Only seven quarterbacks — Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, Eli Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Matt Schaub — are older than Stanton. Besides Schaub, each of them will likely start for their respective teams in Week 1, and the first six have arguments to enter the Hall of Fame.

Stanton likely will be the No. 2 backup to Baker Mayfield, who won the hearts of Browns fans after setting the rookie record with 27 touchdowns passes last season.

Mayfield is 11 years younger than Stanton and appears poised for a long NFL career. Stanton is in the last year of a two-year deal with the Browns and isn't sure what will come next, but he's not worried about that. Not one bit.

"I think it's just my competitive nature," Stanton said. "My role changes year to year, but my mindset doesn't."

Stanton's role is to provide as much support and information to Mayfield as possible, but Stanton won't call himself a "mentor." He doesn't know what to call that part of his role. He's just here to help Mayfield out with whatever he needs, and that list is a tad less for Stanton in Year 2 of the Mayfield era.

Stanton, who was Cleveland's third option behind Mayfield and Tyrod Taylor last season, is a snap away from becoming QB1, too, but that's how it's been for most of his career, which has weaved through stints with the Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals. His value with the Browns has been through his teaching, not playing. That might frustrate most quarterbacks, but not Stanton.

"That's the role that I want to be in," Stanton said. "I want to be the guy out there playing, but I realize the most important thing I do isn't going to come on a football field, unless that time comes. Understanding that and approaching it that way is something I always try to do. Where's my value and where can I help people out? That's why I was brought here."

Stanton's value is at its highest in quarterback meetings, and those are a bit easier with Freddie Kitchens as head coach. Kitchens was Stanton's quarterbacks coach when Stanton spent four seasons with the Cardinals, where Stanton appeared in 26 games.