The Baker Mayfield Cycle Hits 'Criticized By Media' Stage, Browns QB Responds

No matter what Baker and Emily Mayfield say to the media or on Instagram Story, the third-year Browns quarterback and his wife are frustrated with the intense heat leveled at Mayfield for his recent performance. The Cleveland Experience pressure is mounting, irrational Browns fan is furious over the 4-2 record and the national media smells blood in the water.

Less than 24 hours after I blogged about Emily Mayfield nearly snapping at irrational Browns fans, the Cleveland media asked Baker about the national criticism he now faces. "I don't give a damn what they say," Baker said during Wednesday's Zoom press conference. "We know we can be better. I know I can be better. The outside noise doesn't matter. They get paid to talk, and we get paid to do our work...so that's the way it's going to be handled."

Trust me, he gives a damn and the outside noise does matter. His wife all but admitted as much on Monday. The walls are closing in on Mayfield as a fifth-year option decision looms for the Browns. The team has wins over competition with a combined record of 8-15-1, and Baker has completed just 60% of his passes.

"4-2 has never felt so much like 0-6 before, but that's because we have such high expectations for ourselves," Mayfield added.

Behold, the Baker Mayfield Cycle. He underperforms badly against the Steelers, addresses nationwide criticism, adopts an underdog Zoom face on Wednesday, only to respond with a big game against Cincinnati. Once he prevails against the hapless Bengals, he'll tell the media that it's the Browns against the world, and the cycle will reset.