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Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield 'Confused' About Awkward End of Browns Tenure

Baker Mayfield remains confused about the end of his tenure with the Cleveland Browns.

Kade Kimble

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After being a Heisman winner with Oklahoma, Baker Mayfield was the No. 1 pick by a very desperate Cleveland Browns team. He took them back to the playoffs -- ending a very, very long postseason drought. He did a lot for that team, yet the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback was forced out of Cleveland.

In Dallas, Texas to be the celebrity guest picker on College Gameday, Mayfield joined the Pat McAfee Show, where he was asked about his departure from the Browns.

READ MORE: Buccaneers' Fans Aren't Happy With Baker Mayfield's Quarterback Ranking

"I think I'm still confused too," Mayfield said. "I think towards the end there, I played 2021 with a pretty much torn apart shoulder and I was excited to get surgery, get healthy and get another shot to try and get back to that 2020 form but that wasn't their plan and I'm a firm believer everything happens for a reason."

Everything Mayfield said is true. He played through an injury, which ultimately led to the Browns wanting to move on and bringing in Deshaun Watson. They essentially forced Mayfield out of Cleveland, as they traded him for low value to the Carolina Panthers. 

READ MORE: Former Buccaneer Has Strong Things to Say About Baker Mayfield

After that, and a revitalizing stint with the Los Angeles Rams, Mayfield got another opportunity to start, this time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Since succeeding Tom Brady, who retired this past offseason, Mayfield has led the Buccaneers to an impressive 3-1 start heading into the team's bye week. With 882 yards through four games, Mayfield has completed 87 of his 125 pass attempts, cashing in on seven touchdowns.

Mayfield's supposed turnover issue has been far from an issue, as he's only thrown two interceptions so far.

What Mayfield has been able to do with Tampa Bay in his short stint has proven that he's capable of winning games, and the Browns either could have held out and see what Mayfield has left, or maybe it was the management of the team that was the issue, but it certainly a lack of talent from Mayfield.

READ MORE: Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles Close to Naming Team Captains

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Kade Kimble
KADE KIMBLE

Kade has been covering a wide variety of teams ranging from the NFL to the NBA and college athletics since joining Sports Illustrated's FanNation in 2022.