Ep. 103: How Baker Mayfield is like almost every other rookie QB

If you’re having any doubts about Baker Mayfield, eliminate them. This isn’t a guarantee, but a reassurance. Most rookie quarterbacks look the way Mayfield has looked this season for the Browns, some good, some bad, some flashes of brilliance, some moments of confusing frustration. Most rookie quarterbacks, however, don’t get caught in a power struggle between a head coach and an offensive coordinator that ends with both of them getting fired. So, Mayfield has that going for him. On this week’s Takes By The Lake podcast, Doug Lesmerises dove into the history of rookie quarterbacks with a writer who studied them as in depth as anyone. Justis Mosqueda wrote a story for optimumscouting.com that is worth your time and will explain a lot. Rookies have troubles. It’s normal. By Mosqueda’s data, of the 58 rookie quarterbacks who played a lot since the 1970 merger of the NFL and the AFL, only 11 really helped their teams. Struggles are normal. On this latest episode, we talked all about this history and what it means for how you should view Mayfield’s season. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.