Last weekend the 2024 NFL season started, every year it is this weekend when fans are at their highest point of optimism for the upcoming season. Cleveland Browns fans were no different. However, the game did not go well at all for the Cleveland Browns losing to the Dallas Cowboys 33-17. The offense was most disappointing including quarterback Deshaun Watson. Some Browns fans were quickly able to point out the team’s former quarterback recent success at Tampa Bay to criticize the Browns front office.

Baker Mayfield was the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. When he arrived, he was considered the franchise savior. And he did take his fair share of criticism. Those same critics of Mayfield from 2018 to 2021 now wish that he was back with the Browns. This is because their memory is selective at best.

Baker Mayfield with the Cleveland Browns did win a playoff game and deliver a playoff season in 2020. He also had horrible seasons in 2019 and 2021. In 2021 he played hurt a lot and it negatively effected his performance. Also, there were times he would leave the stadium after a game early and not speak to the media at all. Do not forget the last game of the 2021 season when Mayfield listened to his agent and refused to play in the season finale against the Bengals. He did have his good moments in Cleveland. But he certainly wasn’t perfect.

Baker Mayfield’s time in Cleveland had it’s share of drama as well. There was a local woman that made her rounds on local radio shows claiming to have romantic encounters with Mayfield in parking lots of local restaurants. After the 2021 season the drama reached its pinnacle with the trade for Deshaun Watson and Mayfield being dealt to the Carolina Panthers. Mayfield would also have a short stint with the Los Angeles Rams before landing in Tampa Bay.

After Mayfield had a playoff season in 2023 with Tampa Bay, he also quarterbacked them to a playoff win and it earned him a contract extension. Mayfield himself admits that in hindsight he wished he did things differently in Cleveland. Browns fans also wished it turned out differently.  Mayfield and his wife had a baby girl this offseason.  I am happy for him, and I am glad that he found success. But to live in the past in not productive. Especially when your memory of the past is selective at best.