Browns' Mayfield addresses stare-down: 'If you don't like it, whatever'

So much for deny, deny, deny.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield seemed to admit he stared down former Browns head coach Hue Jackson during Sunday's win over the Cincinnati Bengals, according to ESPN's Pat McManamon, mere days after young signal-caller denied it.

Cameras appeared to catch Mayfield staring down Jackson - currently a special assistant with the Bengals - while passing the sidelines during the Browns' 26-18 victory.

"I don't get why people have a problem with football being a competitive sport," Mayfield said Wednesday when asked if he would acknowledge the stare-down. "You're supposed to play with emotion, you're supposed to play with passion. Quite honestly, if you don't like it, whatever. Football's not meant to be a soft game. Could care less."

The 23-year-old elaborated on his cutthroat mentality.

"Everybody is competitive in a different way," Mayfield said. "I'm not trying to be anybody else. I've been who I am. That's gotten me here. And I'm going to continue to do that because I try and improve every week and I have that same mindset."

"I don't have to make any friends outside of this locker room," he continued. "I'm not trying to do that. Once they're in here, they know exactly what they're gonna get. And that's what really matters."

Mayfield and the Browns defeated Cincinnati on both occasions this season for Cleveland's first season sweep of its division rival since 2002.