Cleveland Browns: How Baker Mayfield can Become the Starter
By Shane Carter
The Cleveland Browns want Baker Mayfield to sit for a year and learn the game, but is there a way he can change their minds and become a starter early on?
With Tyrod Taylor, Baker Mayfield and Drew Stanton on the roster, the Cleveland Browns have been the deepest at the quarterback position as they have been in a long time. So much so that Browns fans are ready to start the year. Eagerly ready for quality quarterback play.
Taylor is the team’s starting quarterback, and bridge to No. 1 overall pick Mayfield. A fitting bridge. Each player is 6-foot-1 and 215-pounds, mobile and don’t turn the ball over.
Stanton rounds out the trio, and will be there for at least two seasons after signing a free agent deal, giving the team a quality, proven backup.
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Mayfield has been a favorite of manny of the Dawg Pound writers from the start. Even more if it means teaming him with a Taylor. The team has been adamant about Taylor being the starter, choosing instead for Mayfield to sit and watch.
Similarly to how the Chiefs handled Alex Smith and Patrick Mahomes last season. The hope here is to develop him, allow him to watch-and-learn, and not make the same mistake of playing a rookie too soon. A mistake the Browns have made that mistake many times.
However, what if Baker Mayfield is ready now? What if he’s already better than Taylor and it’s hurting the team to not play him now? How do you know when your top draft pick is ready to play?
Obviously the team is in no rush to play him, but Baker Mayfield could be ready Sooner than later. He’ll need to do a lot to change Hue Jackson and John Dorsey‘s minds about not playing him yet, but it’s not impossible. Both on and off the field.