Browns: Baker Mayfield is in elite company with NFL legend

Apparently, the Browns’ very own Baker Mayfield is in elite company.

The Browns’ very own quarterback is in some pretty elite company, as Baker Mayfield is one of two quarterbacks in NFL history to post a stat line of 75 touchdowns, 11,000 passing yards, and a passer rating of 89.9 or higher. The other? Dan Marino.

Now, it’s not an ESPN stat or sourced from the Elias Sports Bureau but after doing my own independent research, looking up over 30 elite quarterbacks from various eras, there was no other quarterback that I found that posted this high in all three categories. Some were close in every like Lamar Jackson, while others were far higher in passer rating, like Russell Wilson, or had more touchdowns, but fewer yards. Others like Andrew Luck had more yards and touchdowns but a lower quarterback rating.

It’s entirely possible that there’s another quarterback or a few that hit all of these marks through their first three years. Haven’t found one though. Even the names you might think, Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers, don’t qualify as they didn’t play their first year or two.

What does this mean for Baker Mayfield historically?

It further pushes against the narrative that Baker Mayfield is “overrated”. After a stellar rookie season and his third year where he should’ve won Most Improved from the Pro Football Writers of America but instead that went to Alex Smith.

Mayfield has done more than enough to warrant a contract extension and will more than likely get one unless he completely regresses over the next two seasons. Mayfield isn’t playing for his job anymore, but for his salary. How much he’ll get will be decided in part due to how he performs in 2021 and more than likely 2022. If Mayfield can get the Browns to the AFC title game in 2021 or beyond, then he won’t need to worry about his fifth-year option in 2022, he’ll get his money before his fifth year.