The Cleveland Browns made a franchise-altering decision when they drafted Baker Mayfield with the No. 1 overall pick. However, Browns fans likely won’t get the chance to see their franchise QB in action for a while with Tyrod Taylor slated to start for the team next season.
After getting drafted by the Browns, Mayfield was told he would indeed begin behind Taylor in the depth chart. He then clarified comments he made during the Combine that he won’t settle for a backup job, saying it’s just in his nature to compete. He also made clear that he's willing to learn while he's on the sidelines.
“I know exactly what they said, and exactly why they said that,” Mayfield said, per Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams. “That is a veteran that has been in the league, a guy that I can sit behind and learn from. When I say those types of things, it is because I am competitive. If I came in with the mindset of just being happy that I got drafted and just to settle for a backup job, that wouldn’t be myself. I am going to come in and compete but also with the hunger to learn from a guy that has been in the league that has seen things that I haven’t seen.
It’s likely not easy for someone of Mayfield’s über-competitive mindset to be told to sit and wait his turn. But after years of failure in terms of developing quarterbacks, that’s the plan which the Browns feel will be in their best interest long-term.
Of course, there’s still a chance that Mayfield can be called into action next season if the Browns have a change of heart or if Taylor gets injured. But until then, it’s a promising sign that the team’s new franchise quarterback is ready to learn while still keeping his competitive fire.
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