The Browns disappointing season is now about over and it's time to move on to next year.  So, now what?  This season has been a failure by any measuring stick and the process now demands that we plug the holes and get the ship upright.

An easy target has been Baker Mayfield, and I feel that holding him solely responsible is lazy, convenient and not well thought through.  True, he has not played overly well for many reasons, the two major ones - being hurt since week two, and Kevin Stefanski who did him no favors at all the entire season.  Baker could have been rested some to heal the best he could, and the Stefanski play calling all year long was nothing short of the worst in the league. And that more than anything has to be cleaned up, or we will be right here again next year.   Last night again proved that, Stefanski called a game that was about unwatchable, and horrible and amateurish

Many fans calling for a new QB.  OKAY I'll listen - who?  Fair question, who? Let's check the list of QB avails this off season. Aaron Rodgers?  No way he comes here, and if he leaves Green Bay, he will want something very different, Vegas likely as it is near Hollywood.  Russell Wilson?  No way - he wants big media. Deshaun Watson?  Legal problems everywhere, distractions.  That's the cream of the crop.  Then there's this list. 

Jimmy Garrapolo - possible, but he can't stay anywhere near healthy.  Tua from Miami?  He can hardly get on the field there. Derek Carr?  Is he an upgrade?  Big Ben?  He may be out there, you want him?  Teddy Bridgewater?   C'mon, seriously?  Matt Ryan from Atlanta?  He's about 37, healthy and may be the best of the bunch.  But are any of these a legit upgrade?  If you traded Baker to Atlanta for Ryan, it might be your best deal if you are bent on making one, and that deal is possible. Ryan is a good player and veteran. Could be interesting.

Some say draft a QB.  Well congrats, you just started over from square one and set your team back about 2 or 3 years best scenario.  There is no "can't miss guy"  out there this year.  And some say make a big trade and get someone that no one see's coming, but that's expensive and who knows what others would want.  Truth is, Baker is more than likely the guy next year, so let's get him healthy and let's adjust.

Adjust is the key word. This team must adjust and understand that the ONLY thing that matters is winning! Win any way you have to. Stefanski does not understand this. Win with running, with defense, with special teams, with anything at his disposal. Stefanski only understands winning with a QB throwing the ball40 times a game and that alone has killed his season. His outright refusal to adjust his thinking and style sunk the ship.  He is about solely responsible for all of this.  I am not saying fire Stefanski, in fact just the opposite. Grow, adjust, and understand what you have.  Asking a very compromised QB all year to win you big games when there were other options and ways to do it was just bone-headed.

Sure, injuries, COVID, bad breaks and a brutal schedule, especially on the road made this a tough season. The Browns learned a few things. Consistency is the key.  You must beat good teams, and no more moral victories. You must FIND A WAY to win games no matter what. And I said it before the season started, you are going nowhere, until you start beating the Steelers twice a year! Period.  Think about this, two wins this year against them?  You're in the playoffs.  (Beat The Steelers Twice?)

Complain all you want about Baker. I am not a huge fan, but he did not lose the Kansas City game (special teams did). He did not lose the Charger game (defense did).  He did not lose the first Steelers game (play calling did).  He did not lose the first Ravens game (Stefanski did).  He did not lose the Raider game (play calling did).  All of those games if managed better from the sidelines were wins.  Very sad, but in the end, you win on the field.

Coach, next year, please put the team first and your ego somewhere else. Adopt the Raider Nation mantra "Just Win Baby".  The Browns players, and the fans deserve better.  Can Baker be better? Of course, let's get healthy and go from there. I don't see a better option out there if winning right now is the goal.

GO BROWNS~!!