Baker Mayfield tells NFL to ‘make up your damn minds’ on COVID protocols

As a leaguewide COVID-19 outbreak makes its way through the NFL, at least one of the players affected seems less than enthused with how the situation has been handled and with the league’s protocols.

Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield — one of 20 players on his team in the league’s COVID protocols along with coach Kevin Stefanski — sounded off on Twiter on Thursday.

MORE: Browns‘ QB depth chart with Mayfield, Keenum in COVID protocols

Notably, Mayfield told the NFL to “make up your damn mind” about the protocols and said that player safety concerns are secondary to the league.

The league announced new protocols Thursday.

They include an indoor masking requirement, a ban on certain in-person meetings and a new way to test out of protocols.

MORE: NFL COVID tracker

Despite the memo saying the new protocols were to begin “effective immediately,” there is a belief that players currently on the list won’t be subject to the new protocols.

As of now, Mayfield’s point about the NFL keeping the game as scheduled seems to be valid. The league has remained firm in its policy from earlier this season that games won’t be rescheduled because of COVID. 

The NFL’s stance isn’t expected to change anytime soon, either.

DECOURCY: NFL should be appluaded for COVID mitigation efforts

This is in spite of the fact that the NFL Players Association has been vocal about wanting Browns-Raiders postponed and going so far as to call for the league to stop play entirely for the week. Mayfield’s teammate J.C. Tretter is president of the NFLPA. 

With the game in less than 48 hours and the possibility of more players entering protocols between now and then, it’s possible the NFL will soften its stance.

But even if it doesn’t, Mayfield likely won’t mince words when he speaks again.