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I would tend to agree also. This offense is a off in almost every way, including a QB who is playing at a level lower than he's ever played before. I am really interested to see some All22 footage of the route running this game, as it looked like so many routes clumped receivers and left few outlets or alternate reads. I don't get how they're using DJ or CMC, and Robbie seems to be playing shallow. Shenault's route was a breath of fresh air, just nice across the middle. I don't remember other routes run similarly or with such oomph.

I suspect that if Mayfield ever has a breakout game, we might see it return somewhat. He's done nothing to earn any swagger, so until he does, if ever, he's gonna be this zombie.

I don't think anyone is defending Mayfield's accuracy. It's the worst of his career. The offense did look better in preseason. And according to reporters, it looks better in practice. Something(s) is not work in-game.

Turn on the Niners vs. Broncos game and watch an actual offense. It's night in day in use, scheme, routes, and execution.

Fixed it: If he was better it would help the QB.

Run blocking grades were always higher for CLE's lines. I would double check that 2nd in 2018 - I don't recall them being higher than 12-18th. In 2021 his tackles were not good. Guards/center were always the strong suit. In 2021, Mayfield was pressured on 8.9% of his dropbacks, .3% higher than Joe Burrow and his infamously bad line. 2020 the line was legit and uninjured.

Stop being reasonable. We want to overreact!

I watched all of Mayfield's games in Cleveland, and this looks like, for the first time, the QB all the Mayfield-hater's described. There are so many possible reasons that could explain his poo play - from the lack of time to gel, to poor recovery from last years injury, to the yips, to the high school offense, to being 'ruined'. However, it doesn't really matter. He's going to have to transcend it all, or he's running the real risk of ending up a backup next year and getting bench this year. Mayfield made his bones as an underdog overcoming adversity, so, if he can tap into that and transcend the excuses, he's got a chance -- because the Carolina offense, except for the second half of game one, has been the worst I've seen Mayfield play in (worse than the Kitchen's season even). Aside from the bottom tier QB play, i've been surprised about Mayfield's demeanor. He's carrying himself like he's on Prozac or something. He seems muted, detached. I imagine it might be because of his past issues and trying to stay professional, but I can't help but wonder if that's killing his spark.

These are the same questions I have. Foreman has run well when given the chance. CMC up the gut seems like a great way to get 3 yards and an injured HB. Higgins was Mayfield's best receiver in CLE and makes contested catches. Give Mayfield a security blanket until he gets his confidence back. I watch other games and the checkdowns are effortless. For Carolina, it looks like a small miracle to make them happen. TMJ should never see the field again with Shenault and Higgins.

The OL in CLE was not great, at least not in 3 of 4 years. Regardless, this is the worst Mayfield there has been. Make up any reasons you like, but this is not even the same QB who played with one shoulder last year.

OBJ had a 1000 yard season with Mayfield in his first season. His knees and lack of effort killed his career in Cleveland. He had the same splits with Mayfield and Stafford. The only key difference is LA throws in the redzone, and CLE runs Chubb/Hunt or targets TEs.

Yeah. I think you are right. I figured it'd take Mayfield to game 6 to start clicking, based on the off-season acquisition timeline, but that was predicated on him playing in an even a semi-functional offense. Mayfiled also seem like he's got a case of the yips or something. Between playing through his injury and coming to Panthers, Mayfield has played his out of millions and millions. McAdoo needs to evolve this offense or it's gonna be long, ugly season.

This is the worst version of Baker Mayfield I've seen - including post-game 6 injured 2021 Mayfield. I gotta think Rhule, McAdoo are getting the worst out of Mayfield for a reason - or several reasons.

Go back to the cesspool that is remaining Brown’s fandom. I left that shitty fanbase to avoid having to hear ridiculous perspectives like this anymore. Why are you following us here? Did you search out of the Huddle just to come spill nonsense? Mayfield is off the Browns, get over it and go back and support your serial sexual predator. We have plenty of us who followed the Browns and Mayfield through the years who clearly understand the Browns, Football, and Mayfield (and his flaws) better than your rant is offering here.

