Baker Mayfield is an NFL quarterback who no one seems to want right now. Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf knows that feeling.
Leaf was the No. 2 pick in the 1998 NFL Draft and is largely considered one of the biggest busts in league history. After bombing out of the league after four seasons he retired. He’s come a long way since struggling with legal and drug issues and now he serves as a college football analyst.
Meanwhile, Mayfield, a former No. 1 pick in the draft, certainly isn’t the bust that Leaf was but his career hasn’t played out so far the way you’d hope. He now waits in limbo to see if and when the Cleveland Browns trade him.
In the meantime, Leaf stopped by The Dan Patrick Show this week and offered some words of advice for the deposed Cleveland Browns quarterback.
“I’d continue to do what he’s doing. Do not waver at all,” Leaf said. “He’s the one who has all the leverage right now… Stay strong, get your money, and get a chance somewhere else eventually.”
Leaf went on to say that if Deshaun Watson ends up getting suspended for most of the, if not the entire, 2022 NFL season, Baker should be open to playing, but he also understands that Mayfield needs a fresh start. He suggested Carolina as a solid place to get a chance, though he’s not sure Sam Darnold deserves to be given up on there either.
Leaf did admit that he’s not sure Baker’s ego would allow him to go somewhere where he’ll be forced to backup another QB for some time.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.