CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Andrew Berry did not sound like an executive that is in the market for a new starting quarterback for the 2022 season.
Despite rampant speculation that Berry might consider looking to trade for a veteran to either compete with or replace Mayfield, Berry reiterated that Mayfield will be their starter this fall.
“I fully expect that,” Berry told reporters at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis Tuesday afternoon.
The messaging from Berry remains consistent, as does his explanation as to why he says that he will stick with Mayfield.
“I think the reality is that we have seen him play at a high level before,” Berry said according to a transcript provided by the Browns. “Being realistic, the injury does have some impact on his performance. We are focused on him getting healthy. We know how he works. We think he is talented. We have seen him play at a playoff-caliber level before, and I do not think there is any reason to think he can’t rebound to that level next year.”
Mayfield is coming off a disappointing season that saw him play with a torn labrum in his left shoulder which he underwent surgery to repair in January. The injury affected Mayfield’s performance and the Browns offense suffered, taking dramatic steps backward after a breakout playoff season in 2020.
Mayfield is expected to begin light throwing in April and the hope is the 2018 No. 1 overall pick will be ready to roll come training camp.
“Baker is doing well in his rehab,” Berry said. “I think you guys know how hard he works. He has worked his tail off since the surgery. He is right on track. I talked to him after the surgery – he was a little bit groggy. It is the first time he has ever had surgery in his entire career. He has worked really hard, and we feel good about his progress.”
There has been rampant speculation about the potential for a lot of quarterback movement this offseason starting with DeShaun Watson and Jimmy Garoppolo, who are most assuredly on the move. Russell Wilson might be unhappy with Seattle and Kyler Murray’s agent made a public plea for a contract extension from the Cardinals. Then there’s the Aaron Rodgers saga with the Packers.
“I do not know that I necessarily buy that,” Berry said of the potential for a quarterback carousel this offseason across the NFL. “I think that has come with a lot of speculation in terms of the [quarterbacks available].”
Last offseason, the Rams swapped Jared Goff, who took them to a Super Bowl with the Lions for Matthew Stafford, who just won them the Super Bowl.
Some say the Browns should take note.
Mayfield is entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract after the Browns exercised the option last offseason but did not sign him to an extension.
In 2021 it was Mayfield’s left shoulder, inaccuracy and hesitancy that was the problem. Could the contract be one in 2022?
“I think No. 1, that is probably a better question for Baker,” Berry said. “Just knowing Baker, I think he is pretty focused on the task at hand. One of the realities of professional sports is you have a number of guys across the league who may play with one year left on their deal so it is not like that is an exception for any individual player, and I think that can impact different players differently quite frankly. That being said, the guys in our building who have been in that situation have typically handled those circumstances well because at the end of the day, you only have so little time and you really do not have a lot of time to think about that.
“Certainly in season, your focus really has to be on your work and preparing so that ultimately you can perform on the field as well as possible, and when that happens and you are a good citizen off the field, that stuff takes care of itself.”
