Mayfield: 'I believe in' new Browns HC Kitchens
New Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens has a fan in quarterback Baker Mayfield.
"I believe in him," Mayfield said Wednesday on SiriusXM's Mad Dog Sports Radio, according to ESPN's Pat McManamon. "That's not to say anything about anybody else, but you know what? We had something special and I want to build on it."
The No. 1 pick of the 2018 draft completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 3,725 yards and 27 touchdowns against 14 interceptions while primarily working under Kitchens' direction. The 44-year-old veteran assistant moved up from running backs coach to supplant Todd Haley as offensive coordinator midway through the season.
Mayfield wasn't surprised to see Kitchens rewarded with another promotion as the permanent replacement to interim head coach Gregg Williams heading into the 2019 campaign.
"I kind of had that sense the whole time," he said. "Seeing how he was, how he didn't change when he made the jump from running backs coach to offensive coordinator. Then just taking over and the difference that we had while he was calling plays. You know what, he had guys believing in him. When you have guys that believe in you as a head coach and respect you, there's going to be great things that happen."
Mayfield went 6-7 as the Browns' starter after taking over for an injured Tyrod Taylor in Week 3.