There is a school of thought permeating a lot of the media, both local and national, that the Cleveland Browns might be better off not having injured wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. on the field. That school does not hold any class with the Browns themselves.
Just ask them.
It was the predominant theme of the press conferences on Wednesday. Both quarterback Baker Mayfield and head coach Kevin Stefanski disgustedly dismissed the notion that losing Beckham is a net positive for the Browns offense.
“One, I think it’s just completely insensitive to a guy who just tore his ACL,” Mayfield responded when asked about the idea. “So I’m not even going to comment on it. You never want to lose guys. That’s where I’m going to leave that one.”
Stefanski tried to dismiss it with a simple answer, “I do reject that.”
He had to elaborate a little more when presented with some statistical backing that Mayfield is more efficient with Beckham doesn’t play.
“I am not smart enough to make an argument for that,” he said. “I will just tell you I would much rather have No. 13 on the field if available to us.”
