Joe Thomas dishes on retirement, Tyrod Taylor, Baker Mayfield

The Browns finally have a quarterback teammates can believe in, and Joe Thomas won’t be part of the experience.

Thomas, on the same day in March the Browns acquired Tyrod Taylor from the Buffalo Bills for a third-round draft choice, announced his retirement after 10½ seasons has the Browns’ left tackle.

A streak of 10,363 consecutive snaps was ended by a triceps injury. Thomas would have had medical clearance to resume his career in 2018, but he decided his body just couldn’t take the physical demands another season would out on it.

“I think I’m really comfortable stepping away because I know my body just doesn’t have it anymore,” Thomas said on June 5 before throwing out the first pitch at Progressive Field prior to the game between the Indians and Brewers. “I’m sure I’ll (miss playing) once the season starts in September and I’m watching my guys.

“I’ll miss playing in the games and being in those locker rooms. I am retired, but I still spend a lot of time in Berea.”

Thomas is continuing his rehab from the triceps injury. He attends meetings and practice. He has lost 40 pounds from his playing weight of 310 pounds. His blue eyes are sharp. He looks younger than when he was playing.

Thomas is helping Shon Coleman, rookie Austin Corbett, Roderick Johnson and anyone else who might take over at left tackle along with other offensive linemen. He attends practice and meetings, where he has been impressed by Taylor and rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield.

“Tyrod is a really, really good quarterback,” Thomas said. “I don’t want to get into hyperbole here. But he took the Buffalo Bills to the playoffs last year for the first time in 18 years. He’s probably the best quarterback we’ve had here since Derek Anderson made the Pro Bowl (2007) my rookie year.”

The Browns were 10-6 in 2007, but missed the playoffs. They have had sub-.500 records in the 10 years since then.

Taylor was 22-20 in three years as a starter for Buffalo. The Bills lost a first-round game to Jacksonville, 10-3.

“Tyrod has an opportunity here to exceed what he did in Buffalo right away here,” Thomas said. “Our offense is leaps and bounds ahead of where we’ve been in the last 10 years.”

Thomas gave a glowing report about Mayfield, too. The longer Mayfield is in a Browns uniform, the more the baseless comparisons to Johnny Manziel fall away.

“It’s great having a guy like that as a rookie,” Thomas said. “He’s already smart, but I think he recognizes the work it takes to be an All-Pro quarterback, to be a starting quarterback. He’s willing to put that work in, which is awesome.”

Coach Hue Jackson has established Taylor as the starting quarterback. That will likely be re-emphasized when mandatory minicamp begins June 12. I didn’t know that

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Reach Schudel at JSchudel@News-Herald.com. On Twitter: @jsproinsider