Baker Mayfield has developed a bullseye on his back over his first two years in the league.
But Browns guard Joel Bitonio is up for the challenge of keeping his quarterback upright when all their opponents want to do is destroy him.
“It’s one of those things that people, they see Baker’s name, they see him the media, they see some of his quotes and things of that nature, and they want a piece of him,” Bitonio said Wednesday, via the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “And it’s one of those things that we’re going to expect and we’re ready for.
“If that’s the way they motivate themselves to play, I just don’t know how someone can play harder. From my perspective, I don’t know how I could go out on the field and be like, ‘This Baker Mayfield guy did something, so I’m going to play harder today.’”
Monday’s loss to the 49ers was just the latest example as cornerback Richard Sherman claimed Mayfield snubbed his handshake before the game started — which ended up not being true — and defensive end Nick Bosa mocked Mayfield’s flag-planting celebration from college.
“I feel like you’re already at a point as a professional where you’re playing your hardest, at least I hope so,” Bitonio said. “But maybe some guys aren’t at that level. Maybe some guys need it for motivation or to inspire them to do that, but as a professional, I feel like you should be motivated to go out and play.
“But obviously some guys are using it because we’ve heard it multiple times where teams are saying, ‘Yeah, we want to be motivated by this.’ And that’s what they’re using, so we’ve got to step up to the plate ourselves.”
Sherman eventually apologized Wednesday on the “The Pat McAfee Show,” saying, “It’s definitely my bad.” He explained that he “took it as disrespect because the way he was standing back” when the captains came together to shake hands but said he’ll reach out to him to apologize.
Mayfield said he hasn’t heard from Sherman yet but looks forward to it.
“I didn’t have my phone on me,” he said. “I just got out of practice. I just heard that (he plans to reach out). It’s nice of him.”
However, Mayfield didn’t share the same sentiment for Bosa.
“Good for him,” he said of the defender’s celebration. “He had it premeditated. He’s been thinking about it obviously for two years now — so that’s a long time to think about that loss.”