Mark Madden's Hot Take: Playing Baker Mayfield against Steelers complicates Browns' attack

Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield wants to be a warrior.

If he could, he’d wear the shoulder harness that protects his injured shoulder outside his jersey. Create a “Spirit of ’76” vibe. Turn it into a commercial.

Mayfield has a torn labrum and a fracture in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. He missed the Browns’ Oct. 21 home win vs. Denver.

Now, Mayfield is medically cleared and will play against the Steelers.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski shouldn’t let him.

Stefanski can’t be blamed for acquiescing. How often does a coach overrule a star?

But this isn’t Otto Graham playing through injury. Mayfield is an above-average QB, no better.

His backup, Case Keenum, isn’t much worse. He’s one of the NFL’s better No. 2 quarterbacks. Keenum played fine in the victory over Denver: 199 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions and a passer rating of 90.3. (The Browns rushed for 182 yards. It’s what they do.)

Let’s say Mayfield is at 80% physically. Is that superior to Keenum at 100%? Will Mayfield get hit and hurt, and will he drop the ball when that happens?

Playing Keenum would simplify Cleveland’s approach.

There’s always an unspoken need to feed the name quarterback impact plays. Perhaps this isn’t the game for that.

It looks like stud running back Nick Chubb will return from injury. The Browns lead the NFL in rushing at 5.3 yards per carry and 170.4 yards per game. Stephon Tuitt and Tyson Alualu are hurt, so the Steelers are weak on the defensive line. They have allowed 4.3 yards per rush attempt, which ranks 14th in the league.

The Browns should pound the ball on the ground. The quarterback should be a nonfactor unless score and situation dictate.

It would be easier to simplify with Keenum. He is not a big drop from Mayfield. Mayfield will complicate.

Mayfield playing is good for the Steelers.