In his first year in the league, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield has had progressive improvement in his performance on the field as the season has rolled on.

Mayfield has continued to provide consistent production under center for the Browns. According to Pro Football Focus, he currently rates as the highest rookie quarterback in the 2018 campaign.

Article Continues Below
Related News
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (7) walks off the field after win against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field.
Kenny Pickett makes promise about Super Bowl stint with EaglesBen Strauss ·
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) warms up before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Browns HC Kevin Stefanski breaks silence on Myles Garrett, players’ OTAs absenceRichard Pereira ·
Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Kenny Pickett, left, Dillon Gabriel, center, and Joe Flacco warm up during an NFL practice at the Cleveland Browns training facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Berea, Ohio.
Browns’ Joe Flacco blasts mentor narrative with brutal takedownMatty Breisch ·
Browns news: Insider predicts QB trade during training camp
Insider predicts Browns QB trade during training campChris Spiering ·
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) throws a pass during rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Shedeur Sanders shines in Browns’ camp QB shootoutBenedetto Vitale ·
browns, shedeur sanders
1 Cleveland Browns rookie who stood out most in 2025 minicampGarrett Kerman ·

Although the Browns have continued to struggle to get into the win column, Mayfield has continued to pick it up over the last month as he has tallied multiple touchdown passes in each of the last four games for nine total over that span. He is coming off one of the best performances of his rookie campaign completed 17-of-20 passes for 216 yards with three touchdowns while holding a 151.3 passer rating in the contest.

Mayfield has continued to show more poise in the pocket along with more control of the offense with more playing time under his belt. He currently has 1,984 passing yards on a 61.8 percent completion rate with 13 passing touchdowns to seven interceptions and an 87.5 passer rating. Mayfield has had his fair share of struggles but he has continued to show improvement with each passing weeks that will see him go through plenty more growing pains as he adjusts to playing at the next level. At that same token, he will likely show more reason for optimism behind his play that could see him put together more encouraging outings ahead.

What could also drive Mayfield and the Browns is the fact that they are technically not out of the playoff picture currently sitting two games out of the final wild-card spot. Their chance may be bleak, but it is certainly something that could continue to push them forward over the rest of the season for how long Cleveland remains in contention. Beyond that, it is becoming increasingly clear that Mayfield could be the long-term answer under center that the franchise has been searching to land.