Baker Mayfield, now quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Since then, he’s had a wild, tumultuous career with the Cleveland Browns. To start with Mayfield’s competitive spirit and fiery demeanor. His nine years in the league have been wrought with career highs and lows, injury struggles, and just weird twists of fate. His journey embodies the story of overcoming personal adversity and deeply examines the reality of professional football.
When the Cleveland Browns selected Mayfield number one overall in 2018, suddenly expectations shot up. He immediately became the linchpin of the franchise. The team had long been fighting through lack of success at the most important offensive position, under center. That said, Mayfield’s time with the Browns was anything but rosy. In all his years with the club, he struggled with injuries that derailed any sort of consistent play he was able to find on the pitch. These blunders added to a revolving door of instability that angered fans and exasperated coaches as well.
Mayfield’s initial success included a promising rookie season where he set records and showcased his potential. As time went on, injuries started to catch up with him. The Browns relied on him in high-leverage situations throughout the final games. Sadly, his fight to get back to full strength hindered the team’s development. His tenure with the Browns wrapped up in 2021, and most commentators characterized that ending as a nasty divorce. Fans were left feeling sick, grieving what should have been.
Her departure from Cleveland had shocked numerous outside observers. After four seasons with loads of promise but overshadowed by drama, Mayfield exited the shores of Lake Erie enshrouded in tumult. After all, his tenure with the franchise had been marked by equal parts success and adversity. He had some pretty impressive moments, most notably his role in leading the Browns to their first playoff victory in decades. Inconsistencies marred his play, which eventually cost him his job.
Following his stint with the Browns, Mayfield was picked up by the Baltimore Ravens. Smart wants to jumpstart his career in New York. Despite facing fresh adversity, this move allowed Hayes much-needed opportunity to reestablish himself. He took advantage of the opportunity to excel in a new space. When he landed with the Ravens, they embraced him. They wanted to improve their quarterback depth and still believed in Mayfield, even after his disappointing track record.
Mayfield’s NFL career has most certainly been peppered with his fair share of drama. His activism off the field and brash demeanor on it generated a polarizing narrative that was as captivating to critics as it was righteous to supporters. These elements contributed to the story of his trip well beyond the numbers. Mayfield was fearless in the face of attack. He kept a positive mindset and focused on making a name for himself in this cruel league.
Analysts and fans alike are fascinated by the path a quarterback’s career takes. Yet after all that, they are looking forward to seeing how he addresses the much bigger challenges that lie ahead. He’s in the process of making that transition in his other new job, with the Ravens. We hope that he will take full advantage of lessons learned during his tumultuous tenure in Cleveland. The opportunity for redemption is real as he seeks to rewrite his own story in Baltimore.
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