What recent veteran vs. rookie QB battles mean for Justin Fields
By Evan Bruner
Comparing the Chicago Bears QBs: Baker Mayfield and Tyrod Taylor (2018)
Week 1 Starter: Tyrod Taylor
Baker Mayfield’s First Start: Week 4, 2018
Baker Mayfield was drafted first overall to the Cleveland Browns in the 2018 draft. Normally, the top overall pick is a day one starter, but the Browns weren’t just any team with the first overall pick; they were only the second team in league history to go 0-16. Due to the current roster situation, the Browns wanted to wait to start Mayfield until they felt he was fully ready. This led to veteran Tyrod Taylor being named the week one starter for the Browns.
It wasn’t long before Baker Mayfield took over
Taylor’s leash was always going to be a short one, but after starting the season 0-1-1, the Browns began to grow impatient. Taylor was replaced by Mayfield during Cleveland’s week three game against the Jets. Mayfield led the team to their first victory in nearly two years, and the Browns never looked back.
Mayfield went on to throw for 3,725 yards and 27 Touchdowns and was named to the all-rookie team. Given the team’s history at quarterback, it’s understandable that the Browns were so cautious with starting their young quarterback. Even when Taylor was the starter, the team was just looking for the right time to pull him.