CLEVELAND -- After leading his team on a 7-play, 89-yard touchdown drive, Baker Mayfield made an early exit from the Cleveland Browns' preseason opener against the Washington Redskins on Thursday.
That didn't stop the former No. 1 pick, however, from remaining plenty engaged.
After hitting Rashard Higgins for a 38-yard pass, Browns backup Drew Stanton found himself just one yard away from leading Cleveland to its second touchdown of the night. After Dontrell Hilliard got stuffed on a run, Stanton attempted to find Antonio Callaway in the corner of the end zone, but the the Browns wide receiver's outstretched effort was ultimately ruled out of bounds.
Cleveland first-year head coach Freddie Kitchens didn't agree, as he opted to throw his red challenge flag to dispute the play. Standing right next to Kitchens at the time, Mayfield was clearly excited by his head coach's challenge, which he enthusiastically showed support for with a series of animated shouts.
Kitchens' challenge, however, was ultimately unsuccessful and a play later, Hilliard fumbled the Browns' fourth-down attempt, as Cleveland turned the ball over on downs. Nevertheless, the moment provided a glimpse into the relationship between Mayfield and his new head coach, who the Browns hired in January after Kitchens' successful stint as the team's interim offensive coordinator in the second half of the 2018 season.
After one quarter, the Browns and Redskins are tied at 7-7. For all the latest from FirstEnergy Stadium on Thursday, follow our live blog and join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #3Browns.
