Baker Mayfield: Losing ‘sucks’ but Cleveland Browns set ‘a new standard’

Baker Mayfield says there’s a new standard for the Cleveland Browns

It’s not always easy to be positive after a loss, and Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield knows that. The third-year starter came into the NFL in 2018 not knowing what it felt like to lose often and then, he had two frustrating seasons to begin his career.

After the 7-8-1 campaign in 2018, the Browns went 6-10 in 2019. Both times, there was a lot of hype leading up to the season and Mayfield felt as though he didn’t do enough in either of those campaigns.

Then in 2020, things began to click. Mayfield turned into the franchise quarterback we thought he was when taken at No. 1 overall and the Browns won 11 games. They then knocked off the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card Round and had a real shot against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round.

Sadly, they fell 22-17, and after the game, Mayfield was honest about how he was feeling, saying the loss simply sucks.

"“It sucks because so many people have sacrificed so much during this process and this very strange season and overcome adversity. So many people have stepped up — families of players and families of staff — and everybody sacrificed so much for us to be able to do this. It is just unfortunate for us to come up short. It sucks because we believed in it.”  — Mayfield said via Kevin Patra of NFL.com"

From there, Mayfield tried to find the positive from this season, and while it’s hard to hear it right after the loss, he hit the nail on the head.

"“That is why we are here, but trying to find the positive out of it, we are setting a new standard here.” — Mayfield via Patra"

All over social media, fans can be seen saying they don’t care about moral victories and that often comes in response to something similar to what Mayfield said. But the fact is, Mayfield and those who are pointing toward the future are not claiming any moral victory. Instead, they’re preaching the truth.

Yes, Cleveland should have won their game on Sunday but when you look at the rosters, there’s no reason for that to be the case. The Browns defense has two players who were capable of playing at the level of any of the Chiefs offensive stars, yet they were in the game.

On offense, there wasn’t a single wide receiver who could create separation or get downfield on the Chiefs’ secondary, but they were one score away from advancing to the AFC Championship Game.

This isn’t a moral victory but proof that this new staff can put this team into situations where they can compete regardless of the circumstances. For instance, who would have thought the Browns could knock off the Steelers on the road with three starters and a head coach out of the game with COVID?

That’s what this team did and that’s why Mayfield says there is a new standard. Gone are the days where a few wins are enough. This Cleveland football team knows they can compete with the best and they’re also incredibly young, meaning their window isn’t even supposed to be open yet.

They will be back, and the best part is — Baker Mayfield proved he’s the quarterback that this team needs. And he’s still getting better.