CLEVELAND, Ohio — Baker Mayfield was eager to hit the ground running in OTAs this spring and not waste time like the Browns did last year under Freddie Kitchens.
In addition to Kitchens not having his act together by the time the players rolled in for the offseason program in April, Odell Beckham Jr. wasn’t physically or mentally ready to participate and Landry had just been diagnosed with a fractured sacrum, which ultimately led to the hip injury that required surgery on Feb. 4.
But instead of Mayfield having his two star wideouts around, they’re both coming off surgeries that will sideline them for all or part of the offseason.
Landry, who’s never missed an NFL game, aims to be back at some point in training camp, but he’ll likely have to ease his way back into the lineup. While the Browns say a full recovery is expected, he’ll undoubtedly sit out some or all of the four preseason games. He’ll also miss the entire on-field installation of Kevin Stefanski’s new offense in spring practices.
Beckham, wary of injury, hopes to avoid preseason games. So Mayfield can’t count on working on his in-game timing and rhythm with him before the season.
A month into his recovery from Jan. 21 core muscle surgery, Beckham posted video running on a treadmill on Instagram Thursday, and a league source estimates he’ll be healthy in a month. But that doesn’t mean he’ll participate fully in the offseason program, which begins April 6 for teams with new head coaches. Beckham doesn’t believe OTAs are necessary to build chemistry, and that only in-game reps will improve his timing with Mayfield.
So it’s back to Mayfield throwing to guys who mostly won’t be on the field with him when games matter. Last season, Beckham and Landry were also limited during the practice week, and it sometimes showed on game day. Of Mayfield’s 21 interceptions, 15 were passes intended for Landry (8) and Beckham (7). Landry’s were tied for most in the NFL and Beckham’s were tied for the second-highest total.
What’s more, Beckham will be expected to run precise timing routes this season instead of freelancing to shake off double teams.
“You have to be at the right place at the right time every time as a receiver,’’ offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said. “The freelancing is not a big part of the system. There are times that you will do that to get a little creative, but the quarterback needs to know when those times are and things need to time up.”
In addition to missing his top two receivers, Mayfield will be working on the footwork changes Van Pelt has implemented, leading with his left foot in the shotgun and on three-step drops. Always a quick study, Mayfield should have no problem with the switch, but it’s one more adjustment in an offseason of change.
Then, of course, he’ll be working with his fourth head coach and offensive coordinator in only his third NFL season, learning the Gary Kubiak version of the West Coast offense that Stefanski called in Minnesota last year. It’s a QB-friendly scheme featuring a dedicated run game and plenty of play-action. But it’s still new terminology and a new offense.
On the bright side for Mayfield, who tumbled to second-last in the NFL with a 78.8 rating, he’ll get excellent coaching this season from longtime QB-coach Van Pelt, he’ll have an overhauled offensive line and a playbook more suited to his skill set. When Beckham and Landry are fully recovered, they should fare better than last season, when they fought through pain on a daily basis.
Mayfield is accustomed to adversity and embraces challenge. Good thing, because he has a lot on his plate this offseason, with his two Pro Bowl wideouts on the mend.
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