Browns QB Baker Mayfield should stick to new social media strategy, leave 'Baker bros' to worry about drama

Baker Mayfield vowed late Sunday night on Twitter to scale back his use of social media because of its “toxic” nature.

Good idea.

It's a plan Mayfield really should follow.

On Tuesday night, Mayfield took it a step further, saying via Instagram he would be "getting off all social media for the foreseeable future."

"Gotta do what's best to focus on me, my family and loved ones," Mayfield added. "Appreciate all the support. Time to get right."

Couldn't agree more.

The reaction of the Browns quarterback was apparently spurred by criticism from 92.3 The Fan radio personality Dustin Fox, a former NFL player who attended Ohio State and GlenOak High School.

On the “Bull and Fox” show he co-costs, Fox said Monday afternoon Mayfield had him blocked on Twitter but unblocked him and liked one of his tweets over the weekend.

Mayfield liked the following tweet Fox wrote as superstar quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen dueled Sunday night during the Kansas City Chiefs' 42-36 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills in an AFC divisional-round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium: “Do you folks see why what you have at quarterback just isn’t good enough? #Browns.”

Coming off a disappointing, injury-riddled season and the shoulder surgery he underwent last week, Mayfield weighed in a bit later.

“Congrats to all teams moving on… some extremely competitive football was played this weekend,” Mayfield tweeted. “Was entertaining to watch. Would absolutely much rather be playing, but was fun to watch.

“Nevertheless… social media is toxic. Always kept my circle tight. Time to get back to that. Family and loved ones only.”

Mayfield often talks about ignoring the outside noise, but there are too many examples of him doing the opposite.

Everyone should understand by now Mayfield uses the doubt and skepticism of naysayers to fuel him. He believes it helped him rise from a two-time college walk-on to a Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Oklahoma and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. It's part of his ethos.

Like with most things, a proper balance needs to be struck.

Mayfield has said he's not a cookie-cutter quarterback, and that's fine. Personality is good.

There's nothing wrong with focus and discipline, either.

Browns analysis:What went wrong for Cleveland goes far deeper than Baker Mayfield's injury-plagued season

Mayfield is at a crossroads now. His Browns tenure is on the ropes. If the franchise is going to stick with him as its starter for the next season — General Manager Andrew Berry said Jan. 11 that's the expectation — he ought to position himself mentally and physically to rebound from a disastrous year. And if the Browns happen to change their plan for Mayfield, he must be prepared to resurrect his career elsewhere.

He should adhere to his own advice and make the main thing the main thing. Social media is not the main thing. It is, however, problematic for Mayfield, as evidenced by his wife, Emily, detecting death threats directed toward her husband last month.

We're talking about a player who has conceded he doubted himself during a poor 2019 season. His mindset matters.

Fox didn't back down Monday, and criticism will continue to hit Mayfield from every angle — locally and nationally. Fox loved Mayfield when he entered the league four years ago, but the QB has rubbed plenty of people the wrong way since then. He has a target on his back.

“He's just not that good, and he's a pain in the butt,” Fox said.

Former Pro Bowl quarterback observes:Browns QB Baker Mayfield has been indecisive, uncomfortable, 'Monday Night Football' analyst Brian Griese says

On the field, Mayfield has consistently been inconsistent.

Mayfield catching fire down the stretch in 2020, when the Browns went 12-6, including 1-1 in the playoffs, is evidence he can excel. On the other hand, going 6-8 as a starter en route to the Browns finishing the 2021 season with a record 8-9 is proof the success Mayfield experienced a year earlier isn't easily replicated.

Former NFL agent evaluates quarterback landscape:Will Baker Mayfield be back with Browns? Why contract expert Joel Corry deems QB's return likeliest outcome

Relationship under the microscope:Browns coach Kevin Stefanski says he and Baker Mayfield 'work well together' and respect each other

Yes, Mayfield's play was affected by the completely torn labrum he suffered in his left, non-throwing shoulder in Week 2 and other injuries. The shoulder harness he wore was a factor, too.

No, not all of the circumstances surrounding Mayfield will ever be perfect. The injuries from 2021 were significant, but there will always be some type of adversity to overcome.

“We need so much better at the position,” Fox said. “You have to have a great quarterback, and the AFC is stacked. They're stacked!

“Baker bros are mad at me today, bro. They are mad at me. I stirred the pot last night. People were all fired up. Baker unblocked me. Then he liked my tweet. He's keeping the receipts.”

Browns analysis:After quarterback plan is finalized, Cleveland's offseason must focus on receivers, both lines and keeping key players

Mayfield has dabbled in drama far too much. It's time for him to refrain and let the “Baker bros” worry about it.

Shutting down social-media activity won't keep Mayfield from throwing interceptions, yet he had his quietest offseason in 2020, then played well that year.

It's almost as if eliminating distractions can actually be beneficial.

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb receives recognition after being robbed of it

Chubb finally gets deserved recognition

Three Browns players — running back Nick Chubb, left guard Joel Bitonio and defensive end Myles Garrett — were voted to the 2021 All-NFL team by members of the Professional Football Writers of America.

Chubb did not receive recognition on Jan. 14, when the Associated Press 2021 NFL All-Pro Team was announced.

Bitonio and Garrett were selected first-team All Pro and Browns right guard Wyatt Teller was designated second-team All Pro in voting by 50 members of a nationwide panel of media who regularly cover the league.

Chubb was worthy of second-team All Pro, but he didn't get it as a result of a voting quirk.

Local PFWA awards:Browns writers vote Myles Garrett player of year and Garrett, Joel Bitonio 'Good Guy Award' co-winners

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor became a unanimous first-team All-Pro choice by receiving all 50 votes. Because of this, there were no votes cast for a second-team running back, which was the only spot on the entire All-Pro roster left vacant. Chubb should have been in there.

Despite missing three games (two with a calf injury and one due to COVID-19), Chubb finished runner-up to Taylor for the NFL rushing title.

Some sanity prevailed when both Chubb and Taylor made the PFWA All-NFL team.

Chubb, Bitonio, Garrett, Teller and cornerback Denzel Ward were named Pro Bowl selections in December.

Cleveland Browns notes:Players reflect on what went wrong: 'The football gods do not like Cleveland. What the heck?'

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com.