At least Sam Darnold knew this was coming. Maybe he didn’t know it would happen Thursday — heck, by rights, it wouldn’t have happened Thursday if Tyrod Taylor hadn’t gotten concussed — but he had to realize from the moment Baker Mayfield went No. 1 in the draft and he went No. 3 that they were going to be forever measured against each other. The Browns had a choice, after all, and didn’t choose him. That was the first sobering dash of cold water.
This was the other: a prime-time Thursday night, Mayfield coming off the bench and looking like he’s been in the NFL for 10 years, producing a field goal on his first drive, bringing the Browns back from 14 points down early and three points down late and looking so … polished.