Browns 'Mucked It Up' Trading Baker Mayfield, Says Bucs' Ken Zampese

Key Points:

• Ken Zampese, a Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant and former Browns quarterbacks coach, criticized Cleveland's decision to trade Baker Mayfield after the 2021 season, calling it a mistake that disrupted the team's momentum.
• Mayfield, the Browns' No. 1 draft pick in 2018, showed promise early in his career by leading the team to its first playoff win since 1999, but his performance became inconsistent over subsequent seasons.
• After Cleveland acquired Deshaun Watson in 2022, Mayfield was traded to the Panthers, struggled there, and later joined the Rams before signing with the Buccaneers, where he revitalized his career.
• Mayfield led Tampa Bay to consecutive division titles in 2023 and 2024, earning significant contract extensions and posting career-best statistics, including 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns in 2024.
• The Browns have struggled to find a stable quarterback since Mayfield's departure, cycling through nine starters with a combined 19-33 record, while both teams face off Sunday aiming to avoid an 0-2 season start.