Baker Mayfield and the revamped Tampa Bay Buccaneers remain one of the surprises of the young 2023 season. Mayfield’s resurgence as an NFL starter is surprising to many football fans who had counted him out. Mayfield has been counted out before, even by the front office that drafted him.
Mayfield was drafted with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft to be the franchise savior of the Cleveland Browns. The Browns organization has been a perennial loser for several decades, and Mayfield was selected to bring Cleveland out of the dark ages.
Mayfield lifted the Browns into the playoffs and won the organization’s first postseason game in decades. Mayfield went toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, falling just short of advancing to the AFC Championship. The future appeared bright for Mayfield. What happened next surprised many, including Mayfield himself.
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What Did Baker Mayfield Say About His Exit From Cleveland?
Mayfield appeared on The Pat McAfee Show, where he was asked about his tenure in Cleveland and, most importantly, his exit. McAfee described the general feeling around the NFL during Mayfield’s Cleveland career, stating that when the Browns beat the Steelers in the playoffs, the game was viewed as a turning point for the franchise.
We were very confused how your time ended with the Browns..
"I think I'm still confused too 😂😂
I was excited to get surgery, get healthy & get back to my 2020 form but that wasn't their plan..
I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason" @bakermayfield #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/hKzhMG3IWa
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 6, 2023
Since Mayfield was the signal-caller under center for the Browns, the future appeared bright, and Cleveland had found their man. Less than two years later, the Browns organization turned its back on Mayfield and decided to pivot to Deshaun Watson, who faced multiple legal charges during the transition.
McAfee asked Mayfield about his exit from Cleveland, admitting that McAfee and his counterparts were confused by his departure. Mayfield replied with similar feelings.
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“I think I’m still confused too. I was excited to get surgery, get healthy and get back to my 2020 form, but that wasn’t their plan.”
Mayfield summarized his departure from Cleveland and the journey since, saying, “I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.”
Why Did the Browns Move on From Mayfield?
The Browns saw Watson as an upgrade from Mayfield. Watson faced multiple allegations at the time, but the Cleveland organization weighed the pros and cons and decided the risk was worth the reward. The Browns traded several high-end draft picks for Watson and gave him a controversial, fully-guaranteed contract.
How happy are you about life right now as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB..
"I'm loving it and it's a great organization..
I'm having fun again and it reminds me of when I was at Oklahoma" ~ @bakermayfield#PMSLive #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/JVh0dpN5RN
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 6, 2023
The Browns had no need for Mayfield and shipped him to Carolina. Mayfield’s play was down from his playoff run, and he was rehabbing an injury, but the quick shift at the QB position remains one of the more stunning moves in recent memory.