Browns: Baker Mayfield proves leadership qualities in speech to team

Baker Mayfield is proving that he’s a true leader.

The Browns got dealt a bad loss on Sunday, losing 33-29 to the Chiefs in a game that Cleveland was in utter control of as the clock ticked away in the third quarter. The team ended up losing, mostly because the defense was unable to keep the Chiefs out of the endzone, but the offense wasn’t perfect. If you weren’t perfect, you bear some responsibility. It’s never just one person’s fault in any loss, nor is credit on just one player in a victory. This was something Baker Mayfield was well aware of when he walked into the locker room after the game.

According to multiple outlets, Mayfield took time to speak to his teammates after the end of the game, telling them to essentially let the loss wash off their backs. Mayfield reminded them that while the loss was hard, that the season was only beginning and to not let the loss linger.

It was a speech that perked up a lot of ears, including those of Nick Chubb. Chubb spoke about it on Wednesday (via USA Today), saying;

"I think for me personally, I was thinking like the season was over again ’cause that’s how it ended last year. I had to take a second, step back and realize we have 16 more [games] to go. So it’s not the end of the world. We did lose, but we can correct some things. Me personally, I can correct a lot of things, and we can go from there."

Mayfield also spoke about what he specifically said to his teammates.

"So I think there’s a fine line of walking that, and my message to them was, ‘You know what? We’re going to be really good if we just do our jobs and continue to be efficient and move the chains and help out our defense by staying on the field. But this one needs to sting. You need to remember that, that all the little things matter, and that’s how you need to approach this week of practice.’"

Baker Mayfield proved he’s a leader on Sunday in every way imaginable

The speech to his teammates was a great thing for all parties involved. It hopefully got people right and set the team up for success in future games. It also helped prove that Mayfield had the ability to pick up his teammates, being assertive at a time when the team might have needed him the most.

It wasn’t just after the game Mayfield showed poise, he did so all game long against the Chiefs’ defense. Mayfield made impressive passes and rarely had a bad throw all game. Mayfield only had three bad passes all game according to advanced analytics, and one of which may have been more on Anthony Schwartz for cutting in on a route and not on Mayfield at all.

That’s stellar figures all things considered. Yes, he had a late-game interception but he didn’t heave it to the opposing defender, he was attempting a pass and got hit from behind. That is not the same thing as having a clean pocket and lofting one up for an easy interception.

Mayfield is taking a step forward before our eyes.