CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield said Monday he walked off the field first and declined to talk to the media for the first time in his career because he was frustrated that he “played like s—’’ during Sunday’s 13-10 victory over the Lions and wanted to “remove the emotions” before talking.
He didn’t attribute his silence to getting booed by fans in the second half, including after his second interception and after a bad throw to David Njoku on a third and 8 late in the game.
“Those are probably the same fans that won’t be quiet while we’re on offense and trying to operate, so don’t really care,’’ he said.
He said of not fulfilling his postgame media obligation, “not one part of that’s about not being accountable. I’d be the first to tell you I played like s—. I don’t owe that to you guys, I owe that to my teammates.’’
He said his teammates know what he’s all about, and understand how important this is to him.
“My guys know all I care about is winning,’’ Mayfield said. “But I’m going to be frustrated if I do stuff to make it harder on, and I did yesterday.’’
Center JC Tretter said the players all know that an injured Mayfield is “fighting hard for us now, and we really appreciate that.’’
He said he had no problem with Mayfield walking into the locker room before anyone else without congratulating his teammates. “He was there with us in the locker room when we usually celebrate, so I wouldn’t have even have known that happened,’’ Tretter said.
Mayfield said he’ll start Sunday night against the 7-3 Ravens, and will be better physically than he has been.
He said he’s on the same page with coach Kevin Stefanski and it’s just a matter of him playing better.
“We haven’t played to our potential,’’ he said.
He said he remains positive that the Browns can accomplish their lofty goals this season.
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