Baker Mayfield made his NFL debut on Thursday. The early returns have been quite positive for the Cleveland Browns and their rookie quarterback.
The Browns trailed 14-0 when Mayfield replaced an injured Tyrod Taylor late in the second quarter. But he led the team on two field goal drives to close the gap to 14-6. Then, aided by a turnover, the Browns scored a touchdown to draw within two. They tied the game on the ensuing two-point conversion on a trick play that ended with Mayfield catching a pass in the end zone.
The Baker Special! 😱😱😱#Browns #NYJvsCLE
📺: @nflnetwork https://t.co/qtSMlVsA5P
— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2018
Twitter had a lot of feelings about Mayfield’s performance.
Baker Mayfield has that "it" quality – going to be a super QB for the Browns.
Happy for the terrific Cleveland football fans – good times ahead!!— Dr. Bill Simmons (@drbill1947) September 21, 2018
Today is the day Baker Mayfield became President.
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) September 21, 2018
me, after the draft: i've learned my lesson and will wait to see how he does before i get a baker jersey
me, less than a quarter into his career: pic.twitter.com/Xi4wMTt30V
— Robby Kalland (@RKalland) September 21, 2018
Baker Mayfield is already the best QB the Browns have had in the last 19 years.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) September 21, 2018
Hue waiting 2 and a half games to play Baker needs its own section in the Hue Jackson 30 for 30 “When It’s Your Team You Can Do Whatever the Hell You Want”
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) September 21, 2018
I’m pretty sure Hue Jackson just whispered to Baker Mayfield, “thank you…for saving my job.”
— Rachel Lindsay (@TheRachLindsay) September 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/FaZe_Swag24/status/1042970486555193346
https://twitter.com/360FFB/status/1042970286252019715
Baker Mayfield is literally breathing life into this team, game, and city!
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) September 21, 2018
That much is undeniable. What was a rather boring game in the first half has turned into must-watch TV in the second half. Most of that credit belongs to Mayfield.