The Browns were right to stick with Baker Mayfield after 2019

When the Cleveland Browns came off of a disappointing 2019 season, every fan in the world seemed like they wanted to move on from Baker Mayfield.

Baker Mayfield had a down and disappointing, but not wholly bad 2019. Because the Cleveland Browns struggled and were once again a losing team, fans and media members alike started talking about capitalizing on the team and moving on from Mayfield. Claiming that they had to “win now” and that Mayfield wasn’t the guy. They started throwing out bringing in guys like Cam Newton and Tom Brady; while suggesting Case Keenum was coming in to start.

Those people all look very silly today.

Through 14 games, Mayfield is 10-4 as a starting quarterback while completing 64% of his passes for 3,082 yards, with 25 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. He’s 10th in rating among active, playing, quarterbacks and he’s 5th in QBR ahead of Drew Brees, Deshaun Watson, and Lamar Jackson.

Brady looks fine in Tampa Bay. His team isn’t the high powered offense everyone was sold on, to the point that many believe either Brady or head coach Bruce Arians will be let go after the year. Brady’s having a good season, with 31 touchdowns, 3,886 yards on 65% completion. Solid for Brady. He does have 11 interceptions though, and an over-reliance on the passing game. Tampa’s fine, but many would tell you they expected more.

As for New England, Cam Newton is done as a quarterback in this league. He’s completing 66% of his passes but for only 2,381 yards per game. He’s thrown just five touchdowns to 10 interceptions and has only rushed for 489 yards. Yes, he’s added another 10 touchdowns rushing the ball, but that’s still just 15 total touchdowns.

Keenum? Overpaid backup, who probably won’t be around next year, if they can find someone to trade for him. Teddy Bridgewater? Rumors abound that the Panthers may be moving on. Why shouldn’t they, they’re going to have a top pick in the NFL draft, and with four vaunted prospects in this year’s class, they’d be fools to not consider it. After all, Bridgewater is almost 30 and has yet to prove he can take a team to the playoffs. He’s never thrown for more than 14 touchdowns in a season. Something he’ll probably do this year but even so, that’s not the sign of a guy you can trust to get points for you.

There were talks of Marcus Mariotta as well, though not many fans bit on that one. Even into the 2020 season, people were talking about replacing Mayfield. Laughable names like Sam Darnold, Matthew Stafford, and others. There are those who even think rookies, with no tangible track record or expectation, would be better than Mayfield.

Mayfield is the guy. It’s time to move on from this conversation.