Browns: 4 expectations for Baker Mayfield in 2021

3. AFC title game appearance

The Steelers playoff victory was a night Browns fans will never forget, but now, it’s time to look at the bigger picture, getting to the Super Bowl.

And while I’m hedging on placing that burden on Baker Mayfield in 2021, the fourth-year signal caller should, at the least, get his team into the AFC championship game.

They’d have been there last season if the refs would’ve flagged a helmet-to-helmet hit on Rashard Higgins, but ugh, I digress.

The Browns have done everything possible to build off the offense and are using this offseason to build up the defense. The window to win really comes within the next two years with Mayfield still playing under his rookie deal. Having him on an affordable pact has helped the Browns sign free agents such as Jack Conklin and John Johnson.

Additionally, big money is coming due, as Nick Chubb and Denzel Ward will be looking for new contracts.

Coming off a season in which the Browns were a game away from playing for the AFC title, and with the team improved, it’s perfectly reasonable to expect Mayfield to get his team this far.