CLEVELAND — It is no secret that Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield had his fair share of struggles during the 2019 regular season, and because of his in-your-face approach to the game, he drew criticism during and since posting a 6-10 record in a year full of heightened expectations.
Mayfield was the subject of more criticism during All Elite Wrestling’s Cleveland and Ohio debuts at the Cleveland State University Wolstein Center Wednesday night when women’s division star, Dr. Britt Baker, a Pittsburgh native, alluded to the Browns’ quarterback struggles.
“Cleveland, you now have a Baker you can trust in,” Baker said to the crowd, who serenaded her with a loud chorus of boos, as well as derogatory chants toward her hometown of Pittsburgh.
Mayfield saw a significant drop in production during his second professional season, as his completion percentage and touchdowns went down and the interceptions went up by seven as he became the franchise’s first quarterback in 18 years to start all 16 games.
Mayfield completed 317 of his 534 attempts (59.4 percent) for 3,827 yards and 22 touchdowns against 21 interceptions in 2019 after completing 310 of his 486 throws (63.8 percent) with an NFL rookie-record 27 touchdowns against 14 picks during the 2018 season.
Mayfield and the Browns struggled to find consistency on offense despite the presence of standout running back Nick Chubb and Pro Bowl-caliber wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry.
Chubb rushed for 1,494 yards and eight touchdowns on 298 carries for an average of 5.0 yards per attempt.
Beckham Jr. reunited with a former Louisiana State University teammate in Landry and former position coach Adam Henry in 2019, and they finished the season Nos. 1 and 2 on the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns among wide receivers.
Landry converted his 83 receptions into 1,174 yards, a 14.1 yards-per-reception average and a team-best six touchdowns, while Beckham Jr. gained 1,035 yards and scored four touchdowns on his 74 catches. Beckham Jr. averaged 14.0 yards per reception.