The Cleveland Browns escaped Sunday’s Week 11 game with a win against the winless Lions, but from how Baker Mayfield reacted, it would have been easy to confuse the result with a loss.
Mayfield had an erratic performance in the 13-10 win, throwing two picks along with 176 yards a touchdown. It was enough to get a win, but Browns fans were frustrated — as was Mayfield himself.
Mayfield was booed by some fans in the crowd after his second interception of the game. He also ended up skipping the mandatary postgame media availability, which wasn’t something Baker has been known to do. On Monday, he was back to talking with reporters, and he said his Sunday absence wasn’t about the fans who booed him.
He did take a jab at those fans, though.
Baker, on the fans that booed him in the second half Sunday: "Those are probably the same fans that won't be quiet while we're on offense and trying to operate. So, don't really care." #Browns pic.twitter.com/muKyxFWdFM
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) November 22, 2021
Mayfield said:
“Those are probably the same fans that won’t be quiet while we’re on offense and trying to operate. So, don’t really care.”
So, he doesn’t really care, but he sort of cares. Still, that wasn’t the kind of response that would go over well with the fans who were frustrated with Baker’s showing.
As for skipping the media obligations, Mayfield said that he was just frustrated about his poor performance and wanted some time to remove emotion from it.
#Browns Baker Mayfield on not talking after the game pic.twitter.com/ioYrlKrYyg
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) November 22, 2021
And despite playing through injuries, shaky games and Odell Beckham drama, the Browns are 6-5 and still have four divisional games left to play. Mayfield will have opportunities to keep fans on his side (or frustrate them even more — also an option).
