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 gained prominence playing college football for Texas Tech and Oklahoma, notably winning the Heisman Trophy in 2017 as the first walk-on player to achieve this honor. Mayfield was drafted first overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2018 NFL draft.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1961: Fran Tarkenton's Debut

In Week 3, 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 2020, the Browns had their first playoff road victory since 1969.

1994: Browns Playoff Victory

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

1999: Starting Quarterback for Browns

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: Freshman Texas Tech Quarterback

Baker Mayfield's first start against SMU featured the last four former Lake Travis quarterbacks combined on both teams: Garrett Gilbert, Michael Brewer, Collin Lagasse, and Mayfield. His performance also made him the first freshman Texas Tech quarterback since Kliff Kingsbury in 1999 to be named Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Week.

2001: Tim Couch Started All 16 Games

In 2001, Tim Couch was the last Cleveland Browns QB to start all 16 games in a season before Baker Mayfield.

2002: Browns Playoff Drought Ended

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

2002: Browns Earn Playoff Berth Since 2002

In 2020, Mayfield and the Browns earned their first playoff berth since 2002.

2007: Browns Clinch First Winning Season Since 2007

In 2007, The Browns clinched their first winning season since 2007.

2007: Browns Best Record Since 2007

In 2007, the Cleveland Browns finished the season with a 7-8-1 record, marking their best record since 2007.

2011: 4A State Championship

In 2011, Baker Mayfield won the 4A State Championship with Lake Travis High School.

2013: Big 12 Conference Freshman Offensive Player of the Year

Baker Mayfield earned Big 12 Conference Freshman Offensive Player of the Year for the 2013 season and announced he would be leaving the program.

2013: Starting Quarterback

Shortly before the start of the 2013 season, Baker Mayfield was named the starting quarterback for Texas Tech following an injury to the projected starter. He became 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, Baker Mayfield transferred to the University of Oklahoma after playing for Texas Tech. He sought to transfer due to scholarship issues and a perception that he had earned the starting position.

February 2014: Walk-on for the 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

In July 2014, Texas Tech officials granted Baker Mayfield a release after initially objecting to his immediate eligibility, forcing him to sit out the 2014 season and lose a year of eligibility.

September 2014: Eligibility Appeal Denied

In September 2014, Baker Mayfield's appeal to the Big 12 Conference faculty athletics representatives to regain his eligibility was denied.

August 24, 2015: Named Starting Quarterback for the Sooners

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

September 6, 2015: First Start Against Akron

On September 6, 2015, Baker Mayfield started against Akron, totaling 388 passing yards with three passing touchdowns. It was his first start for the Sooners.

2015: Finished the Year with 3,700 Passing Yards

Baker Mayfield finished 2015 with 3,700 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting and helped lead Oklahoma to the 2015 Orange Bowl.

2015: Ineligible to Play

In 2014, Baker Mayfield was not eligible to play until the 2015 season and lost a season of eligibility due to Big 12 Conference transfer rules.

2015: First Away Win

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

June 1, 2016: Big 12 Vote Against Rule Proposal

On June 1, 2016, the Big 12 faculty athletic representatives voted against a rule proposal that would have allowed walk-on players to transfer within the conference and not lose a year of eligibility.

December 2016: Heisman Trophy Finalist

In December 2016, Baker Mayfield was announced as a finalist for the 2016 Heisman Trophy along with Dede Westbrook. They also played in the 2017 Sugar Bowl.

2016: 2016 Season

During the 2016 season, Baker Mayfield had 323 passing yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Houston. He also had 390 passing yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in a victory against Texas. In a victory against Texas Tech, Mayfield had 545 passing yards and seven touchdowns.

November 4, 2017: School-High Passing Yards

On November 4, 2017, Baker Mayfield threw for a school-high 598 yards against Oklahoma State and completed his career 3–0 as the starting Oklahoma quarterback in the Bedlam Series.

December 2, 2017: Big 12 Championship

On December 2, 2017, Baker Mayfield led Oklahoma to its third straight Big 12 championship, beating TCU. He won MVP honors and Oklahoma clinched a second playoff berth in three years.

December 9, 2017: Heisman Trophy Win

On December 9, 2017, Baker Mayfield won the 2017 Heisman Trophy and became the first walk-on player to ever win the award.

2017: Eligible to Play for Oklahoma

Following the amendment and approval of a rule proposal regarding the transfer of walk-on players in June 2016, the rule change made Baker Mayfield eligible to play for Oklahoma through the 2017 season.

2017: Heisman Trophy Winner

In 2017, Baker Mayfield won the Heisman Trophy while playing college football for the Oklahoma Sooners. He was the first walk-on player to ever win the award.

2017: Finished Third in Heisman Voting

In December 2016 it was announced that Mayfield would be a finalist for the Heisman trophy, in 2017 he finished third in the Heisman voting.

2017: Sugar Bowl MVP

In the 2017 Sugar Bowl, Baker Mayfield led the Sooners to a 35–19 victory over Auburn, earning him the MVP award.

July 24, 2018: Signs with the Cleveland Browns

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

2018: Drafted into the NFL

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

2018: Mayfield Took Over as Browns Starter

In 2018, Mayfield took over as the Browns' starter, marking the beginning of his tenure as their primary quarterback.

2019: Mayfield's Season Performance and Browns' Record

In 2019, Baker Mayfield finished the season with 3,827 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions, as the Browns concluded the season with a 6-10 record.

2020: Playoff Appearance

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

2020: Browns Regular Season

In 2020, Mayfield finished the regular season with the Browns at 11-5.

2020: Mayfield's 2020 Season

In 2020, Mayfield finished the season with 4,030 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and nine interceptions through 18 total games.

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.

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 Panthers

On August 22, 2022, Mayfield was named the Week 1 starter for the Panthers.

December 5, 2022: Released from the Panthers

On December 5, 2022, Mayfield requested and was granted his release from the Carolina Panthers.

December 6, 2022: Claimed Off Waivers by the Rams

On December 6, 2022, Mayfield was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams after Matthew Stafford sustained an injury.

2022: Brady Retired After 2022 NFL Season

After Tom Brady retired after the 2022 NFL season, Mayfield was brought in to compete for the starting quarterback position.

2022: Traded from Cleveland

Due to performance decline and conflict with Browns management, in 2022, Baker Mayfield was traded from Cleveland and spent the year with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams.

2022: Mayfield Requested Trade

In the 2022 offseason, after the Browns traded for Deshaun Watson, Mayfield requested a trade from the team.

March 15, 2023: Signed with the Buccaneers

On March 15, 2023, Mayfield signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for $4.00 million.

2023: Joins the Buccaneers

In 2023, Baker Mayfield joined the Buccaneers and led the team to consecutive division titles and a playoff victory, earning Pro Bowl honors and setting career highs in consecutive years.

March 10, 2024: Signed Contract Extension with Buccaneers

On March 10, 2024, Mayfield signed a three-year contract extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, worth up to $100 million, with $50 million guaranteed.