Expect the Cleveland Browns offense to make a big jump in 2020.
The Cleveland Browns embark on 2020 flying under the radar. Not many power rankings have those orange helmets in their top 15. Many national pundits are likely jaded by picking the Browns to end their playoff drought a season ago, so after the 2019 flop, prognosticators are moving forward with a “Buyer Beware” attitude.
That’s just fine by me. Remember when no one expected anything from this downtrodden franchise. That’s part of the reason 2018 was so much fun. When Gregg Williams took over and the offense started to hum, the Browns went 5-3 in the final eight games and all of a sudden became the “It” team to watch.
Well, Williams is long gone, and while Freddie Kitchens lasted one season longer, he’s become a memory, too. The resurrection of the offense may be simple as saying it’s all about Kevin Stefanski, the new first-year head coach.
From the 50,000-foot view, that’s true. If Stefanski trends toward Kitchens, the Browns will stink and we’ll likely be scouting quarterbacks through mock drafts come next winter.
Here’s three reasons the offense will be resurrected under Stefanski, reminding the Dawg Pound in the process, of the promise we saw in 2020.
1. Browns will run it…there’s proof
The Browns possess Nick Chubb, arguably, the best running back in the league. For the final eight games of 2020, he was joined by former rushing champ Kareem Hunt. It’s a pretty lethal tandem that will give headaches to opposing offensive coordinators.
Even with this dynamic duo, the Browns ranked No. 22 in rushing attempts. Meanwhile, in Minnesota, Stefanski dialed up 476 rushing attempts as the Vikings offensive coordinator. This mark was the fourth highest total in the league.
While’s it’s easy to say “they’re going to run it more,” the Browns offseason moves back it up. Free agent addition Jack Conklin and rookie left tackle just don’t benefit Baker Mayfield. These guys can block and have been tapped because they possess the ability to operate in the new zone blocking scheme.
The addition of tight end Austin Hooper, in addition to retaining David Njoku, also are indicative of the Browns plan to use multiple tight-end sets. Some of those playcalls will be passes, but running the ball is certainly an option as well. With the Browns changes, though, the play call will be better disguised, in theory.
2. Baker Mayfield and footwork
It was less than 12 months ago when Baker Mayfield came off as the guy who had all the answers. He was coming off a season in which he set the rookie record for touchdown passes.
In the offseason, he was presented with multiple national commercial deals. Heck, Tom Brady passed him rings in that notable “NFL 100” ad.
The Browns loaded up on talent and Mayfield looked like he was going to be the next big thing. Then he went on to throw interceptions. A lot of interceptions. More than he’d ever thrown before. The once accurate Heisman Trophy who we thought had all the answers, had none.
Then, toward the end of whole debacle, Mayfield was asked about imposing this offseason and what changes he would make. When asked if he would hire a private quarterback coach, Mayfield said no, adding the following exchange.
"“I do not need somebody to teach me how to do a three-step drop,” Mayfield said back in December of 2019."
Mayfield may not of hired a private coach, but he’s working on footwork. In the pandemic world where there are no sports to watch, the former No. 1 pick’s feet have been all the talk.
New offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt wants Mayfield to put his left foot forward in the shotgun. the coach wants to see him take some of the “giant stagger step he has out.”
Team brass is making a friendly suggestion, either. As Cleveland.com’s Terry Pluto pointed out, by publicly discussing this change in press conference, Mayfield is being expected to make the change.
If it works, Mayfield should go back on the upward trend and leave behind the struggles that plagued him in year two.
Think back to when the Browns ran the zone scheme with Kyle Shanhan as the offensive coordinator in 2014. The system got the best out of Brian Hoyer, who I recall having success running out of play action and bootlegging out the pocket.
I expect to see this from Mayfield in 2020. I think teams were content to let him sit in the pocket last season, and that was a big reason for his slump. He’s at his best when he’s rolling out on a controlled play call.
Ideally, the footwork issue will make it easier for him to maintain balance and give him the time he needs to execute the play.
3. The Forgotten weapons
Can you call Kareem Hunt a forgotten weapon? He’s the 2017 NFL rushing champ who’s still in the prime of his career. He’s behind Nick Chubb, but he’s still a valuable commodity.
As he came off suspension a season ago, there was plenty of excitement about what could be done with Chubb and and Hunt in the same backfield, yet Kitchens never seemed to get it right.
He couldn’t balance the chemistry, and most of the time, as the game progressed, he just neglected to run the ball at all.
If Stefanski is the coach Paul DePodesta believes he is, the first-year boss should be able to weaponize the Chubb-Hunt tandem.
Factor in fullback Andy Janovich, and it gives the offense even more options.
The aforementioned tight-end set should also be a factor. Historically, Mayfield has leaned heavily on tight ends and now he’s got three. Hooper could become his best friend on the field, while I think David Njoku will remind people of why he was a first-round pick, as long as he can avoid injury.
Additionally, recent draft pick Hunter Bryant might become a familiar, face, especially in the red zone.
Hopefully, the stars like Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry give us plenty to celebrate, but the lesser-known weapons promise to play a huge role, as well.