What Baker Mayfield likely meant in Kurt Warner interview by ‘a lot of internal’ noise that’s been ‘tricky’ this season: Mary Kay Cabot

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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Baker Mayfield dropped a mini-bombshell in an interview with Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner that aired on NFL Network Sunday morning, alluding to discord inside the building as the Browns headed into their big rematch with the Ravens.

When Warner asked Warner about all of the criticism he takes, Mayfield said:

“It comes down to trying to find an even balance of listening to those opinions around you that truly matter, friends, family, teammates, and that’s been the tricky part about this year, has been a lot of internal things. It hasn’t just been the outside noise.

“I have to be myself and try and do my job 100%. The guys that truly know me understand that. We need to take care of business in the building, and I need to be myself for these guys.’'

So what did Mayfield mean by “a lot of internal things” that he’s heard this season?

For starters, there’s been a disconnect all season between Mayfield and Kevin Stefanski in terms of playcalling. Whether or not they’ve discussed it behind closed doors, it exists, sources tell cleveland.com.

As the Browns head into this crucial stretch, it’s something that must be addressed. Specifically, there’s a feeling that the Browns haven’t played to Mayfield’s strengths this season, but that’s also been hard because he’s been so banged up. One source told cleveland.com that Mayfield isn’t the only offensive player who hasn’t been enamored with the playcalling.

Mayfield has also been criticized at times by the team’s own in-house radio show, Cleveland Browns Daily, and that hasn’t always played well, a source said.

The Odell Beckham Jr. saga also brought its own set of issues, which had a ripple effect on the team. Many players came out in support of Beckham in the wake of his father, Odell Beckham Sr., sharing the “Odell Beckham Jr. is always open video.’' The support of Beckham at such a difficult and emotional time was hard on Mayfield, and the ordeal took its toll.

There’s also been a major disconnect this season between Mayfield and the Browns in regards to the messaging over his injuries this season. The Browns have consistently stated that Mayfield has been healthy enough to win this season, and that his injuries haven’t negatively impacted his play. Stefanski and Alex Van Pelt have downplayed Mayfield’s injuries (torn labrum in his left shoulder, bruised heel and knee, groin), and Mayfield has played them up all season, including before the Lions game when he said he was “the most beat up he’s ever been.”

Before sitting out the Broncos game on Thursday Night Football on Oct. 21, Mayfield revealed to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer that he had a fractured humerus bone in the left shoulder as well as the fully torn labrum, which will be repaired after the season.

Another source said some defensive players have been frustrated with Mayfield’s inability to put points on the board this season, although they’ve all been publicly supportive. Mayfield, who has plenty of support from his teammates, has likely heard some of the rumblings under the surface this season from others.

Many of the internal issues will resolve themselves if the Browns beat the Ravens today and keep their playoff hopes alive. But there are systemic issues that must be addressed before Mayfield and the Browns negotiate in earnest on a long-term extension.

On a brighter note, Mayfield (left shoulder, knee, heel, groin) said he feels much better physically than he did before the bye.

“Night and day compared to where I was heading into last week, which is great for me,’' he said. “If your lower body’s not able to move around, especially with me, my violent throwing motion, how I plant, how I torque, I need my feel good and I’m in a much better place right now.’'

He said he knows exactly what he must do down the stretch.

“Hone in on the little details for us as an offense,’' he said. “Play my position at the highest level I can, and distribute the ball and be the leader I know I am. So for me, that’s doing my job at a high level one week at a time and push these guys to do the same.”

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