The Cleveland Browns and New York Giants won’t be going head to head during the 2019 NFL season, but boy do we wish they were.
The two clubs have been connected since they partnered up in March’s blockbuster trade that sent star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., to Cleveland, with plenty of quotable comments coming from both clubs in the aftermath. On Tuesday, Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield found himself in the middle of another round of Browns-Giants drama with some critical words about Giants rookie QB Daniel Jones, as told by GQ staff writer Clay Skipper in the publication’s feature story.
Here’s the excerpt that’s got everybody talking:
[blockquote]Near our booth, a SportsCenter segment about the New York Giants catches Mayfield’s eye. “I cannot believe the Giants took Daniel Jones,” Mayfield says, about New York’s much-maligned draft-day decision to spend the sixth pick on the quarterback from Duke (whose college record was a measly 17–19). “Blows my mind.”
I tell Mayfield that I’m mystified that so many supposedly expert quarterback scouts seem unable to predict what makes a good NFL quarterback.
“Some people overthink it,” Mayfield says. “That’s where people go wrong. They forget you’ve gotta win.”[cite] – GQ article on Mayfield, written by Clay Skipper [/cite][/blockquote]
As you can imagine, the quotes are stirring up quite a mixed response.
Many view Mayfield’s comments as unnecessary and uncalled for, putting Jones in a spotlight he didn’t ask for.
Others, however, point out that Mayfield’s reaction to the Giants drafting Jones — at the time widely projected to be taken in the second round at best — with the sixth-overall pick this past spring is right on track with how the rest of the football world responded: widespread bewilderment.
It didn’t take long for Mayfield’s words to reach New York. Giants head coach Pat Shurmur reiterated his faith in Jones while Jones himself kept his response simple.
The man at the centre of this storm, Mayfield, spoke out via Instagram in an effort to clarify his stance and add further context, adding that he wishes “nothing but the best for Daniel.”