{"id":44333,"date":"2018-06-06T13:20:49","date_gmt":"2018-06-06T17:20:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=44333"},"modified":"2018-06-06T13:21:05","modified_gmt":"2018-06-06T17:21:05","slug":"baker-mayfield-browns-franchise-quarterback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/06\/06\/baker-mayfield-browns-franchise-quarterback\/","title":{"rendered":"Baker Mayfield on His Way to Becoming the Cleveland Browns Franchise Quarterback"},"content":{"rendered":"

Baker Mayfield<\/strong><\/a> had been working behind Tyrod Taylor<\/a><\/strong> and Drew Stanton<\/a><\/strong> for the first two weeks, finally serving as backup quarterback Tuesday. It was the one open session to the media this week \u2013 and that further fueled the rampant speculation over the last several weeks about a possible quarterback war.<\/p>\n

Baker Mayfield Making an Impact at Cleveland Browns OTAs<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Coach Hue Jackson<\/strong> was quick to allay the talk. As reported by\u00a0Mary Kay Kabot<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0of cleveland.com, Jackson said, \u201cI just mixed it up. There’s nothing behind that\u2026 I made a decision this week with the staff to make him second and get him some reps there and that’s just going to go as we go. There’s nothing to it, nobody should read into it. It’s an opportunity to go out there a little bit sooner than he has, that’s all.”<\/p>\n

As it turns out, the promotion doesn\u2019t increase Mayfield\u2019s reps. It does, however, increase the quality of his supporting cast. It also provides him with the opportunity to throw to different receivers and build a rapport with them. Chemistry between a quarterback and his receivers is paramount, and the coaches\u2019 decision to get this sorted now is just what the franchise needs.<\/p>\n

Jackson is relieved he doesn\u2019t have to divide the first-team reps this year as he did the last two seasons. As for the War of the Quarterbacks \u2013 well that has been the result of over-zealous Mayfield fans, convinced their quarterback has the goods to start his career big.<\/p>\n

Jackson is clear on where he stands. “We have a starting quarterback. Tyrod has still got to get those reps, those reps are really important. Tyrod is the starter. He goes with the ones all the time and with Baker we’re bringing him along. We’re teaching him the National Football League. He’s done an outstanding job, working hard every day and making the most of his reps, but it is comforting to know for our team that we do have a starting quarterback.”<\/p>\n

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Baker Mayfield\u2019s accuracy to the back pylon >>> pic.twitter.com\/Z7ymlyrdmo<\/a><\/p>\n

— Jordan Zirm (@JordanZirm) June 5, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n