Let's get our facts straight on OBJ. Between 2020 and 2021, OBJ only played in 13 of 27 games including playoffs. Considering OBJ was injured early in the game in 2020 (1st qtr) the actual number of games that OBJ was available was 12 of 27 games or 44.4% of the time over a 2-year period.

Fact: On this forum and around the NFL, analysts and sports writers alike marveled how the Browns passing game changed once OBJ went down in 2020. In fact, it elevated the play of the other receivers on the team as the Browns made their playoff march. The final 9 games of 2020, Mayfield flew up the ranks to become a top 5 QB without OBJ. The Browns went to the playoffs for 2-games without OBJ and things looked promising for 2021.

Fact: In late May 2021, OBJ demanded a trade from the Browns FO even though he was still rehabing from his injury. The Browns had just made the playoffs for the first time in decades. The team had a top 5 QB that seems to be improving with every game and a supporting staff around him that looked to be in championship form. The how and the why of OBJ's request may never be known but it would be shameful to suggest that OBJ wanted out because Mayfield wouldn't throw him the ball when he had just missed the last 11 games, Mayfield was a top 5 QB, and the team was playoff calibur.

Fast forward to 2021, OBJ is not ready for preseason. Whether OBJ was still rehabing or trying to force a Browns trade, OBJ was not a F/T participant in the 2021 preseason. In fact, this rehab or cat and mouse game continued into the 2021 season where OBJ ended up missing the first 2-games of the year due to him rehabing his injury.

Fact: The Browns started 2021 just like the finished 2020. They were good and the team had a top 5 QB through the first 2-games of the season. All of this promise and still no OBJ contribution. Things were looking up for the Browns.

Unfortunately, Mayfield was hurt during that 2nd game suffering a serious injury to his non-throwing shoulder. Some will argue that the injury shouldn't have mattered yet even to a lay man, Mayfield was not the same QB he had exhibited over the last 13 games going forward with the injury. Mayfield struggled with the injury as it effected his level of play while his head coach continued to put him out there week after week.

Fact: A disgruntled and untraded OBJ returns to the lineup in week 3 to a team that has been winning without him and a now injured QB expected to throw him the ball. OBJ had now missed 13 straight games not counting the preseason. 13 games where Mayfield had built confidence in throwing to other players. 13 games where Mayfield had elevated his game to be a top 5 QB in the league over that period. 13 games where the Browns were winning and they were winning without OBJ.

OBJ's issues with Mayfield hadn't festered over time, hell, OBJ hadn't been playing for the last 13 games and the team was winning without him and hitting on all cylinders. OBJ wanted out of Cleveland and using his injured QB as a tool to make that happen is exactly what he did. Historically, OBJ has been on the field for about 95% of the offensive snaps. Since his return, OBJ only played about 70% of the snaps in those final 6 games with the Browns. Mayfield didn't call the plays, why was OBJ off the field for 25% of the plays he normally was on the field for? Add in all the other injuries that were occurring to the team and you have a team in turmoil struggling with an injured QB with a diva WR wanting to be traded. Those are facts that cannot be denied but OBJ leaving was all Mayfield's fault - or was it?