Browns QB Baker Mayfield in midseason form during debut vs Falcons

Baker Mayfield got his first action of the preseason for the Cleveland Browns and led his team to a 7-0 lead, and it could have been more

It’s been a long time since we saw Baker Mayfield on the field for the Cleveland Browns, but it was worth the wait.

Cleveland’s star quarterback made his preseason debut against the Atlanta Falcons in the team’s preseason finale and he moved the team down the field with ease. He ended his night with a 7-0 lead, and if this was the regular season, it likely would have been 10-0.

On the team’s opening drive, Mayfield had to start with a 1st-and-20 on his own 15 thanks to a penalty on center Nick Harris. He responded by moving them 66 yards on eight plays, including a beautiful 35-yard catch and run from Baker to Austin Hooper on 3rd-and-9.

Mayfield moved them to the nine-yard line but the drive stalled out. However, since it’s the preseason, head coach Kevin Stefanski elected to go for the first down rather than take the easy three. Hooper ended up dropping the pass on fourth down but it would have been short anyway.

It was Mayfield’s second drive that really impressed though. The fourth-year pro started from the Cleveland 25 and marched the Browns 75 yards on just six plays.

This one ended with a touchdown when Mayfield connected with wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge from 22-yards out for the first score of the game.

The night is most likely done for Baker Mayfield after amassing 113 yards on 6-of-10 passing with the touchdown as well.

What was more impressive than the numbers though, was how much control and understanding Mayfield showed in this offense.

It’s the first time in his young career that he has the same head coach and offensive coordinator entering the season that he finished the previous with. Clearly, that’s made a huge difference for the face of the Browns franchise.

Mayfield and the Browns will head to Kansas City on Sept. 12 to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1 of the 2021 season and he seems more than ready for that game.