Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Baker Mayfield

How Baker Mayfield built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Baker Mayfield is a professional American football quarterback currently playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He began his college career at Texas Tech before transferring to Oklahoma, where he notably became the first walk-on player to win the Heisman Trophy. Mayfield was the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, selected by the Cleveland Browns.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1961: Fran Tarkenton's Debut

In Week 3 against the New York Jets, Baker Mayfield became the first player since Fran Tarkenton in 1961 to come off the bench in his debut, throw for more than 200 yards, and lead his team to its first win of the season.

1969: Browns' First Playoff Road Victory in 51 Years

In 2021, the Browns achieved their first playoff road victory in 51 years, dating back to 1969.

1994: Browns Playoff Victory

In 2020, Baker Mayfield led the Cleveland Browns to their first playoff victory since 1994.

1999: 30th Starting Quarterback for Browns Since Return to NFL

Baker Mayfield started for the first time in the Browns' next game, making him the 30th starting quarterback for the Browns since their return to the NFL in 1999.

1999: PFWA All-Rookie

In 1999, Tim Couch became the first Cleveland quarterback to receive PFWA All-Rookie Honor.

2001: Browns QB to start all 16 games

In 2001, Tim Couch was the last Cleveland Browns QB to start all 16 games.

2002: Playoff berth year

In 2002, it was the Browns' last playoff berth year since 2020.

2002: Browns Playoff Appearance

In 2020, Baker Mayfield led the Cleveland Browns to their first playoff appearance since 2002.

2007: Browns' Best Record Since 2007

In 2007, Baker Mayfield helped lead the Browns to finish the season with a 7–8–1 record, which was their best record since 2007.

2007: Browns' First Winning Season Since 2007

In 2020, the Browns clinched their first winning season since 2007, finishing with a 9–3 record at that point. This was in Week 13. In Week 13 against the Titans, Mayfield also had four first-half touchdown passes, tying Otto Graham for a franchise record.

2011: Won 4A State Championship

In 2011, Baker Mayfield led Lake Travis High School to win the 4A State Championship.

2013: Named Big 12 Conference Freshman Offensive Player of the Year

In 2013, Baker Mayfield earned Big 12 Conference Freshman Offensive Player of the Year and announced he would be leaving the program due to a "miscommunication" with the coaching staff.

2013: Named Starting Quarterback at Texas Tech

Shortly before the start of the 2013 season, Baker Mayfield was named as the starting quarterback for Texas Tech, becoming the first walk-on true freshman quarterback to start an FBS season opener at the quarterback position.

January 2014: Transferred to University of Oklahoma

In January 2014, after playing for Texas Tech, Baker Mayfield transferred to the University of Oklahoma, citing scholarship issues and a perception of unfair competition.

February 2014: Confirmed to walk on for Oklahoma Sooners

In February 2014, Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops confirmed that Baker Mayfield would be walking on for the Oklahoma Sooners.

July 2014: Granted Release by Texas Tech

In July 2014, Texas Tech officials granted Baker Mayfield a release after initially objecting to his immediate eligibility at Oklahoma. Consequently, Mayfield was forced to sit out the 2014 season and lost one year of eligibility.

August 24, 2015: Named Starting Quarterback for Sooners

On August 24, 2015, Baker Mayfield was named the starting quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners after winning an open quarterback competition against Trevor Knight.

September 6, 2015: Started Against Akron

On September 6, 2015, Baker Mayfield started against Akron, totaling 388 passing yards with three passing touchdowns.

2015: Finished Fourth in Heisman Trophy Voting

In 2015, Baker Mayfield finished the year with 3,700 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, which led to him finishing fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy. He also led Oklahoma to the 2015 Orange Bowl, which served as the semifinal for the 2015 College Football Playoff; however, Oklahoma lost to Clemson.

2015: First Away Win Since 2015

In Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Mayfield led the Browns to their first away win since 2015.

2016: 2016 Season Performance

In 2016, Baker Mayfield had 323 passing yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Houston. In the game against Texas on October 8, he had 390 passing yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in a victory. On October 22, in a victory over Texas Tech, Mayfield had 545 passing yards and seven touchdowns in a historic matchup against Patrick Mahomes.

November 4, 2017: Threw for School-High 598 Yards Against Oklahoma State

On November 4, 2017, Baker Mayfield threw for a school-high 598 yards against in-state rival Oklahoma State. Mayfield finished 24-for-36 with five passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown, and Oklahoma won the game by a score of 62–52.

