Browns: Baker Mayfield has not shown to deserve a Josh Allen-like contract

Baker Mayfield has not proven to the Browns he’s worth Josh Allen-type money, yet.

Baker Mayfield is now proverbially on the clock. With Josh Allen being the first of the three quarterbacks from the 2018 Draft to sign their first extensions, all eyes will now be on the Browns’ Mayfield and the Raven’s Lamar Jackson. The only problem is, Mayfield has had three very different years in Cleveland. His rookie year saw him have a very good season, while his 2019 campaign was very maligned and his 2020 season was among the top 10 best in the league; making 2020 a great season.

Which Mayfield is the real Mayfield, however? The fact that question has to be asked is proof that the Browns should hold off on giving Mayfield a Josh Alien-like contract in 2021, that is until they know for sure which way Mayfield is gonna go as a player.

Allen signed a six-year, $258 million deal, with $150 million guaranteed. That means the Bills are going to have to pay him on average $43 million a year. The exact breakdown of his contract is not yet known as of this writing.

Baker Mayfield has been good for the Browns but not that good

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The Browns have a winner in Mayfield but is he a winner worth $43 million per year? That’s a no, at least for right now. The Bills have been to the playoffs twice with Allen, and would’ve been the Browns AFC Championship opponents in 2020 had the Browns defeated the Kansas City Chiefs. Those two playoff appearances the Bills have made, coupled with the incredible leaps Allen has made as a quarterback from year to year have made it pretty clear that Allen was worth a nice deal.

Will Mayfield get $40+ million if he signs this year? That’s unlikely. Something in the low $30’s would make more sense if he signs this year. A six-year deal, say $192 million with $96 million guaranteed would be digestible; if not a bit robust.

Anything more than that, based on the work presented over the last three years, would be an overpay. He very well may out-earn his contract or fail to live up to it. Either is possible. Until we know for sure, we have to just hope for the best.