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Where Baker Mayfield ranks in Browns history

By John Suchan

Nov 28, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) runs onto the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) runs onto the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
CLEVELAND, OH – CIRCA 1979: Defensive lineman Joe Greene #75 of the Pittsburgh Steelers pursues quarterback Brian Sipe #17 of the Cleveland Browns during a game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium circa 1979 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

The competition: Brian Sipe 1974-1983

Brian Sipe spent all 10 of his NFL seasons as the Browns quarterback — and actually is ranked No. 1 in terms of most passing yardage by any former Cleveland signal-caller with 23,713 yards. He also finished with a 57-55 overall record with 154 touchdowns thrown and 149 interceptions.

Sipe didn’t become the starter for the Browns until his third season in 1976 and he ended up having five campaigns where the team had a winning record. His best season was the 1980 season when the Browns finished at 11-5.

That year Sipe threw 30 touchdowns to only 14 interceptions — and he won the NFL MVP award as well. The following year the team tanked and went 5-11 and Sipe went in the wrong direction, throwing 17 touchdowns against 25 interceptions.

So, while he could be good, he could also be pretty bad. With this look back at quarterbacks like Sipe, you have to wonder how they’d handle the pressures of the social media world? If Mayfield had a season where he threw 17 touchdowns to 25 interceptions would he have been sent out of town the next season?

Keeping that perspective on a player like Mayfield in today’s day and age is always important to keep in mind as we rank and discuss the overall value of these players.

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