Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has been voted Rookie of the Year by the Professional Football Writers of America after an outstanding 2018 NFL season. Mayfield lived up to his number one overall pick hype and looked like a true professional and leader. After taking over the starting quarterback position back in Week three, there was no looking back.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, who set an NFL rookie record with 27 touchdown passes, was selected as the 2018 Rookie of the Year, chosen in voting conducted by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA).
— Pro Football Writers (@PFWAwriters) January 15, 2019
Mayfield passed for 3,725 passing yards, and 27 touchdown passes during his rookie campaign. His touchdown passes total was good for the rookie record that was once held by Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson.
Article Continues BelowThe Browns star quarterback carried a 63.8 completion percentage as well as a 93.7 percent passer rating. Cleveland went 1-31 between 2016-2017, and there's no coincidence that once Mayfield was unleashed things changed for the better for the Browns. Mayfield helped achieve a 7-8-1 record with the Browns in 2018 in which they finished third in the AFC North. The Browns have held down the last place spot in the division since 2010 in which they placed third as well.
Mayfield led the Browns to their first win of the season after taking over for teammate Tyrod Taylor during a Thursday night matchup with the New York Jets in Week 3.
As long as the Browns continue to build around Mayfield how they did, this team will continue to win games, and they should undoubtedly be taken seriously from this point on. Mayfield has an extremely bright future and had a fantastic rookie season to justify that. The Browns were once the laughing stock of the league, but a new look team in 2o18 changed the culture for the future.