CLEVELAND — All of the time for talking is done, and now, comes the hard work to prepare for the 2019 season.
For the first time since their return to the National Football League in 1999, it seems like the Cleveland Browns have their franchise quarterback in Baker Mayfield, and the success the second-year signal-caller experienced during the 2018 season has plenty of fans talking about lofty goals for 2019.
“It is just a little different because it is now the whole city, all the fans and everything,” Mayfield said during minicamp last month. “Last year, we had it within our building. We knew the kind of pieces we had to put together and the potential we had, but now, it is the excitement with everybody and the hype around it. We have to have the same mindset. Within this building, you have to go to work and you’ve got to earn it every day.”
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Twenty-seven
No rookie in the NFL’s near 100-year history has thrown more touchdowns passes than Mayfield.
Mayfield broke the NFL record with his 27th touchdown throw of the season with 3:24 to play in regulation of a 26-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC North Division clash at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on December 30.
On second-and-goal from the Baltimore one-yard line, Mayfield slipped a quick screen pass to fellow rookie Antonio Callaway on the left side of the formation. With wide receiver Rashard “Hollywood” Higgins drawing the attention of multiple defenders with a play fake, Callaway ducked around a tackle attempt and stepped across the goal line for the touchdown.
Mayfield’s touchdown to Callaway broke a first-place tie with Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) and Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts) for the most touchdowns thrown by a rookie quarterback in the NFL.
“For me, it is really important for people to realize that it’s not just a fluke season,” Mayfield said at Odell Beckham Jr.’s introductory press conference on April 1. “This is real. I want to improve. I am not satisfied with setting one record. I want to win Super Bowls. I want to do a lot more.”
PLAYER TO WATCH
Mayfield
Everything at the quarterback position, and really, for the team itself, starts with Mayfield, who currently is backed up by veteran Drew Stanton, former AAF (Alliance of American Football) star Garrett Gilbert and undrafted rookie David Blough.
After taking over the first-team offense in the second quarter of a Week 3 win over the New York Jets, Mayfield completed 310 of his 486 attempts (63.8 percent) for 3,725 yards and 27 touchdowns against 14 interceptions.
Under the direction of new Browns coach Freddie Kitchens, the interim offensive coordinator for the second half of the 2018 season, Mayfield completed 180 of his 263 attempts (68.4 percent) for 2,254 yards and 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions.
Although Mayfield does not get official credit for the victory over the Jets because he came on in relief of an injured Tyrod Taylor, the first-year quarterback guided the Browns to seven wins and the greatest single-year turnaround in franchise history.
“To be able to be that guy for everybody that can count on me when it is crunch time or just off the field, be around me, be relatable and be that same guy for them,” Mayfield said. “Yeah, that is quite the honor to hear that from a defensive guy, but I have to continue to grow and earn that respect with everybody.”