Browns: Jarvis Landry would go to war for Baker Mayfield

The Cleveland Browns wide receiver is defending his quarterback for the long haul. 

The Cleveland Browns will have everything going against them as the AFC playoffs draw near. Players are now dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak and the team will be doing its part to best prepare.

Perhaps the biggest loss will be of their head coach Kevin Stefanski. The first-year man in command tested positive along with two other coaches and will be out for the AFC Wild Card Round against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will serve as the acting head coach. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt will call the offensive plays in lieu of Stefanski.

The attention now turns to Baker Mayfield, who will be playing in his first postseason game. Although drafted No.1 and becoming the first Browns’ quarterback to take Cleveland to the playoffs since 2002, the verdict is still out on him long-term.

However, if you were to ask wide receiver Jarvis Landry on Mayfield’s status, he would say the former top choice is worth fighting for.

Mayfield could quiet the doubters Sunday night

The Browns have been preparing for the Steelers remotely all week, according to multiple reports. Mayfield also admitted on Thursday that he has yet to throw a pass since the team’s 24-22 victory over the Steelers in Week 17.

That, however, won’t affect the outcome of Sunday’s game.

“Just adapt and play,” Mayfield told reporters. “It’s win or go home. So whoever we have out there, we’re counting on them. And we believe in those people. … it’s hitting the curveball and adjusting each day.”

Mayfield finished the regular season completing 62.8 percent of his passes for 3,563 yards with 26 touchdowns and a career-low eight interceptions. Although the Browns relied on the 1-2 combination of Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb, Mayfield did expand his status as the starter moving forward.

Landry is one of many players who has supported Mayfield through a trying season. If the team can somehow pull out a victory against the Steelers, fans should start to believe he’s the franchise guy well beyond 2021.