury will need a couple weeks of rehab but not surgery, Stefansk said …
The forgotten man of the post-season, of course, was Odell Beckham Jr., who was rehabilitating from ACL surgery with personal trainers away from the club. “I texted with him this morning,” Stefanski said. “I know he is working really hard to get better in his rehab. I am excited to get him back here. I know it was not easy for him being away from his teammates, especially as these games got bigger and into the playoffs. I know he definitely wanted to be a part of it.” …
Stefanski said that he was excited for the return next season of two players in the defensive secondary who were injured in training camp – cornerback Greedy Williams and safety Grant Delpit. “That is the exciting part for us, to get some of those guys back next season,” he said.