Baking A New Deal

By Lawrence Lang and Mike Rifkin

Bills quarterback Josh Allen just signed a six-year 258 million dollar contract with 150 million guaranteed. One person looking at that contract is the Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield who can sign an extension like Allen. Mayfield, the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft last season, threw for 3,563 yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight interceptions and led the Browns to the AFC Divisional game where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 22-17. Mayfield has been the Browns starter since week three of the 2018 season when quarterback Tyrod Taylor got injured in that same game. Mayfield would lead the Browns to their first win in over a year by beating the New York Jets 21-17, ending the streak of 19 games without a win. 

Last season, the Browns went 11-5 and finished 3rd in the AFC North but secured a wild card spot, and on Wild Card Weekend, went into Pittsburgh and defeated the rival Steelers by a 48-37. Mayfield in the game went 21-34 for 263 yards and three touchdowns. In May, the Browns did pick up Mayfield’s fifth-year option, but that doesn’t prevent them from signing him to a long-term contract. Because of last season and some of the Browns’ moves, there are high expectations in Cleveland. One of the biggest reasons Cleveland has such high expectations is that star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is returning to the team off a torn ACL. He is joining a team that had the league’s best rushing attack last season. 

 So the front office has time to decide if Mayfield is their franchise guy, but the better he plays and the better the team is, the more money they will have to pony up. But we will see if the Josh Allen deal puts any pressure on the Browns to get a deal done with their Baker. As in Buffalo, there are championship expectations in Cleveland. Can the Browns and Mayfield get it done?