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 an 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. His professional career has been marked by both high expectations and challenges.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1994: End of Browns Playoff Victory Drought

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

1999: Browns Return to NFL

Baker Mayfield became the 30th starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns since their return to the NFL in 1999.

2002: End of Browns Playoff Drought

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

2011: Won 4A State Championship

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

2013: Named Big 12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year

In 2013, Baker Mayfield earned Big 12 Conference Freshman Offensive Player of the Year. He subsequently announced his departure from the Texas Tech 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 the starting quarterback for Texas Tech following an injury to Michael Brewer. He became the first walk-on true freshman quarterback to start an FBS season opener.

January 2014: Transferred to 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 the perception that he had earned the starting position.

February 2014: Confirmed as Walk-On for Oklahoma

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

July 2014: Release Granted After Objection

Before granting a release in July 2014, Texas Tech officials initially objected to Oklahoma's request for Baker Mayfield's immediate eligibility. Mayfield was forced to sit out the 2014 season and lost a year of eligibility.

August 24, 2015: Named Starting Quarterback for the Sooners

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

September 6, 2015: First Start Against Akron

On September 6, 2015, Baker Mayfield started against Akron, totaling 388 passing yards and three touchdowns in a 41-3 win.

2015: Ineligible to Play

Baker Mayfield was not eligible to play until the 2015 season and lost a season of eligibility due to Big 12 Conference transfer rules following an unsuccessful appeal of his transfer restrictions.

2015: Finished Fourth in Heisman Voting

In 2015, Baker Mayfield finished the year with 3,700 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, leading him to a fourth-place finish in voting for the Heisman Trophy. He also helped lead Oklahoma to the 2015 Orange Bowl, where they lost to Clemson.

2015: Browns First Away Win Since 2015

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

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 were also announced to play in the 2017 Sugar Bowl.

2016: 2016 Football Season

During the 2016 season, Baker Mayfield had notable performances including 323 passing yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Houston, 390 passing yards and three touchdowns in a victory against Texas on October 8th, and 545 passing yards and seven touchdowns in a historic victory over Texas Tech on October 22nd. He totaled 1,321 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, and three interceptions over the final five games, leading the Sooners to victory in each game.

November 4, 2017: School-High Passing Yards Against Oklahoma State

On November 4, 2017, Baker Mayfield threw for a school-high 598 yards against Oklahoma State, finishing with five passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown in a 62-52 victory. He completed his career 3-0 as the starting Oklahoma quarterback in the Bedlam Series.

December 2, 2017: Big 12 Championship Win

On December 2, 2017, Baker Mayfield led Oklahoma to its third straight Big 12 championship, defeating TCU 41-17. He won MVP honors as Oklahoma clinched a second playoff berth in three years.

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 award.

2017: Heisman Trophy Winner

In 2017, Baker Mayfield won the Heisman Trophy while playing college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, becoming 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 2016 Heisman Trophy. Mayfield ended up finishing third in the Heisman voting in 2017.

2017: Rule Change Made Mayfield Eligible

In June 2016, the Big 12 approved an amended rule proposal, making Baker Mayfield eligible to play for Oklahoma through the 2017 season.

2017: Sugar Bowl MVP

In the 2017 Sugar Bowl, Baker Mayfield led the Sooners to a 35-19 victory over Auburn and earned the MVP award with 296 passing yards and two touchdowns.

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: Rose Bowl Loss

A month after winning the Big 12 Championship in 2017, the Sooners lost to the Georgia Bulldogs 54-48 in the 2018 Rose Bowl, which served as the national semifinal game.

2018: NFL Draft First Overall Pick

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

2019: 2019 Season Performance

During the 2019 season, Mayfield threw for 3,827 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions as the Browns finished with a 6–10 record.

2020: 2020 Season Performance

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

2020: 2020 Season and Playoff Berth

In 2020, Baker Mayfield helped the Browns clinch their first winning season since 2007 and their first playoff berth since 2002. He finished the 2020 regular season with an 11–5 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.

April 23, 2021: Fifth-Year Contract Option Exercised

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

August 22, 2022: Named Panthers' Week 1 Starter

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

December 5, 2022: Mayfield Released by Panthers

On December 5, 2022, after a 1–5 record, Baker Mayfield requested and was granted his release from the Carolina Panthers.

December 6, 2022: Mayfield Claimed by Rams

On December 6, 2022, Baker Mayfield was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams after Matthew Stafford's injury, and he led a game-winning 98-yard drive with only two days to learn the playbook.

2022: Traded from Cleveland

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

March 15, 2023: Signed with Buccaneers

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

2023: Joined the Buccaneers

Ahead of the 2023 season, Baker Mayfield joined the Buccaneers, leading the team to two consecutive division titles and a playoff victory. He also earned Pro Bowl honors and set career highs in consecutive years.

March 10, 2024: Signed Contract Extension with Buccaneers

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