5 Best Quarterbacks in Cleveland Browns History

Mayfield came into the NFL on a wave, finishing second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2018 as the Browns finished with their best record since 2007.

In 2020, Mayfield led Cleveland back to the playoffs for the first time since 2002 as he threw 26 touchdown passes and just eight interceptions. An arm injury in 2021 and the Browns traded for Deshaun Watson in 2022 with Mayfield asking to be moved that same season.

He has rebounded well in Tampa Bay, making the Pro Bowl in two of the last three seasons. But it started with the Browns.

4. Bernie Kosar (1985-1993)

Other than the franchise’s first 25 years, about a decade of which Cleveland didn’t play in the NFL, Kosar led the Browns to their most successful stretch in franchise history. 

Kosar took over as a rookie in 1985 and helped the team to the playoffs for the first time since the No. 2 player on this list retired. Cleveland proceeded to make the postseason four seasons, too, behind Kosar, and played in three AFC Championships.

He only made one Pro Bowl in his eight seasons in Cleveland, but his steady hand tended to find success.

• MORE: Every QB Drafted by the Cleveland Browns

3. Frank Ryan (1962-1968)

Those aforementioned great years? The back part of them came with Ryan at the helm. After joining the Browns from the Rams for the 1962 season, the former Rice signal-caller quickly took Cleveland back to its 1950s heights.

Ryan led the team to four division titles and five playoff appearances. The Browns’ peak with him came in 1964 when they won the NFL Championship after he led the league in touchdown passes with 25 in his first of three straight Pro Bowl seasons.

Ryan ranks third in franchise history in touchdown passes and his 52-22-2 record yields the second greatest winning percentage for Browns quarterbacks ever.

2. Brian Sipe (1974-1983)

Injuries limited Sipe for his first five years in the NFL, but by 1978 the Browns found themselves on the upswing thanks in large part to his quarterback play. And in 1980, Sipe led Cleveland to the playoffs for the first time since 1972.

That season was his best as he earned Most Valuable Player honors after throwing for more than 4,000 yards with 30 touchdowns against just 14 interceptions. The year before, he finished third in MVP voting as he led the league with 28 touchdowns.

To this day, Sipe remains the Browns all-time leader in completions, attempts, and yards while ranking second in touchdowns.

1. Otto Graham (1946-1955)

Nobody in the sport was slinging the ball like Graham in the 1940s and early '50s. The Hall of Famer led the NFL in yards passing five times in his 10 seasons while winning seven professional Championships and making the title game all 10 times.

Graham retired at the top of his game after the 1955 season, having been talked out of retirement after 1954. He led the league in passing that final year and won MVP, as well.

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