BEREA, Ohio -- As the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart, Cleveland Browns rookie Baker Mayfield is well aware that the final three preseason games over the next 16 days are important to his development as a professional.
And after a successful showing in his first preseason game, Mayfield is focused on doing what he can to make the most of his opportunities.
“I’ve always had kind of a one-day-at-a-time mindset, but for me, yeah, I do have that sense of urgency to get better,” Mayfield said. “Every opportunity I can get, I need to seize that day, so for me, it’s about taking it one day at a time, making sure I’m getting better every day.”
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In his NFL preseason debut in last Thursday’s 20-10 win over the New York Giants, Mayfield found the mark with 11 of his 20 attempts for 212 yards and two scores, including 10 and 54-yard touchdowns to tight end David Njoku and rookie wide receiver Antonio Callaway, respectively.
“Just a lot of things I can work on,” Mayfield said. “There’s some stuff, communication-wise, in the beginning of the game, within the huddle, within getting people in and out, off the sideline, we’ve got to be way better at, and I’ve got to get in the motions quicker so we’re not cutting it close on time, making sure our guys are all lined up, and that’s the kind of stuff that you want to see the first game, make sure that you get it out of the way.
“You handle it so you don’t have to deal with it again. There were certain reads where I could’ve let the ball go a little bit, but I was able to, luckily, find some lanes to run through and convert some first downs, but other than that, I’d like to see the ball get out a little bit more.”
With the Browns facing a second-and-goal from the Giants’ 10-yard line, Mayfield fired a pass to the back of the end zone, where despite heavy coverage from New York’s secondary, second-year tight end David Njoku pulled in the pass for the touchdown.
Njoku’s second receiving touchdown of the game gave the Browns a 13-3 lead over the Giants with 6:43 to play in the first half.
Midway through the third quarter, the Browns were backed up at their own 22-yard line, and on third-and-seven, the Giants sent heavy pressure, which forced Mayfield to scramble out to his right and throw down the field off of his back foot.
Hustling toward the sideline, Callaway hauled in the catch, but was ruled out of bounds. However, the Browns challenged the call on the field and were awarded a first down at their own 46-yard line after video evidence proved Callaway secured the catch and got both feet down in bounds for a 24-yard gain.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Browns faced a third-and-four from their own 46-yard line, and Mayfield again went to Callaway, this time on a slant route from the right side of the formation to the middle of the field.
After catching the pass and shaking loose from the first defender just beyond midfield, Callaway stutter-stepped his way around another tackle attempt and sprinted the final 47 yards for the lead-extending touchdown.
Mayfield enters tonight’s home preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills at FirstEnergy Stadium with the “same emphasis” on protecting the ball and moving the offense down the field.
“Getting the ball out quickly, no sacks, no turnovers,” Mayfield said. “Just putting our team in the best position to win.
“Like I said, just command of the huddle. That’s the type of stuff that I want to have it all down, and then, you progress throughout the season with game plans and what-not, knowing and recognizing looks, but right now, it’s about our offense. It’s about us right now.”
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