Baker Mayfield will finally get a chance to face the quarterback the Cleveland Browns chose to replace him.
The Browns named Deshaun Watson their starting quarterback on Monday, giving him the edge over Shedeur Sanders following an extended competition.
“Deshaun is going to start against Jacksonville,” Browns coach Todd Monken said. “Took in the full body of work over the course of offseason to training camp to the games and the joint practice, and ultimately, felt like to start the season on the road, Deshaun gave us the best chance to move the ball and score points. And that’s really what it’s about.”
Cleveland will visit the Jaguars in Week 1 before traveling to Tampa Bay for a matchup against Mayfield and the Buccaneers on September 20. Mayfield has made it clear that the reunion means something to him.
“First home game. Week 2. Cleveland. About that action, boss,” Mayfield said on the “4th and South” podcast. “I only played four years in Cleveland. It’s felt like forever. This is home now. It’s time to show them which home is better.”
Browns Replaced Baker Mayfield With Deshaun Watson
The Browns selected Mayfield with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft. Mayfield helped end Cleveland’s nearly two-decade-long playoff drought in 2020 and led the franchise to its first postseason victory since the 1994 season. However, his relationship with the organization deteriorated during a difficult 2021 campaign.
Mayfield played through a torn labrum and finished with 3,010 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions as the Browns went 8-9. Cleveland pursued Watson the following offseason, landing the three-time Pro Bowler in a blockbuster trade with the Houston Texans. The Browns sent Houston three first-round picks and three additional selections before giving Watson a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract.
Mayfield requested a trade and was eventually sent to the Panthers for a conditional 2024 draft pick. His first game with Carolina came against Cleveland. Mayfield rallied the Panthers from a 20-7 deficit, but a field goal with 8 seconds remaining gave the Browns a 26-24 victory.
Watson was not involved in that matchup. He was serving an 11-game suspension, leaving Jacoby Brissett to start for Cleveland.
Mayfield’s time in Carolina lasted only seven games before he was released. He had a brief stint with the Los Angeles Rams before rebuilding his career with the Buccaneers and establishing Tampa Bay as his new home.
Deshaun Watson Understands Browns Fans’ Frustration
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson in a preseason game. He was named the Week 1 starter by Todd Monken.
Watson’s first opportunity to face Mayfield comes amid a strained relationship with Cleveland’s fan base. He was loudly booed during the Browns’ 31-7 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills. Watson completed 5 of 12 passes for 36 yards with an interception and later described the reception as “personal” and “disrespectful.”
Watson walked back those comments after being named the starter, acknowledging that his emotions got the best of him.
“I know the frustration,” Watson said. “This organization have put a lot of investment in coming to get me back in ’22. And things haven’t been going the right direction that we thought it was. A lot of injuries, a lot of time off and not putting the best football and my foot forward.”
Watson has appeared in only 19 regular-season games for Cleveland since the trade, posting a 9-10 record with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
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