History of Baker Mayfield in Timeline
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.
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.
April 14, 1995: Baker Mayfield's Birth
On April 14, 1995, Baker Reagan Mayfield was born. He later became a professional football quarterback.
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: Kliff Kingsbury Named Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Week
In 1999, Kliff Kingsbury was named Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Week. This was referenced when Baker Mayfield later received the same honor as a freshman.
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.
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.
September 2014: Appeal Denied by Big 12 Conference
In September 2014, Baker Mayfield attempted to appeal his initial loss of eligibility to the Big 12 Conference faculty athletics representatives but was denied.
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: Ineligible to Play
In 2015, Baker Mayfield was not eligible to play due to Big 12 Conference transfer rules, losing a season of eligibility after an unsuccessful appeal of his transfer restrictions.
2015: First Away Win Since 2015
In Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Mayfield led the Browns to their first away win since 2015.
June 1, 2016: Big 12 Faculty Voted Against Rule Proposal
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.
December 2016: Heisman Trophy Finalist Announcement
In December 2016, it was announced that Baker Mayfield was a finalist for the 2016 Heisman Trophy along with Dede Westbrook, and they would play in the 2017 Sugar Bowl.
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.
February 25, 2017: Arrested in Washington County, Arkansas
On February 25, 2017, Mayfield was arrested in Washington County, Arkansas, on charges including public intoxication and resisting arrest.
June 15, 2017: Ordered to Perform Community Service
On June 15, 2017, the University of Oklahoma ordered Mayfield to perform 35 hours of community service and complete an alcohol education program.
September 9, 2017: Planted Sooners Flag at Ohio Stadium
On September 9, 2017, after a win against the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, Baker Mayfield planted the Sooners' flag in the middle of the painted "O" at Ohio Stadium, causing a major public backlash. Mayfield issued an apology shortly afterwards.
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.
November 2017: Controversy During Game Against Kansas
In November 2017, Baker Mayfield faced controversy after an interaction during the game against Kansas, leading to a public apology and suspension from starting the upcoming game.
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: Finished Third in Heisman Voting
In December 2016, it was announced that Baker Mayfield was a finalist for the 2016 Heisman Trophy. Ultimately, Mayfield ended up finishing third in the Heisman voting in 2017.
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.
July 2019: Married Emily Wilkinson
In July 2019, Mayfield married Emily Wilkinson.
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.
December 6, 2020: Highest Completion Rate
On December 6, 2020, Mayfield had his highest completion rate of 75.8% in a win against the Titans while on the Browns. This was broken during week 2 of 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: 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.
October 7, 2021: Playing with Torn Labrum Revealed
On October 7, 2021, it was revealed that Mayfield was playing with a partially torn labrum sustained during Week 2.
November 14, 2021: Right Knee Contusion
On November 14, 2021, Mayfield suffered a right knee contusion during a game against the New England Patriots.
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.
January 5, 2022: Placed on Injured Reserve
On January 5, 2022, Mayfield was placed on injured reserve to undergo surgery on his torn labrum, ending his season.
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.
December 2023: Expecting First Child
In December 2023, Mayfield and his wife, Emily, announced they were expecting their first child, a girl.
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.
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.
April 2024: Birth of First Child
In April 2024, Mayfield and his wife welcomed their first child, a girl.
2024: Panthers conditional draft pick
In 2022, Mayfield was traded to the Panthers for a 2024 conditional fifth-round draft pick.
2025: 2025 Season Performance
In the 2025 season, Mayfield had 3,693 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
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