To the surprise of no one, Sunday’s rumor became official today, as Hue Jackson announced rookie Baker Mayfield will start at quarterback Sunday against the Raiders in Oakland.
“I informed the group this morning that we’re going to start Baker Mayfield, and that Tyrod (Taylor) will be the backup, if healthy,” Jackson said Monday.
“Baker has worked extremely hard, put himself in position to be the backup, in (the Jets game) went out and played well, he nailed it. Did really well, helped lead the team to victory which I thought was really important.”
In the win over the Jets on Thursday, Mayfield came in the game in the second quarter with the Browns trailing 14-0, and ended up leading them to a 21-17 win, their first since Christmas Eve of 2016 against the then San Diego Chargers.
In the game Mayfield was 17-for-23 for 201 yards, he didn’t throw a touchdown but did make a catch for a two-point conversion which at the time tied the game at 14.
“Baker understands there’s still a lot of work to do,” Jackson said. “He’s got to continue to grow in the National Football League, continue to understand our system better to be able to execute it even more, and now the other added pressure of being out there first is there.
“But I think he can handle it, he’s demonstrated that. He’s earned it by the way he’s played.”
When asked if the move is for the rest of the season, Jackson simply replied – “he’s the starting quarterback of our football team.”
If Taylor does not make it out of concussion protocol in time for Sunday’s affair with the 0-3 Raiders, the team will go with Drew Stanton as their backup at the quarterback spot.
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