CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Chargers 15th-year quarterback Philip Rivers didn't get to see the best of the Browns' Baker Mayfield. In fact, he saw by far his worst performance in four outings this season during the Browns' 38-14 loss to the Chargers. But he's still high on the rookie QB.

"He's a gritty, tough and competitive guy,'' said Rivers. "He has a heck of a career ahead of him. He made some really good throws today that were close. If I wasn't pulling against him to beat him, I would've said 'You should've caught those.' There were a couple of them that I thought they should've caught, but I'm glad they didn't.

"He's going to have a heck of a career. You can just tell in the way he commands. He was running no-huddles and doing all of that in his third or fourth start. He's going to be just fine."

Rivers looked around to acknowledge Mayfield after the game, but they didn't get a chance to connect. If he had the chance to give him a piece of veteran advice, it would be to stay even-keeled.

Mayfield completed 47.8 percent of his passes, threw two interceptions, was sacked five times and earned a 52.6 rating Sunday.

"I was able to learn a bit of that from watching (former Chargers and Saints QB) Drew (Brees) those first two years,'' he said. "He's lost some tough games at Oklahoma. There weren't many. He's used to winning most of them. I think that at this league in the quarterback position and any other position, you're going to win some tough games and lose some.

"You have to come back in on Monday and do the same thing. On Tuesday, do the same thing and you are in this thing for the long haul. If you ride the rollercoaster, it can be tough. That's what I would've said. Not that he needs to hear that from me."