Countdown to 2020: Best Cleveland Browns player to wear No. 15

The best No. 15 for the Cleveland Browns fell short of his expectations

The countdown to the 2020 NFL season is upon us. With 15 days remaining until the Browns season opener, we continue the countdown by celebrating the best Cleveland Browns player to ever wear number 15: Mike Phipps.

Not all jersey numbers are created equal, and that is evident in this entry of the countdown. The greatest player to wear number 15 for the Cleveland Browns is not a legend, but he was supposed to be. Ladies and gentlemen, I present the B-side of the Paul Warfield trade…Mike Phipps.

Phipps was supposed to be the next big thing at quarterback, and that was the reason why Art Modell traded a sure-fire Hall of Famer for his rights. The Dolphins, who had the third overall pick of the 1970 draft, made a draft-day trade with Modell and the Browns that landed Phipps for Cleveland. Modell felt that the Browns were in dire need of quarterback insurance and that Phipps was the man who could lead the Browns back to a championship.

Modell was not alone in thinking Phipps was going to be a preeminent quarterback in the NFL. Phipps had all the accolades a signal-caller could have after a stellar three years as Purdue’s starting quarterback. He was a unanimous All-American selection, finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting as a senior, and was the first quarterback to ever beat Notre Dame in three straight seasons. Phipps appeared to be destined for success at the next level.

Phipps spent his first two years in Cleveland backing up Bill Nelson and only started two games for the Browns, losing both. In 1972 Phipps got his opportunity to be the Browns full-time starter. Initially, it looked as if Modell had made the correct call. Phipps went 10-3 in his 13 starts in 1972 and the Browns earned a playoff berth. However, Phipps played poorly against the Dolphins, ironically, and the Browns lost 20-14. It would be Phipps’ only playoff appearance with the Browns.

The Browns were able to finish with a 7-5-2 record in Phipps’ second season as a starter. Even with the above .500 record, the warning signs for Phipps were evident. Phipps took the most sacks in the league and lost a staggering 362 yards.

Phipps would go on to start 22 more games for the Browns over the course of three seasons, going 7-15 in those games. He threw 16 touchdowns and 36 interceptions over that span. After the 1976 season, the Browns moved on from Phipps in favor of Brian Sipe.

Although Mike Phipps never reached the legendary status that Modell thought he would attain, he is the best player to wear number 15 for the Cleveland Browns.