I would agree. I think he's proved he's starting caliber, with an upside of near top 10 to low 20s. And he did that while playing in the worst pro sports franchise in the United States, through multiple regime changes and coaches. He's not playing well yet here in Carolina, where no QB has played well under Rhule. I think he should be able to play better, but he's got a lot of heavy lifting to do here. It would be much easier if the offense played to its strengths more, used CMC in ways that were more historically successful, as opposed to running him up the gut or pass-blocking -- until Mayfield gets more comfortable and can start bringing Moore and Robbie into the game with his excellent deep ball.

Hahah. That is an oddly specific example.

While I tend to agree with you, having followed Mayfield's arrival onto Cleveland, the one precise thing no Mayfield detractor ever wants to address is "context." They view it as "more excuses." I didn't even know who Mayfield really was when he was drafted by CLE in 2018, but the coverage of him in Ohio was like this from the start and continues as the mode. Context and Mayfield tell his whole story, in Cleveland and now here. Unless he starts winning here, or putting up crazy numbers, it will continue. I've personally just been trying to figure out what Mayfield is (or could be) in the league. My fear is after last season, on and off the field, and coming off injury, and now trying to overcome Rhule, that he might be ruined. Cleveland has an epic capacity of ruining quarterbacks, so Mayfield would not be the first, or likely last, but Mayfield certainly left Cleveland better than he found it.

As someone who followed this very closely, I would not put the maturity concerns on Mayfield. Mayfield played an entire season with a season ending injury, and the FO office informed him during the draft that he would be their starting QB, then secretly pursued Watson. In comparison, other teams informed their incumbent QBs that they were doing so and allowed them to seek trades (compare Mayfield's treatment by CLE to Ryans by ATL). When your bosses lie and misrepresent and disrespect you - do you want to work for them? Especially after you've been working sick, or injured? Everything since we've seen from CLE's front office, how they handled Watson just confirms that the maturity issues are on their side.

They wanted to move on from him for a variety of reasons, primarily of which is they did not view him as "Elite." He was slated to be their starting QB when their overtures to Watson were rejected by Watson. At this point, Mayfield demanded a trade, have felt they misrepresented the Brown's stance. This pushed the Browns' to re-proposition Watson with an increase and a full guarantee. If Mayfield doesn't make his public goodbye to Clevelands fans and demand a trade, it's possible he is still their QB this season. Mayfield would not play for them anymore, however. I do not think, however, unless he played lights out in 2022, that they would have extended him. He is the wrong QB for Stefanski.

They wanted to move on from him for a variety of reasons, primarily of which is they did not view him as "Elite." He was slated to be their starting QB when their overtures to Watson were rejected by Watson. At this point, Mayfield demanded a trade, have felt they misrepresented the Brown's stance. This pushed the Browns' to re-proposition Watson with an increase and a full guarantee. If Mayfield doesn't make his public goodbye to Clevelands fans and demand a trade, it's possible he is still their QB this season. Mayfield would not play for them anymore, however. I do not think, however, unless he played lights out in 2022, that they would have extended him. He is the wrong QB for Stefanski.

The reason is because he asked to be traded and would not have played for them this season. Their relationship was fractured.

I'm not as down on Mayfield as others, in general, having watched him play since he entered the league, and with being in this new (unideal) situation, however, 55% is not good. Drops haven't helped, route and timing issues and communications (on QB or WR or both) aren't helping, but Mayfield is not throwing accurately, and he needs to fix it. He was one of the more accurate passers in college, and opened 2021 with the highest % in the league, so he's more than capable of bringing that back up above 60, and ideally higher. But, we don't need to excuse 55% passing. Also, we should not expect to see that number continue. He'll get more accurate as the season goes along, assuming he's not benched or killed behind the OL's poor unit play (but strong individual play).

York missing FGs and dinking extra points. But to stop a week 1 comeback, hits from 58 with seconds left. C'mon!

What "-minded" coach is Rhule? Press-conference-minded?

This has been my hope. Let Mayfield work outside of structure and just drop deep balls to DJ and Robbie, or dump balls off to CMC and let him juke his way to glory.