Browns' Kevin Stefanski Anticipates 'Bounce Back' From Baker Mayfield

The Cleveland Browns continue to fade out of the playoff picture, but head coach Kevin Stefanski isn't too concerned with quarterback Baker Mayfield's poor performance.

Mayfield threw a career-high four interceptions in Saturday's 24-22 loss to the Green Bay Packers, with his final pick of the night sealing the win for the Packers.

“Baker told you guys, I’m sure the other night, he didn’t play up to his standard. And we expect him to play at a high level,” Stefanski said, per Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot. “I think confidence-wise, with the quarterback position, you get too much credit, you get too much blame. And that’s just how it is. And he’ll bounce back and I think he’ll be better for it.”

This season, Mayfield is completing 62.4% of his passes for 2,825 yards with 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and his passer rating is down from 95.9 in 2020 to 86.1 in 2021. Despite having a solid third season, the quarterback has visibly taken a step back in performance this season with even his interception rate nearly being doubled.

But heading into this week's game, Mayfield had not practiced with his teammates in over a week as he — along with Stefanski and many players — were in COVID protocols. Earlier this season, the quarterback injured the labrum in his non-throwing shoulder during Week 2's win over the Houston Texans and further injured the same shoulder in Week 6's loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Mayfield led the walk-through the team had early Saturday, but OutKick's Armando Salguero reports that was the greatest part of his on-field work in preparing for the game against the Packers.

While the Browns (7-8) aren't completely out of the playoff picture, the team will need to perform much better than they have been to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7) and Cincinnati Bengals (9-6) and have a shot to win the AFC North.

Read Armando Salguero’s column on what the loss could signify for the future of the Browns and Baker Mayfield.

Follow Meg Turner on Twitter @Megnturner_ and Instagram @Megnturner.

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