Baker Mayfield continues to check the boxes

CLEVELAND, OH – When the 2018 season began there was an understanding from Browns head coach Hue Jackson and general manager John Dorsey that Tyrod Taylor was the team’s starting quarterback and Baker Mayfield was to be groomed from the sideline.

Naturally, a large contingent of fans disagreed with the decision. They wanted to see the No. 1 overall pick NOW. Why wait? Others – reflecting on the laundry list of 28 quarterbacks that started for the Browns since 1999 and fizzled out – were thrilled to see the franchise show patience with Mayfield.

But through the first two weeks the Browns were 0-1-1 and the offense under Taylor’s guidance was lackluster. Groans for Mayfield were building. And in Week Three, Cleveland’s plan A for Mayfield abruptly changed.

Off to yet another rough start, Taylor suffered a concussion in the second quarter and retreated to the locker room. In came Mayfield to take the reigns sooner than anyone expected, to lead the Browns on their first scoring drive of the game and cut a the Jets lead to 14-3.

The legend of Baker Mayfield was just beginning though. He caught a game-tying two-point conversion. Led three more scoring drives. And most importantly helped lift the Browns to a comeback win – the franchise’s first in 19 games.

Whether or not Jackson would have made the switch to Mayfield after another forgettable performance from Taylor that week is one of the world’s greatest mysteries. His commitment to the veteran signal caller would suggest no. Regardless, the decision was made for him after the immediate boost Mayfield brought the team on that faithful night.

From that moment forward, with a win under their belt, the Browns 2018 season became about solely about Mayfield’s development. Some more wins and maybe a run at the division or (dare I say it) the playoffs would be a nice bonus. But this season is all about finding out whether or not Mayfield is the franchise quarterback Cleveland has coveted for so long.

Mayfield checked the first few boxes in that Jets game. He brought a completely different energy to the team, led a comeback, and – as silly as it sounds – won a game. It’s been a while since any Browns QB could say that.

In the two games since seizing the starting job it’s been all eyes on him and he’s continued to look the part.

Mayfield continued to make all the right throws to the beat of 295 yards and the first two touchdown passes of his career in that Week Four loss to the Raiders. He had a hand in four turnovers that day but only one – that fourth quarter interception he forced – was truly his fault. Either way, generaling the offense to 42 points – the most by a Browns team since 2007 – caught everyone’s attention. There are no moral victories, but Mayfield’s performance took what was a typical, gut wrenching Browns loss and made it at least a little bit easier to cope with. Consider it another box checked.

Then came Week 5 and a matchup with 3-1 Baltimore – a division foe with a dominant defense. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley said this one would be a true test for the rookie. Mayfield passed with flying colors to the cool beat of 325 passing yards and a touchdown, as he marched the offense into position for Greg Joseph’s game winning field goal in overtime. Mayfield just keeps clearing hurdles. First career 300-yard passing performance: check. A game-winning drive in overtime: check. A second win: check.

Two and a half games certainly shouldn’t serve as the sole barometer for Mayfield’s career trajectory. But it’s plenty of reason for Browns fans to be excited for his future. For the first time in two and a half decades, the Cleveland Browns appear to have a franchise quarterback.

Follow: @Spencito_