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 later Oklahoma, where he notably won the Heisman Trophy in 2017 as the first walk-on player to achieve this honor. Mayfield was the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, selected by the Cleveland Browns. His career is marked by both high expectations and the distinction of being a Heisman-winning walk-on turned NFL player.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1961: Fran Tarkenton Record

In his first NFL game in Week 3 against the New York Jets, replacing an injured Tyrod Taylor, 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 Since 1969

In the Wild Card Round, it was also the Browns' first playoff road victory in 51 years, way back in 1969.

1994: Playoff Victory

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

1994: Browns' First Playoff Victory Since 1994

In the Wild Card Round, Mayfield led the Browns to their first playoff victory since 1994.

1999: Tim Couch receives PFWA All-Rookie

In 1999, Tim Couch was the Cleveland quarterback to receive the PFWA All-Rookie honor.

1999: Browns Return to NFL

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.

2001: Tim Couch Last Browns QB to Start All Games

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

2002: Playoff Appearance

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

2002: Browns earn first playoff berth since 2002

In 2020, Mayfield and the Browns earned their first playoff berth since 2002 after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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, which was their best record since 2007.

2011: Won State Championship

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

2013: Freshman Offensive Player of the Year

In 2013, Baker Mayfield earned Big 12 Conference Freshman Offensive Player of the Year. Following this, he announced his departure from the Texas Tech program due to a 'miscommunication' with the coaching staff.

2013: Named Starting Quarterback

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, after playing for Texas Tech, Baker Mayfield transferred to the University of Oklahoma. He sought to transfer due to scholarship issues and the perception that he had earned the starting position.

February 2014: Confirmed Walk-On for Oklahoma

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

August 24, 2015: Named Starting Quarterback for Oklahoma

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

September 6, 2015: Started Against Akron

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

2015: Finished Year with 3,700 Passing Yards

In 2015, Baker Mayfield finished the year with 3,700 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He helped lead Oklahoma to the 2015 Orange Bowl, which served as the semifinal for the 2015 College Football Playoff.

2015: First Away Win

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

2016: 2016 Season

In 2016, Baker Mayfield had 323 passing yards and two touchdowns in a 33–23 loss to #15 Houston. In a game against Texas Tech, Mayfield had 545 passing yards and seven touchdowns in a historic matchup against Patrick Mahomes.

November 4, 2017: School-High Passing Yards

On November 4, 2017, Baker Mayfield threw for a school-high 598 yards against Oklahoma State. Oklahoma won the game 62-52.

December 2, 2017: Won Big 12 Championship

On December 2, 2017, Baker Mayfield led Oklahoma to its third straight Big 12 championship, beating the TCU Horned Frogs 41–17. Mayfield won MVP honors.

December 9, 2017: Won Heisman Trophy

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

2017: Sugar Bowl MVP

In 2017, Baker Mayfield led the Sooners to a 35–19 victory over Auburn in the Sugar Bowl. He earned the MVP award for his performance.

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: Eligible to Play

On June 2, 2016, the rule proposal was amended to allow walk-on players, without a written scholarship offer from the school they are transferring from, to transfer within the conference without losing a season of eligibility. The 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: Mayfield Becomes Browns' Starter

In 2018, Baker Mayfield took over as the Browns' starter.

2018: NFL Draft

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

2018: PFWA All-Rookie Selection

In 2018, while considered a favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year, the award was won by Saquon Barkley. Baker Mayfield was named 2018 PFWA All-Rookie, being the second Cleveland quarterback since Tim Couch in 1999 to receive this honor.

2018: Lost to Georgia in Rose Bowl

In December 2, 2017, Baker Mayfield led Oklahoma to its third straight Big 12 championship. A month later, in 2018, the Sooners lost to the Georgia Bulldogs 54–48 in the 2018 Rose Bowl.

2019: Mayfield's 2019 Season

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

December 6, 2020: Highest Completion Rate Game

On December 6, 2020, Mayfield had a 75.8% completion rate in a win against the Titans while on the Browns. This was his highest completion rate before Week 2 against the Chicago Bears in 2023.

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: Mayfield's 2020 Season

In 2020, Mayfield completed 25 of 33 passes for 334 yards and four touchdowns against the Titans. Mayfield was named the FedEx Air player of the week for Week 13. Mayfield finished the 2020 regular season 11–5.

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, worth $18.9 million guaranteed.

January 5, 2022: Placed on Injured Reserve

On January 5, 2022, Mayfield was placed on injured reserve, ending his season, after it was announced he would undergo surgery on his torn labrum.

July 6, 2022: Traded to the Panthers

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

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

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

December 5, 2022: Release from the Panthers

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

December 6, 2022: Claimed by the Rams

On December 6, 2022, Mayfield was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams after Matthew Stafford sustained a spinal cord injury. He then led the Rams to a game-winning 98-yard drive against the Las Vegas Raiders and was named the National Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week.

2022: Tom Brady's Retirement

In 2022 Tom Brady retired. Then, on March 15, 2023, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Mayfield to a one-year contract to compete for the starting quarterback position after Tom Brady's retirement.

2022: Trade from Cleveland

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

March 15, 2023: Signed with the Buccaneers

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

2023: Joined Buccaneers

In 2023, Baker Mayfield joined the Tampa Bay 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: Contract Extension with the Buccaneers

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

2024: Draft Pick Condition

In 2024, A conditional fifth-round draft pick, which was part of the trade agreement when Mayfield was traded to the Panthers, would become a fourth-round pick if Mayfield played in 70% of the Panthers' offensive snaps, but this condition was not met.