Tyler Boyd answered an NFL Network question about Joe Burrow and Baker Mayfield, which could be seen as a shot at the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback as well as their wideout Odell Beckham, Jr.
The battle for Ohio could be a lot more interesting in the coming years. Two seasons after the Cleveland Browns took Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield with the first overall pick, the Cincinnati Bengals landed Joe Burrow, the LSU signal-caller.
Now, the two former No. 1 overall picks are set to face off with one another twice per season as each looks to turn around their own struggling franchise. Mayfield, who has had a two-year head start on Burrow, is hoping to start putting up some wins this season thanks to a rather stacked offensive roster — and some new offensive tackles.
As for Burrow, there’s more work to be done around him for the Bengals to compete. But that doesn’t mean the debate about which is the better player won’t start this season. And in fact, it already has as NFL Network’s Good Morning Football asked which duo people would take with Burrow and A.J. Green on one side and Mayfield and Odell Beckham, Jr. on the other.
Green’s teammate and fellow receiver, Tyler Boyd had no problem answering that himself, saying that it isn’t even close.
Shits not even close https://t.co/phKmeamr7o
— Tyler Boyd (@boutdat_23) May 8, 2020
Of course, Boyd is going to back his team up but is it really not close? We know Burrow has all the talent in the world, but we have yet to see him throw a pass. As for Mayfield, he struggled last year but did break the rookie touchdown record in just 13 starts.
Not only that, but he and OBJ connected for 1,035 yards on 74 receptions while suffering through a frustrating season with shoddy offensive line play and some questionable play-calling from head coach Freddie Kitchens.
So yes, Burrow and Green could be good together but the fact is we have already seen some fireworks from Baker and OBJ — and that was during a rough season. Not only that, but A.J. Green, who is as good of a receiver as there is in the NFL, has had trouble staying on the field.
Green missed seven games in 2018 and didn’t play at all in 2019.
So maybe Boyd is correct that it isn’t that close. But he’s not right about where the scale is tipped.