CLEVELAND, Ohio – The football gods giveth and they taketh away. One week after showing serious moxie in a win against the Cincinnati Bengals, Baker Mayfield was outplayed by New England Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones in a 45-7 loss Sunday.
The loss gave ESPN analyst and former NFL head coach Rex Ryan a reason to reiterate his criticism that Mayfield is not an elite quarterback.
“When I said Baker Mayfield was overrated as hell, I got ripped for it,” Ryan said on Monday’s “Get Up!” “I told the truth. It’s only based on 30 years of coaching experience. I know what an elite quarterback is and I know what one isn’t. Baker Mayfield is not an elite quarterback.”
Ryan called Sunday’s game against the Patriots a “disaster matchup” for Mayfield, who he said does not fare well against man coverage.
“Baker Mayfield does not lose games for you,” Ryan said. “But he doesn’t win games for you.”
Mayfield was down his two star-running backs in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Pro Bowl tackle Jack Conklin was also out.
“An elite quarterback can win when you don’t have other things,” Ryan proclaimed. “[The Browns] got out-rushed by 50 yards. That’s happened 14 times and Baker Mayfield is 0-14 in those games.
“He’s ain’t the guy,” Ryan continued. “You know where he’s elite? He’s elite in those commercials. Just because you’re taken first overall doesn’t mean you’re elite. It means someone thinks you’re elite.”
The Browns have to make a decision on Mayfield this offseason, as he’s due $18 million in the fifth year of his contract. The Browns could offer Mayfield a new contract that could be worth more than $30 million per year.
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