Despite the buzz surrounding quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Cleveland Browns are all in on Baker Mayfield.
The NFL world has been abuzz about quarterback Aaron Rodgers reportedly not wanting to play for the Green Bay Packers anymore, courtesy of ESPN’s Adam Schefter. With everyone debating which team should take the plunge to acquire the reigning NFL MVP, there have been plenty in the sports media world pushing for the Cleveland Browns to trade for Rodgers.
Mary Kay Cabot, Browns beat reporter for Cleveland.com, notes in her latest article that the Browns believe in quarterback Baker Mayfield’s ability to lead the team to success and will not trade him for Rodgers.
Sorry Aaron Rodgers, Cleveland is all in on Baker Mayfield
The push by pundits for Cleveland to acquire Rodgers never really made sense, especially when watching how the team played this past season with Mayfield.
Even without star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. at his disposal for the majority of the year, Mayfield did thrive in his first season under head coach Kevin Stefanski. Through 16 regular-season games, Mayfield threw for 3,563 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions on a 62.8-completion percentage. That play helped lead the Browns to an 11-5 record and their first playoff berth since 2002.
The fun really began in Cleveland after the regular season. The Browns defeated the rival Pittsburgh Steelers 48-37 in the AFC Wild Card Round for their first playoff win since 1994. Do not let the score fool you; the Steelers cut into their deficit in garbage time. In that contest, Mayfield completed 21-of-34 pass attempts for 263 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions.
In the Divisional Round, the Browns narrowly lost to the powerhouse Kansas City Chiefs, 22-17. Things could have ended differently had that fumble in the end zone for a touchback by wide receiver Rashard Higgins never happened.
The Browns are having one of the better offseasons in the NFL. They added the likes of defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, safety John Johnson III and cornerback Troy Hill in free agency, while also having a top-tier draft class this year. This is why the Browns are one of the favorites to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl next season with Mayfield at the helm.
Time to put those “Aaron Rodgers to the Browns” takes to rest.
