Baker Mayfield saga evokes Colts’ bad Jeff George memories
By Mike Luciano
The Indianapolis Colts appear to be much more set at quarterback for the next few years than the Carolina Panthers. In their inspiration, Carolina acquired Baker Mayfield from the Cleveland Browns at a point where his value was at an all-time low.
Mayfield may have led the Browns (of all teams) to a playoff victory while throwing for more touchdowns than anyone since they returned in 1999, but Cleveland still decided that Deshaun Watson was a better option. This is a situation that the Colts are all too familiar with.
The Colts used their first overall pick in 1990 on Jeff George, who could throw the ball 1,000 miles per hour. Unfortunately, he ended as one of the most disappointing No. 1 overall picks in NFL history, starting a list that Mayfield has inadvertently joined.
Mayfield became just the third quarterback in the common draft era to spend four or fewer seasons with the team who drafted him, joining George and JaMarcus Russell. Like Mayfield, George was let down by an inability to truly get his Colts over the hump despite some talent around him.
Baker Mayfield played 4 seasons in Cleveland as the 1st overall pick in the 2018 Draft. The only QBs picked No. 1 overall in the Common Draft Era (since 1967) that lasted 4 or fewer seasons with their first NFL team are JaMarcus Russell (Raiders) and Jeff George (Colts).
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) July 6, 2022
Baker Mayfield brought back Jeff George memories for Colts fans.
When George was drafted No. 1 overall in 1991 out of Illinois thanks to his rifle arm, everyone agreed he was destined for stardom. After inconsistency on the field and a prickly demeanor that rubbed some teammates the wrong way, George was shipped off to Atlanta.
The Colts went just 14-35 in games George started, all while he threw more interceptions than touchdowns. If you’re losing games that frequently with Eric Dickerson as your running back and Ted Marchibroda as your coach, that speaks to how raw you were as a passer.
The Panthers need to hope that Mayfield has a resurgence like George did after leaving Indy. George had three solid seasons with the Falcons, lead the league in passing yards with the Raiders, and won Comeback Player of the Year with the Vikings. Why couldn’t he have done that with the Colts?
In 1990, the Colts had the No. 1 overall pick. Took Jeff George. In 1992, they had both No. 1 and 2. Took Steve Emtman & Quentin Coryatt.
— Jason Cole (@JasonCole62) September 18, 2019
9-7 in '92
4-12 in '93
8-8 in '94
9-7 in '95
9-7 in '96
3-13 in '97
Obviously, things improved in '98
While Mayfield was pushed out of town because his grossly incompetent organization decided to give an accused sexual harasser more than $200 million in guaranteed money, George left Indianapolis due to poor play and a bad attitude. Time will tell if Baker figures it out.
