Cleveland Browns News: Baker Mayfield discusses drama behind the scenes

The Daily Dawg Tags bring you all the Cleveland Browns news you need to know, including quarterback Baker Mayfield opening up about the early season drama

Anyone paying the slightest attention to the Cleveland Browns could see there was some serious dysfunction early in the year. Heck, it really started before the games were played as we all saw head coach Hue Jackson completely dismiss his assistants during the first episode of ‘Hard Knock’ on HBO.

From there, things seemed to get worse. Jackson wanted to bench former receiver Josh Gordon, but offensive coordinator Todd Haley started him — and overworked him in Week 1. There was also the dialogue after their first win where Jackson vehemently denied stealing the ‘Philly Special’ play and Haley said they shamelessly did steal it.

Eventually, the drama ended and the Browns went from a 2-5-1 club to a 5-3 team in the second half. They looked completely different and now quarterback Baker Mayfield is coming out and saying that the distractions from the drama wore on the team — which is incredibly understandable.

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That story and more can be found in today’s Daily Dawg Tags.

Cleveland Browns News

Baker Mayfield blames in-house ‘drama’ for Browns’ early-season woes — Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY

"“There’s a lot of stuff from behind the scenes that I don’t even need to get into because that’s in the past and I’m focused on the future,” Mayfield told USA TODAY’s Sports Pulse on Wednesday. “I think everything happens for a reason. And there’s a reason we weren’t playing well when all of that was going on. If you have that many distractions and that much drama within the building, how are you supposed to go out on Sunday and compete?"

Everyone saw the drama unfolding and all the fans had to feel the relief when Jimmy Haslam finally listened to GM John Dorsey and moved on from both Hue and Haley. Mayfield saw his game go to the next level, as did many of his teammates, which makes this coming season one full of promise.

Saquon Barkley: ‘I Think’ My Peers Would Pick Me over Baker Mayfield for OROY — Mike Chiari

"Appearing on ESPN’s Get Up on Wednesday, Barkley said the following about his Rookie of the Year candidacy: “If you asked my peers that played against me or coaches that had to play against me, ‘Who is Rookie of the Year?’ I think they would say me.”"

While Barkley had a tremendous season for the Giants, Baker Mayfield broke a record that was shared by Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson — in three fewer starts. He also had an entire city rally around him and was 6-7 as a starter (and led them to another win off the bench) on a team that had one win in the past two seasons. If Mayfield doesn’t win the award, that’s an upset.

Cleveland Browns made embarrassing mistake during 2011 NFL Draft

On the Dan Patrick Show, an embarrassing story about the Browns came to light from the 2011 Draft. After being picked in the first round, New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan got a call from the Browns saying they wanted to draft him, thinking he was tight end Jordan Cameron. Not the best look.

Is trading up in the 2019 NFL Draft the perfect plan?

With Cleveland finally boasting a competitive roster, this could be the season to move up in the draft for a splash player. Dan Justik looks at how feasible this option would be.