Browns GM: Baker Mayfield 'Focused and Determined' to Put 2019 Season Behind Him

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry has no doubt about Baker Mayfield's mindset heading into the 2020 NFL season.

"I can assure you there is nobody who is more focused and determined to put last year behind him and take a step forward than him," Berry said of Mayfield on ESPN Radio's Golic and Wingo.

For many, Mayfield was an avatar for the Browns' underwhelming 2019 campaign, which ended with one fewer victory than the year before despite the additions of a handful of experienced veterans.

The 2018 No. 1 overall draft pick delivered disappointing on-field returns, throwing for 3,827 yards, 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. Football Outsiders ranked him 25th in DYAR (defense-adjusted yards above replacement) among 34 quarterbacks with at least 200 attempts.

Off the field, the confidence Mayfield displayed as a rookie gave way to a more antagonistic attitude. 

To the extent any team would double down on its franchise quarterback, that's what the Browns did this offseason.

They signed Jack Conklin and selected Jedrick Wills Jr. with the No. 10 overall pick to serve as the cornerstones of the offensive line. Cleveland also gave Austin Hooper a four-year, $42 million deal and brought in Case Keenum to simultaneously back up Mayfield and aid in his development.

The hiring of head coach Kevin Stefanski was almost certainly made with Mayfield in mind, too. Stefanski was a quarterbacks coach for the Minnesota Vikings in 2017 and 2018 and the offensive coordinator in 2019.

To say Mayfield is approaching a crossroads in his career would be a stretch since he's only in his third year. Should the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner fail to rebound, however, Cleveland might have reason to start doubting whether his breakout rookie season was more of a mirage than a sign of things to come.