Baker Mayfield Could Face a Reunion With the Browns
Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield could be reunited with former Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield could have a familiar face as offensive coordinator next year. Bay Bay Buckers belongs to an attack and an interview with Alex Wang Pelt launched at Cleveland at the end of the season.
On Monday, January 30, Bucs decided to rent. Dave Canales was Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator last season but left for the head coaching job with the Carolina Panthers.
Van Pelt is an intriguing prospect for the Bucs, who expect to return Mayfield at quarterback next season. He taught Mayfield, a previous selection in Cleveland for several seasons. This included a great 2020 campaign with Mayfield 3,563 yards with 26 touchdowns and eight intercepts.
Van Pelt joined Kevin Stefanski in 2020 as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. But it wasn’t a typical lineup for Van Pelt, who didn’t run the game. That was the responsibility of Stefanski, who assumed the role of stage caller upon arrival.
Baker Mayfield, Bucs are having an incredible season
Van Pelt spoke highly of Mayfield when he was hired by the Browns. “Playing against him the last few years shows what kind of competitor he is,” Van Pelt said in 2020. “He gets on the court, he loves the game, he plays. If he has passion, that’s all you look for in a great player.”
Things took a turn for the worse for Cleveland’s Mayfield when he suffered a shoulder injury in the 2021 season. Deshaun Watson was acquired in a trade for the 2022 season and Mayfield was sent to the Panthers. Van Pelt could have a season-long opportunity to resurrect his career in Tampa Bay with a healthy Mayfield. Mayfield and the Bucs lived up to expectations this season, winning the NFC South and Wild Card game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The former Browns draft pick shined, passing for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Mayfield scored 94.6 points.
Mayfield is set to become a free agent and has yet to commit to being the Bucs starter next season. But it seems clear the team will take another look at him for a franchise tag or long-term deal. “I like this group,” Mayfield said after the Jan. 21 loss to the Lions. “I’ve been saying that all year. And it’s real. I am serious. It means a lot to me to take so many important pieces, put them back together and go into the second year of the system and you can make great progress. “I’d love to do that.”
Browns hire Ken Dorsey to replace Alex Van Pelt.
The Browns replaced Van Pelt with former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. The move was announced during the AFC Championship on Sunday.
Dorsey, the former QB Browns itself, is famous for his work with the quarter of Cam Newton and Josh Allen. Cleveland.com Browns, Mary Kay Cabot, believes it is a great advantage for Dorsey, while the team evaluates the candidate.
“[Deorsey’s] experience working with dual-threat players like Allen and former Panthers tight end Cam Newton was also a big plus. “Deshaun Watson admires Allen’s game and has a close relationship with Newton,” Cabot reported on Jan. 29. The Browns hope to capitalize on a full Pro Bowl season from Watson. He has played in just 12 games since joining the blockbuster trade. The Browns gave up three first-round picks and gave Watson a fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million. He allowed himself to live out his time in Cleveland.
