BEREA, Ohio -- Over the course of the previous few weeks, Odell Beckham Jr. seemed to create just as many headlines for what he didn't do for as what he did do.
While the star wide receiver created a buzz with his customized Rolls Royce and new Nike ad, he also caused a stir by missing all but one of the Cleveland Browns' 10 optional Organized Team Activities (OTAs).
While some -- including Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens -- pointed out that Beckham's prolonged absence put him behind the eight ball with his new team, Baker Mayfield took a different approach. Speaking to reporters at Cleveland's mandatory minicamp on Tuesday -- which Beckham attended -- the Browns quarterback said he had total trust his new No. 1 weapon would be ready he needed to be.
"A professional's going to be a professional. He's going to train how he wants to. He's an elite athlete. That's how he does his stuff," Mayfield said of Beckham. "You've got to believe and trust in that. You've got to be able to trust him to be able to show up when he needs to and be there for his team."
That's not to deny that Beckham now has ground to gain, especially as it relates to the Browns' playbook. After spending the first five seasons of his career with the New York Giants, the 3-time Pro Bowl selection joins a Cleveland team in the process of installing a new playbook under Kitchens and offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
But between this week's minicamp and training camp this summer, Mayfield is of the mindset that there's still plenty of time for Beckham to get up to speed.
"For the guys that have been, it's pretty much the third time we've gone over it," Mayfield said. "Everybody else, we'll have to communicate and go from there."
Beckham may currently be a part of the latter group, but according to Mayfield, that won't take long to change. Plus, between their own offseason throwing sessions and previous relationship, the second-year quarterback insists he already knows where Beckham's priorities lie.
"That's just the type of guy he is," Mayfield said. "He's going to be here when he needs to."
