Mayfield: ‘I’m truly hoping to make a huge jump’

Baker Mayfield BEREA — smiled slightly Thursday as he gazed back, glanced ahead, and saw time flying.

He’s 26 now, 4 1/2 years older than the latest No. 1 overall draft pick, Trevor Lawrence.

His point of reference allows him to weigh his four years as a college starter against prep for his fourth year as The Man in Cleveland.

“Progressing in college and in the NFL is similar, but not exactly relatable,” he said before a camp practice. “In a college system, you have the same growth and the same system. That was growth within that system.

“Here ... we haven’t had the same system the whole time.”

Mayfield hit a groove of success in his three years as an Oklahoma starter, after transferring from Texas Tech. The Sooners went 11-2 in 2015, 11-2 in 2016 and 12-2 in 2017.

With the Browns, he flew from 6-10 in 2019 to 11-5 in 2020 and liked the wind in his face.

“I’m truly hoping to make a huge jump this year,” he said, “taking care of the ball and being efficient.”

Mayfield’s pro record, 23-22, is less than ideal for someone drafted to be a franchise QB. The first-three-seasons records of some recent AFC North rival QBs were 29-11 for Ben Roethlisberger, 32-16 for Joe Flacco and 30-18 for Andy Dalton.

But one must remember where the Browns were before Mayfield arrived (4-44 from 2015-17). And one can draw comparisons with quarterbacks at corresponding places in their careers. Take Drew Brees. He was 2-9 in his third NFL season, with 11 TDs and 15 interceptions.

“I don’t compare myself to anybody,” Mayfield said. “I try to be the best version of me.

“I can play a whole lot better than I did last year. I know that.”

Last year wasn’t bad. The Browns won as many as 11 regular-season games for just the seventh time since joining the NFL 71 years ago. That includes six 11-win seasons and 12 wins in 1986.

While Mayfield enters his fourth year, second-year head coach Kevin Stefanski is getting to know him in a less daunting COVID-19 landscape.

“I actually know what Kevin (Stefanski) looks like now, not wearing a mask,” Mayfield said. “There’s a lot more communication going on now than there was last year. Not that we were lacking any, but it’s just a lot more accessible now.”

Mayfield enters his fourth year playing behind center JC Tretter, a master of keeping Mayfield in one piece by correctly identifying pass rushes.

The 30-year-old Tretter says Mayfield “turned a corner last year.”

“Baker has always been a great leader,” Tretter said, “but I think even his leadership has taken a step.

“Having that comfort of being in the same system will be good for him.”

Mayfield sounds optimistic that wideouts Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. can become a true big two.

“Jarvis looks extremely explosive,” Mayfield said. “He feels more comfortable. He’s a little healthier going into this year. There’s some pep in his step.”

Beckham, coming off knee surgery, is projected to be ready for the season.