CLEVELAND — Baker Mayfield will wear a different uniform next season, but despite his departure to the Panthers, some Browns fans still think of Mayfield fondly.

Chris McNeil has a unique connection to Baker Mayfield. He gained national attention after he hosted a “perfect season” parade Jan. 6, 2018, following the Cleveland Browns’ 0-16 season in 2017.

The Browns drafted Mayfield just a few months later. 

“We had the parade commemorating the fact that we went 0-16 and lost every single game. Then you had Baker Mayfield come in and give the Browns some hope,” said McNeil. 

McNeil said while the ending wasn’t exactly a fairytale one, he said he believes Browns fans should hang on to the good memories of Mayfield. The quarterback lead the team to its first playoff appearance since the early 2000s and first playoff win since 1994.

He said those memories are part of Mayfield’s legacy, especially for a franchise with so many struggles at the quarterback position. 

“For people who are younger than me, had never seen the Browns in the playoffs before. So that was certainly big for their fandom, and he also brought a swagger to this city and that quarterback position,” McNeil said. “We have had just quite a murderer’s row in a bad sense, in terms of quarterbacks, since we’ve been back, from Tim Couch on through. And he came on the field and he had a swagger and he seemed to back it up first.”

Now the Browns turn to Deshaun Watson, who is facing suspension from the league over multiple sexual misconduct allegations. McNeil said the debate over whether the Browns should have stuck with Mayfield or traded for Watson is divisive among fans. 

Cleveland Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam released a statement on Mayfield’s trading away.

“We want to thank Baker for all his contributions to the Cleveland Browns,” the Haslams said in a statement. “From the moment he was drafted, he gave his all for this organization and this city. With his fierce competitive spirit, he excited the fanbase and accomplished things that no player at his position had done in Cleveland for a very long time. He also made a difference in the community, whether it was hosting events at the Boys and Girls Club, honoring our troops, supporting the Special Olympics as well as countless other charitable endeavors. We are grateful for everything he did for this organization and wish him and Emily well in the future.”

McNeil said he is cheering for Mayfield next season and is encouraging fans to do so. However, he won’t be rooting for Mayfield during Week 1. The Browns open the season at Carolina against the Panthers.