December 2, 2017: Led Oklahoma to Big 12 Championship

On December 2, 2017, Baker Mayfield led Oklahoma to its third straight Big 12 championship, beating the TCU Horned Frogs and earning MVP honors.

December 9, 2017: Won the Heisman Trophy

On December 9, 2017, Baker Mayfield won the 2017 Heisman Trophy with a sweeping majority, becoming the first and only walk-on player to ever win the Heisman Trophy.

2017: MVP at the Sugar Bowl

In the 2017 Sugar Bowl, Baker Mayfield led the Sooners to victory over Auburn, earning the MVP award with 296 passing yards and two touchdowns.

2017: Eligible to Play for Oklahoma

On June 1, 2016, the Big 12 faculty athletic representatives initially voted against a rule proposal that would have allowed walk-on players to transfer within the conference and not lose a year of eligibility. The amended rule change made Mayfield eligible to play for Oklahoma through the 2017 season.

July 24, 2018: Signed Rookie Contract with Browns

On July 24, 2018, Baker Mayfield signed a four-year rookie contract with the Cleveland Browns, worth $32.68 million in guaranteed salary.

2018: NFL Rookie of the Year

In 2018, Baker Mayfield was named NFL Rookie of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America, although he did not win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

2018: Drafted First Overall by Cleveland Browns

In 2018, Baker Mayfield was selected first overall by the Cleveland Browns in the NFL draft.

2018: Browns' Starter

In 2018, it was the first time since taking over as the Browns' starter that Mayfield missed a game due to injury.

2018: Lost to Georgia in Rose Bowl

On December 2, 2017, Baker Mayfield led Oklahoma to its third straight Big 12 championship, beating the TCU Horned Frogs and earning MVP honors. A month later, in 2018, the Sooners lost to the Georgia Bulldogs in the Rose Bowl, which served as the national semifinal game.

2019: Named in NFL Top 100 Players of 2019

In 2019, Baker Mayfield was named the 50th best player in the league by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2019: 2019 Season Performance

In the 2019 season, Mayfield threw for 3,827 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. He also became the first Cleveland Browns QB to start all 16 games in a season since Tim Couch in 2001. The Browns finished the 2019 season with a 6–10 record.

2020: Led Browns to Playoffs

In 2020, Baker Mayfield led the Cleveland Browns to their first playoff appearance since 2002 and their first playoff victory since 1994.

2020: Browns earn playoff berth

In 2020, Mayfield and the Browns earned their first playoff berth since 2002, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-22 in Week 17. The Browns finished the 2020 regular season 11-5.

2020: 2020 Season Performance

In the 2020 season, Mayfield finished with 4,030 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

April 23, 2021: Fifth-Year Contract Option Exercised

On April 23, 2021, the Browns exercised Mayfield's fifth-year contract option for the 2022 season, guaranteeing him $18.9 million.

2021: Ranked in NFL Top 100 Players of 2021

In 2021, Mayfield was ranked 71st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players.

July 6, 2022: Traded to the Panthers

On July 6, 2022, Mayfield was traded to the Panthers for a 2024 conditional fifth-round draft pick.

August 22, 2022: Named Week 1 Starter for the Panthers

On August 22, 2022, Mayfield was named the Week 1 starter for the Panthers, for their game against the Browns.

December 5, 2022: Release from the Panthers

On December 5, 2022, Mayfield was granted his release from the Panthers after requesting it, with a 1-5 record.

December 6, 2022: Claimed off Waivers by the Rams

On December 6, 2022, Mayfield was claimed off waivers by the Rams after Matthew Stafford's injury. He led a 98-yard, game-winning drive and was named National Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week.

2022: Traded from Cleveland

In 2022, Baker Mayfield was traded from the Cleveland Browns, spending the year with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams.

2022: Tom Brady retired

In 2023, Mayfield signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to compete for the starting quarterback position to be the successor to Tom Brady, after he retired after the 2022 NFL season.

March 15, 2023: Signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On March 15, 2023, Mayfield signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to compete for the starting quarterback position.

2023: Joined Buccaneers, Division Titles and Pro Bowl Selections

In 2023, Baker Mayfield joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leading the team to two consecutive division titles and a playoff victory. He also earned two consecutive Pro Bowl selections.