Mayfield will be first Browns QB to start all 16 games since ’01
Tim Couch is only other expansion-era QB to last entire Browns season.
Baker Mayfield is on BEREA — the verge of snapping a ridiculous Browns streak.
When Mayfield faces the Cincinnati Bengals in Sunday’s finale, he’ll become the first Browns quarterback to start all 16 games in a season since Tim Couch in 2001.
There were times this year it appeared Mayfield might not be available to play in every game. He fought through a bruised hip and throwing hand along with injured ribs.
“There’s a lot of things you endure throughout the year with bumps and bruises,” Mayfield said Thursday after the Browns (6-9) practiced for their road game against the Bengals (1-14). “Thankfully, knock on wood, I haven’t had anything too serious. It’s just the process and nature of this game. It’s violent, physical game, and you have to be a professional and do the things right throughout the week to get ready to play on Sundays.
“I’m never been one to shy away from competition. I play this game because I love it. I
truly do enjoy the process. It’s not always fun, but getting to go out there and compete on Sundays to try and have success is the fun part about it. Any chance I get to go out there for a game, I’m going to do it.”
The No. 1 overall draft pick last year, Mayfield is the 30th QB to start for the Browns since their expansion era began. Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson was surprised to hear about the revolving door at the position.
“That’s different,” Richardson said. “That’s different.”
Offensive coordinator Todd Monken wasn’t aware of the history, either. Asked if it’s crazy that a Browns QB hasn’t played an entire season in 18 years, Monken said, “It is now that you say it.”
He also credited Mayfield for being mentally and physically tough.
“That’s how he’s wired,” Monken said. “He loves to play football, and I don’t think he could ever see himself not playing on Sundays. I mean, you’d have to drag him off the field.
“The doctors would have to say, ‘X, Y and Z could happen if you play.’ Otherwise, he’s going to want to play. That’s just how he’s wired. I don’t care what it is. I don’t care what event it be. If there was something at stake and he could compete at it, he’s going to want to be out there and get after it.”
Mayfield suffered a hip injury on Oct. 13 in a 32-28 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, but he benefited from a bye the following week and started the next game against the New England Patriots on Oct. 27.
He suffered a bruised right hand on Dec. 1 late in the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers but missed just two snaps. The same week, the Browns revealed he had an injury to his ribs.
“Mama didn’t raise a wuss,” Mayfield said on Dec. 4 about playing through those injuries.
Coach Freddie Kitchens repeated something he has said before: The QB should be the most mentally and physically tough player on the team.
“There are some games you get knocked around pretty good and you have to be ready to get back out on the practice field, practice, get better and do away with all the other stuff and just focus on getting better,” Kitchens said. “(Mayfield) has done a good job of that. I saw that stat about 2001. So, yeah, I think it’s remarkable. It says a lot about the resolve and resiliency of Baker.”