Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield will always be linked as high-end members of the same draft class in 2018.
While the two quarterbacks meet on Sunday, Mayfield, the former No. 1 pick, has the Browns on the brink of their first playoff berth since 2002, with a 10-4 record a year after finishing second in the league with 21 interceptions in a 6-10 season.
Darnold, the No. 3 pick of 2018, and the Jets only won their first game of 2020 against the Rams last week, but a vastly improved game from one year to the next of Mayfield and the Browns could just be a lesson to the Jets if they don’t make a splashy quarterback change through next season’s draft.
‘Baker plays great. I honestly haven’t looked at him much, but it is clear that they are winning games, so he has to do well, ”said Darnold on Thursday after practice. ‘I always say it and I’ll say it again. Quarterbacks and coaches in this league are always judged on wins and losses. That is it.
“Baker wins this year and of course we haven’t won as much as we would like this year. We will be judged further on that, as it should be. … Baker is doing very well this year, and I think there are of course some things for me to work on. “
Darnold added that his family has been tested for COVID-19 through the Jets and that he will spend Christmas with them.
Adam Gase on rookie left tackles Mekhi Becton versus Pro Bowl defensive end Myles Garrett (11 sacks) on Sunday: “If you want to know where you stand, this is the right person to counter. … When you see him play live, it is an impressive sight to see. “
Tight end Ryan Griffin was placed on the reserve / COVID-19 list on Wednesday because he would have come into close contact with someone outside the organization who tested positive. Gase said he still believes Griffin has “a chance” to play on Sunday if he continues to test negative.
Browns rookie left tackle Jedrick Wills was placed on the reserve / COVID-19 list on Thursday, but reportedly could play.
In addition to Marcus Maye, Curtis Martin Team MVP award winner, other winners included Frank Gore (Dennis Byrd / Most Inspirational), Griffin (Ed Block / Courage), Matthias Farley (Marty Lyons / Community Service), Folorunso Fatukasi ( Kyle Clifton / Good Guy) and Denzel Mims (Bill Hampton / Rookie Who Acts Like a Pro). … CB Javelin Guidry (knee) did not train.