Hue Jackson partially blames Mayfield situation for firing

Former Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson seems to have a new theory behind what led to his exit.

Jackson was fired on Monday, posting a cumulative 3-36-1 record with the club through three seasons. Cleveland also dismissed offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

Less than a week after being removed as head coach, Jackson blamed his dismissal on the handling of Baker Mayfield.

"I think when you stop and look at it, it's truly, really about Baker Mayfield," Jackson said on ESPN's First Take. "I think they want to do everything they can to put him in the situation ... I mean, you got the first pick in the draft - who I think is going to be a franchise quarterback, who's going to be a sensational player - and he's not playing as well.

"So again, here is the perfect storm to move forward and move on."

Mayfield's rookie season has been volatile, but he has shown glimpses of future stardom, completing 58.3 percent of his passes for 1,471 yards, eight touchdowns, and six interceptions since taking over as the starter.

"I think we played a traditional style of football," Jackson said. "And that's OK. There's nothing wrong with that. But again, the question that was asked of me is, 'What would you do with Baker?'

"I think that's where I think the rubber meets the road. You have to do everything you can to make him successful. And if you're going to do that, then you go back and do the things that made you draft him as the first pick in the draft."

Although Mayfield has exhibited typical rookie struggles, there's no easy excuse for Jackson's dismal tenure. He noted that his dismissal ultimately came down to the lack of success on the field.

"Bottom line, let's just be clear, we didn't win enough," Jackson said. "At the end of the day, when you look at it, we didn't win enough games. No matter how you cut it, regardless of what they said or how they said it, you gotta win enough games."