What do the Browns’ top people think — really think — of quarterback Baker Mayfield?

Indeed, what do General Manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski think — not what they say, but what they really, truly think — of Mayfield as their franchise quarterback? Have they already made a decision about him? Or is the jury still out as far as they’re concerned?

Aside from the team’s furious push through these final two games to make the playoffs, the decision on Mayfield is the Browns’ No. 1 issue right now, and has been for a while.

I read with great interest Stefanski’s answer in Thursday’s media session when asked about Mayfield’s growth this season in the second year of the offense, understanding that the quarterback has dealt with adversity and would personally like to have played better at times.

“I think for Baker, it is so similar to our team,” Stefanski said. “We have been inconsistent. Coaches, we have been inconsistent. We just have not consistently done it at a high level enough. That is what happens when you have the record we have and some of the opportunities that we have talked about in the past. For all of us, we are just searching for that consistency. Really for all of us, we have to double down on how we prepare. I think you guys know Baker. He works very, very hard at this. He grinds. The quarterback room with him, (quarterback) Case (Keenum), (quarterback) Nick (Mullens), AVP (offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt) and (offensive assistant) T.C. McCartney, those guys spend a lot of time on this and making sure they are ultra-prepared to play.”

Stefanski refuses to show his hand as to what he thinks. Berry is the same way. They are concerned about the offense’s lack of production, but say it is a problem of the entire unit, not just Mayfield. However, with the quarterback being the most important position in team sports, it is up to Mayfield more than any other player to get the offense going.

By Steve King