After the disappointing 2021 season, the Cleveland Browns are still searching for causes. Franchise quarterback Baker Mayfield, in particular, is coming under increasing criticism, and those in charge are reportedly already looking for alternatives. Meanwhile, he is receiving support from within the team.

Munich – The ambitions of the Cleveland Browns before the 2021 season were high. Very high, in fact.

Many experts thought the team from Ohio had a realistic chance of making it to the Super Bowl, as they had only narrowly failed to make it to the Kansas City Chiefs the year before.

The defence, in particular, was considered one of the best units in the league, and many also believed that the offence, with its dominant running game and the efficiency of quarterback Baker Mayfield, would take the next step.

But everything turned out differently. Injuries quickly decimated the hopeful defence and the offence was also repeatedly weakened by painful absences. As a result, Head Coach Kevin Stefanski’s team never really got going and ended the season with a record of eight wins and nine losses.

Because the team wants to get back on track in the new year, they are now looking to make the right adjustments. The role of playmaker Mayfield is increasingly coming into focus.

Baker Mayfield: Are those responsible looking around for alternatives?

Nearly three weeks before the start of Free Agency and two months before the draft, the Browns still haven’t extended Mayfield’s contract despite lengthy talks – as of now, the 26-year-old would be entering his final year of his contract.

This raises more and more the question whether all those in charge in Cleveland are really fully convinced of the former number one pick. As “CBS” now reports, the franchise actually wants to keep all options open.

According to the report, Mayfield is currently being planned as the starter for the coming season. However, should a better option arise via trade, free agency or draft, the franchise would not hesitate to take it.

For it is not just Mayfield’s performance that is said to have the bosses frowning. The playmaker was plagued by shoulder problems all season, which was evident in his throwing motion. He eventually underwent surgery immediately after the season, and the coaches are hoping for a return at the start of training camps.

Cleveland Browns: What options do the bosses have?

The question for the officials, of course, is what alternatives would actually be an upgrade over Mayfield. The Browns have been repeatedly mentioned as a possible taker should superstars like Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers actually hit the trade market.

According to the “CBS” report, the Browns would then and indeed only then pick up the phone to make an offer. With mediocre options like Kirk Cousins or Jimmy Garoppolo, there would be no guarantee that it would actually be an improvement over Mayfield.

So if a blockbuster trade doesn’t materialise, a cheap veteran free agent like Teddy Bridgewater, Marcus Mariota or Mitch Trubisky should be lured to Cleveland instead to duke it out with Mayfield for the starter spot.

The Browns currently hold the 13th pick in the April draft, but it’s considered unlikely that it will be used on another quarterback. Rather, scouts here would have their eyes on one of the talented young receivers to make life easier for Mayfield – or the Browns’ new quarterback – in the upcoming season.

Pressure is on Mayfield – support from the team

The situation could hardly be more tricky from Mayfield’s point of view. One little move to another team could set off a whole avalanche in the quarterback carousel, possibly costing him a long-term starter’s spot in the league. If he remains the Browns’ quarterback, he will be under close scrutiny and any small mistake could mean a spot on the bench for him.

“There’s nobody in the league with more pressure on him than Baker Mayfield,” former NFL star Robert Griffin III, who was still active for the Browns in 2016, also said recently. “He needs to have a year like Joe Flacco, where he leads the way and wins a Super Bowl, or no one will be convinced by him,” the ex-quarterback told “ESPN”.

However, Mayfield has one trump card on his side that cannot be ignored. Within the team he enjoys a high standing and is praised from all sides. “He’s my quarterback. He’s staying with us, we’re staying with him,” defensive superstar and franchise face Myles Garrett most recently told “TMZ.”

The coming weeks will be extremely exciting for Mayfield and Co. Thus, there could be landmark decisions for him personally, but also for the Browns. Before he can prove to the world what he is made of in a Browns jersey, he might already have fallen victim to the title hunger in Cleveland.