When the Cleveland Browns cut ties with Baker Mayfield, they thought they were moving on to something better — something brighter. Instead, they might have cursed themselves for years to come. The man they once believed wasn’t good enough for their future is now thriving in Tampa Bay, while the Browns are still searching for an identity, a leader, and a quarterback who can carry them out of the shadows.
And now, Cleveland fans are starting to say what many analysts have whispered for months:
The Browns made one of the biggest mistakes in franchise history.
Baker Mayfield Was Supposed to Be the Savior
Let’s rewind to 2018. The Cleveland Browns, desperate for a franchise quarterback after years of painful mediocrity, took a gamble with the fiery, ultra-confident kid from Oklahoma — Baker Mayfield. He wasn’t just a quarterback; he was a sparkplug, a shot of adrenaline to a fan base that had endured decades of disappointment.
In his rookie season, Mayfield lit up the league. He brought swagger, heart, and an edge that Cleveland hadn’t seen in a generation. He broke the NFL rookie record for touchdown passes, won Offensive Rookie of the Year, and most importantly, gave Browns fans hope.
That hope exploded into reality in 2020. Mayfield led Cleveland to its first playoff berth since 2002 — and then, incredibly, delivered the franchise’s first playoff victory since 1995. He became a hero overnight, the face of the franchise, and the man everyone believed would finally change the Browns’ destiny.
But somehow, it all fell apart.
The Fall From Grace — And the Rise of Regret
After one tough 2021 season battling through injuries, the Browns’ front office and head coach Kevin Stefanski lost patience. They turned their backs on Mayfield, sending him packing to the Carolina Panthers. From there, Baker bounced around — from Carolina to Los Angeles, and then to Tampa Bay.
Many thought his career was fading. Instead, it was reborn.
With the Buccaneers, Mayfield has rediscovered himself. He’s playing with confidence, precision, and that trademark fire that once made him a fan favorite in Cleveland. Last season, he exploded for 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdowns, silencing every critic who doubted him.
This season, he’s already off to another blistering start — 1,283 yards and 10 touchdown passes through just a few weeks. He’s currently third in MVP odds, right behind Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Baker Mayfield, the man the Browns didn’t want, is now one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
Meanwhile, Cleveland? They’re still looking for answers.
Kevin Stefanski Under Fire
Fans are starting to turn their frustration toward head coach Kevin Stefanski. Many believe that his inability to build around Mayfield — and his decision to move on so quickly — has set the team back years.
Since Mayfield’s departure, the Browns’ quarterback carousel hasn’t stopped spinning. They traded veteran Joe Flacco to a division rival, experimented with rookies like Dillon Gabriel, and are now considering whether Shedeur Sanders should get a shot under center. It’s chaos in Cleveland — and it starts with the man who once had stability and leadership but let it slip away.
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot recently summed it up perfectly:
“It’s hard to win football games when you don’t have your quarterback yet. To add insult to injury, Baker is out there doing his thing.”
Those words cut deep for a franchise that’s been searching for a true quarterback for over two decades. And the worst part? They had one — and let him go.
The “What If” That Haunts Cleveland
What if the Browns had simply stayed patient? What if they’d built around Baker instead of replacing him? What if they’d given him the support and stability he needed instead of constantly shifting directions?
Those “what ifs” are haunting Cleveland fans now. Every time Mayfield throws another touchdown for Tampa Bay, every time he’s smiling on the sideline, it’s a reminder of what the Browns could have had — and what they lost.
It’s not just about statistics. It’s about leadership, fire, and belief. Baker Mayfield believed in Cleveland. He carried that city on his shoulders and gave them a reason to believe again. And now, as he shines elsewhere, the Browns are left to face the cold truth: they let go of the one quarterback who truly embodied their spirit.
The Future Looks Cloudy
Cleveland’s current situation doesn’t inspire confidence. Dillon Gabriel is set to start against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but even fans know it feels like another temporary patch. The team lacks direction, identity, and consistency — three things Baker once brought to the locker room.
Meanwhile, Kevin Stefanski is under growing pressure to find answers before the season spirals out of control. Every poor offensive showing brings louder calls for accountability — and even whispers that the front office might eventually move on from him, too.
The Browns might have believed they were upgrading when they let Baker Mayfield go. But looking at the standings, the stats, and the energy around the team, it’s clear:
they downgraded their soul.
FINAL THOUGHT
Baker Mayfield didn’t just leave Cleveland — Cleveland lost him. And with every touchdown he throws in Tampa Bay, the pain grows sharper. What was once a hopeful story of redemption has turned into a haunting reminder of what could have been.
The Cleveland Browns are still searching for their next franchise quarterback. Baker Mayfield already was one.
And maybe — just maybe — they’ll never find another like him.
