Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson said there was nothing behind moving Baker Mayfield to the second team, and he was likely telling the truth
The news out of OTAs for the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday was that No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield got some reps with the second team.
That’s encouraging to hear since he was working with the third team, but head coach Hue Jackson isn’t ready to say that he will serve in that role when the regular season kicks off.
In fact, he said the work wasn’t even so much about Mayfield, but rather the talent level the team wanted to have him work with. He said it also didn’t increase the snaps Mayfield got.
"“Honestly, they were getting the same,” said Jackson via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. “That didn’t change. It’s just now you’re throwing to probably a different group of receivers because I think he has to have that chemistry with all of the guys, so it was good for him to do that. He did some good things today.”"
While it’s often said coaches don’t always divulge the whole truth, this isn’t a case of ‘coach talk’ from Jackson. He’s being completely serious that the move doesn’t change Mayfield’s role. It also doesn’t mean he’s any closer to playing in 2018.
The plan has clearly been to start Tyrod Taylor and have Drew Stanton back up Mayfield. The Browns want to bring Mayfield along slowly and make sure he’s ready to play before throwing him to the wolves.
This doesn’t mean he won’t get time with players that are set to play this year. Tuesday was just the first chance of that, getting him with some of the second-string players who will play every weekend.
It also wouldn’t be surprising to see the rookie get some snaps with the starters during camp and maybe even the preseason.
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Just don’t think any of that means Jackson is ready to throw Mayfield out there. He’s likely sticking to the plan this time.
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