Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson was sharply criticized last season for throwing then-rookie DeShone Kizer out there to the wolves.
It was a disgusting display from the head coach, one that led to Kizer’s rookie season going down in complete flames.
With Kizer now in Green Bay and rookie No. 1 pick Baker Mayfield working under Jackson, it appears that the head coach has learned from his past mistakes.
In fact, Jackson just went on record confirming that the reigning Heisman Trophy winner will not see any first-team reps from here until the start of the regular season. Instead, that’s going to be reserved for a former Pro Bowler in Tyrod Taylor who is in the midst of learning a new offense.
#Browns Hue Jackson on whether Baker will get any reps with the 1s in training camp: “No. No. No. And I’ll tell you why. We are learning a new system and I think Tyrod needs every rep with the 1s”
— Keith Britton (@KeithBritton86) August 20, 2018
In a way, this makes perfect sense. If we’re going to criticize Jackson for throwing Kizer out there too early, we can’t turn around and question his decision to take it slowly with Mayfield.
On the other hand, what would be the issue with giving Mayfield some first-team run in the team’s final two preseason games? Give him some experience should Taylor go down to injury during the regular season.
Either way, Jackson has hitched his wagon to Taylor. In a vacuum, that can’t be seen as a bad thing.