With Cleveland Brown missing out on the playoffs, their quarterback Baker Mayfield also announced that he would have surgery at the end of the season to repair his injured left shoulder plyolar lip. Since the second week of the season, the quarterback has been plagued by a left shoulder injury.
But while Brown has missed the playoffs, Mayfield has not ruled out a weekend game between the team and the Tigers, and Mayfield said he would consult with his family and agent before making a final decision.
"I'm a very enterprising person," Mayfield said in a post-match interview with the Steelers, "and I should first consider what is best for my health."
Mayfield's injury could have been exacerbated in a recent game against the Steelers, who was shot nine times in the entire game and intercepted twice. In the first half, Mayfield had ten consecutive passes unfinished for a period of time, which is the longest consecutive pass unfinished since 2019, according to ESPN statistics. Mayfield is also the first quarterback since 2017 to be tackled five times in a single game, and there are five passes without crossing the first offensive line.
"Things won't always go well, but I know I'm a fighter and will fight to the end," Mayfield said, "and if anyone questions me, you can watch the footage of my game." I may not be perfect, but I keep moving forward until I become the person I want to be."
Indeed, Mayfield is a warrior, and in addition to his left shoulder, he has been battling injuries to his left shoulder and right knee throughout the season. "When I was in poor physical condition and still needed to fight, we were really beaten up. But no way, I did play at my full level today."
Brown, who previously chose to execute Mayfield's $18.86 million fifth-year rookie contract, will become a free agent after 2022 ends.
(Text/Geng Haoyang)