“Didn’t Want to See Him Get Hit One More Time” – Kevin Stefanski Defends Baker Mayfield

It was an evening to forget for Cleveland Browns’ Baker Mayfield and their massive fanbase. The Browns suffered their second loss of the season at the hands of Ben Roethlisberger-led Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. This was their second loss of the season.  Former Oklahoma Sooners star, Baker Mayfield, was subjected to widespread criticism for his below-par display.

The third-year quarterback threw for 119 yards with one TD against two interceptions. He was benched in the second half in favor of backup quarterback Case Keenum. Despite a poor display in Week Six, head coach Kevin Stefanski still claims Baker Mayfield is the first-choice starter in Cleveland.

ALSO READ – Will Justin Herbert Challenge Joe Burrow for the Rookie of the Year Award?

Coach Kevin Stefanski taking no risks with quarterback Baker Mayfield

Cleveland Browns succumbed to a 38-7 loss last night as the Steelers maintained their unbeaten run in the league. Ben Roethlisberger was the standout performer as Mayfield failed to get going and was benched yesterday. Coach Kevin Stefanski addressed the media after Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I didn’t want to see him get hit one more time. He’s a very, very tough player and I know he wants to fight but it’s a long season and we’ve got a game next week.”

“I didn’t feel like it was the right thing to put him back out there. Baker will start as long as he is healthy, and I think he will be,” Stefanski said after the game.

Coach Stefanski defends the selection of Mayfield on Sunday

Kevin Stefanski guided the team to a 4-2 record in his first season with the Cleveland Browns. He was under pressure to play Mayfield on Sunday despite the latter’s chest injury. However, Stefanski revealed that the former Heisman Trophy winner was given the green light to start by medical personnel.

He said, “I think it’s a fair question. He was cleared and he was obviously sore throughout the week but got better. It was incumbent upon myself and how we performed to keep him clean, and we didn’t do that. He answered the bell last week just in terms of how he went through rehab and fought his butt off to get out there with his teammates on Sunday.”

“I think we got away from a lot of things that we were doing to win some ballgames. If you don’t play clean on the road against a good team, you’re not going to come away with a victory,” Stefanski added via NFL Network.

The Browns will take on Cincinnati Bengals in Week Seven. They were clearly the better team when these two teams met earlier this season. Will Baker Mayfield manage to find his ‘mojo’ this weekend?

ALSO READ – Cleveland Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski gives Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham Jr. Update