Editor's note: Tony Grossi covers the Cleveland Browns for ESPN 850 WKNR.

It’s been 33 years since a transformative figure walked into Browns history and changed the team’s fortunes.

In 1985, Bernie Kosar didn’t walk in as much as swagger in. He beat the NFL draft system by graduating early and calling his shot where he played. He chose to stay close to his Boardman, OH, home and that’s how the Browns turned the corner in that era.

Now the transformative figure is Baker Mayfield, and he swaggered in, too, from Texas, via Oklahoma, as the first pick in the draft, carrying the Heisman Trophy in one hand and a giant chip on his shoulder.

As quarterbacks, they couldn’t be more different physically.

Kosar was tall and gangly, awkward on his feet, and unorthodox as a passer with more release points than Luis Tiant.

Mayfield is short, and maneuvers with quick, “smart” feet to create passing lanes amid the tall timbers of defensive linemen – a clone of Drew Brees with a better arm.

Mayfield throws everything hard, whereas Kosar had a repertoire of speeds. Both were deadly accurate and able to “throw open” receivers with precision passing.

What they also shared were all the magical ingredients that franchise quarterbacks possess – the ability to process the game on the field faster than defenders, to use their football intellect to beat opponents, to relax and inspire offensive teammates to make plays for them and believe in them.

Kosar took over the Browns organically, after an injury to veteran mentor Gary Danielson. Mayfield took over the Browns organically, after an injury to veteran Tyrod Taylor.

Kosar was prepped in a pro-style offense overseen by venerable coach Howard Schnellenberger at University of Miami. Mayfield piled up big numbers in the pure college “Air Raid” offense refined at Oklahoma by coach Lincoln Riley.

OK, so now what happens? Can Mayfield transform the Browns as quickly as Kosar did?

Ahead of schedule: Actually, Mayfield has been much better, more advanced, in two starts than Kosar was his entire rookie season.

Kosar was confined in an archaic offensive system that relied on two 1,000-yard rushers. The NFL game is far different 33 years later, of course. And Mayfield has benefitted from an offensive coordinator in Todd Haley with a legitimate NFL resume who ran productive offenses with two Super Bowl teams.

Kosar, truth be told, staggered through his rookie year. He threw eight touchdowns v. seven interceptions, won only four of 10 starts, and compiled a below-average passer rating of 69.3. The quarterback of the NFL all-rookie team in 1985 was Dieter Brock of the Rams, not Kosar.

Kosar was an integral player, however, in a turnaround season in which the Browns claimed the then-AFC Central Division title with a hard-fought 8-8 record. But he did not allay doubts about his unorthodox style and ability to win until his second season. That’s when the Browns updated their offense with able coordinator Lindy Infante. Kosar swiftly exceeded even Infante’s expectations.

Mayfield has won over everybody – teammates, opponents and neutral observers alike – much, much sooner than Kosar did.

But Kosar’s impact on the Browns and the city of Cleveland was dramatic.

Counting his rookie season in 1985, the Browns made the playoffs five straight seasons, won their division four times and appeared in three AFC Championship Games. Kosar outdueled John Elway in parts of the epic Championship Games in the 1986 and 1987 seasons, but coach Marty Schottenheimer’s defense simply could not defeat Elway to advance to the Super Bowl.

Expectations: In 1985, the AFC Central was down.

The Cincinnati Bengals were embarking on the Sam Wyche coaching era with young quarterback Boomer Esiason. The Houston Oilers were embarking on the quarterback Warren Moon era, but were struggling with coaching. The Pittsburgh Steelers were riding out the Chuck Noll coaching era without a bona fide quarterback.

The timing was right for the Browns and Kosar and Schottenheimer to seize the division.

The timing is different now for the Browns, at least this year. But things can change swiftly.

AFC North stalwarts Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Cincinnati have had their coach and quarterback in place for 12 years, 11 years, and eight years, respectively. They have 19 postseason appearances and three Super Bowls between them.

To expect the Browns and Mayfield to invade that turf instantaneously is unrealistic.

But after five weeks, the Browns are 2-2-1, tied with the Steelers, a product of their Game 1 tie, and have defeated the 3-2 Ravens. The Bengals are in first place at 4-1.

Because of their takeaway-crazy defense and Mayfield’s precociousness, the Browns have a chance right now to contend in the division for the playoffs.

It may be a year premature, however.

But the undeniable reality is that the Browns have found their transformative figure in Mayfield, like they did in 1985 with Kosar. That is more than half the battle. Their fortunes are changing.