Baker Mayfield continues to excel

The Cleveland Browns have played three games with their rearranged coaching staff and Baker Mayfield is thriving.

All it took for Baker Mayfield to play, well like Baker Mayfield was a coaching change. Under the Hue Jackson-Todd Haley led offensive scheme, Mayfield was not performing well. Considering the previous two years of quarterbacks in Cleveland under Jackson this is hardly a surprise. The Heisman Trophy winner was only completing 58.3 percent of his passes with eight touchdowns and six interceptions. These numbers are respectable for the average rookie quarterback, but Mayfield is not the average rookie quarterback.

The offense now orchestrated by Freddie Kitchens has brought out the best in Mayfield. Mayfield has completed an astounding 73.8 percent of his passes. Additionally Mayfield has thrown nine touchdown passes compared to one interception. This is the Mayfield that was expected when the Browns selected him first overall.

For those wondering about passer rating, Mayfield’s is 129.5 since the coaching change. This is second only to Drew Brees (142.1). Perhaps more impressive is that Mayfield is the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to record a passer rating of 140+ in consecutive games while attempting a minimum of 20 passes.

Slight adjustments to the offense and overall belief in the team to execute those plays are making a huge difference. Freddie Kitchens never called a play in a regulation NFL game in his life until just a few weeks ago. Now Kitchens has the offense running like one of the better units in the league. The Browns have increased their point total every week since the change. Mayfield is throwing for more  touchdowns in each contest as well.

Experiencing a coaching change mid-season is never easy for a quarterback, much less a rookie quarterback. Baker Mayfield continues to play at a high level and prove why he was worthy of the first overall pick in last April’s draft.