Baker Mayfield isn’t upset about starting his NFL career on the bench. Instead, he’s taking the same mentality that made him a two-time walk-on in college and an eventual No. 1 overall pick.
"I'm ready to go,'' Mayfield told reporters after the Browns’ final preseason game Thursday against the Lions where he solidified himself as the backup to Tyrod Taylor. "It's my job to be ready for that. So any opportunity I can get, I'll take it. But I'll be ready to do whatever it is, prepare the defense and just be ready to play as well."
Mayfield led Cleveland on three scoring drives to start Thursday’s game before giving way to Brogan Roback.
First play of the Great Lakes Classic: Baker Mayfield to Devon Cajuste for 41 yards! pic.twitter.com/lo88T6nyWl
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 30, 2018
“(Mayfield) did some really good things,'' Browns coach Hue Jackson said . "He played good and I expected that he would, so he made plays with his legs, he made plays with his arm, obviously. He led the team down to score, so that was a good game for Baker.''
Mayfield finished the 35-17 Browns win 9-of-16 passing for 138 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions.
"Tonight (it was) making plays downfield with the ball, the accuracy of the ball, throwing the ball away in some key situations in the scoring zone I thought was huge,'' Jackson said. "I think he's growing every day, because he's working at it. And I think our staff's done a good job of coaching, creating the right environment for him but again, he's improved every week.''
In his first NFL preseason, Mayfield completed 35-of-61 (57.4%) passes for 501 yards, two TDs and one interception in 22 series.