CLEVELAND — Officially, the Cleveland Browns' 38-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday dropped their record on the season to 4-2. But according to quarterback Baker Mayfield, the current mood in the Browns' facility is hardly indicative of where the team's record actually stands.
"The feeling throughout the building after that loss -- 4-2 has never felt so much like 0-6 before," Mayfield said during a Zoom call with reporters on Wednesday. "But that's because we have such high expectations for ourselves. So we're eager to get back to work and fix the problems that we know are within our own control."
Turn on any national sports talk debate show and you'll understand why Mayfield, especially, might feel that way. After completing 10 of his 18 pass attempts for 119 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions -- including a pick-6 on Cleveland's opening drive -- Mayfield has become fodder for such programs, with many questioning his future as a franchise quarterback.
Mayfield -- who's been no stranger to the spotlight dating back to this college career at Oklahoma -- may be aware such conversation is out there, although that doesn't mean he cares. Rather, the No. 1 pick of the 2018 NFL Draft remains focused on bouncing back against the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday and helping the Browns get back to their winning ways.
"I don't give a damn what they say," Mayfield said. "It's within this building. We know we can be better. I know I can be better and that's how it's going to be handled. The outside noise doesn't matter. They get paid to talk and we get paid to do our work so that's the way it's going to be handled."