The heir apparent: Jackson indicates Mayfield is Browns' backup QB

Hue Jackson has maintained all offseason that Tyrod Taylor will be the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. On Sunday, the head coach seemingly revealed the team's backup.

"I think that I already proved who that is. It is Baker (Mayfield)," Jackson said at his post-practice press conference Sunday.

Jackson seemed to prove it with his actions on Thursday. When Taylor went down with a hand injury in the first quarter of the Browns' preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Mayfield was called into action.

"Baker is there. We have not played a regular-season game yet so we will see how that all unfolds. I feel good about the things that Baker went in and did in the game," Jackson said.

Though it would seem obvious that the first overall pick in April's draft would hold at least a backup role going into the regular season, the Browns also have veteran Drew Stanton on the roster. Nonetheless, it appears Mayfield has done enough this preseason to rank No. 2 on the depth chart.

However, Jackson seemingly attempted to walk back his announcement when asked if the final preseason game will have any bearing on the team's backup job.

"I pretty much have my mind made up on where that is. I have not set it officially so you guys can write it. ... I like to tell my team first before I make those decisions on what we are doing. We will kind of go from there," he said.

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