Impact of final 2 Browns games on Baker Mayfield’s contract extension
Baker Mayfield’s fourth season as the Cleveland Browns quarterback is about to wrap, and the times, they are confusing when it comes to figuring out his future with the franchise.
Some are ready to replace Mayfield, while others want to stay the course. Some are using the final two games as a referendum on Mayfield’s career with Cleveland. If he makes the playoffs, even if it’s based off a disappointing 9-8 record, then mission accomplished.
Browns fans will never take the playoffs for granted. There’s been to much losing not to be giddy about a trip to the postseason. That said, I don’t see Mayfield’s future with the Browns coming down to these final two contests.
You’ve got to account for the big picture, especially when considering the Browns acceptance of analytics. Mayfield’s had stretches where he’s looked great, but more often than not, he’s showed himself to be the definition of inconsistent.
Back in 2018, Mayfield burst onto the scene against the Jets in that memorable Thursday night thriller as an injury replacement for Tyrod Taylor. It looked like his career would take off, just as it did in Oklahoma.
However, as more tape became available on him, Mayfield really, really struggled. That led to Hue Jackson finally be fired. After Freddie Kitchens was made offensive coordinator, Mayfield elevated his game, setting a rookie record for touchdown passes (since broken by Justin Herbert).
Mayfield’s performance in the final half of 2018 led to Kitchens getting the coaching job in 2019, and Mayfield, like the Browns went on to be one of the biggest disappointments in the game.
When Cleveland started off 2020 with Kevin Stefanski, it took half a season to really get Mayfield humming. To his credit, Mayfield played the best football of his career in the second half of that season, which climaxed with a playoff win against the rival Steelers.
The final two months of 2020 had us all dreaming of a Super Bowl, but now, we’re relegated to scoreboard watching as the Browns’ playoff chances hinge on what the Chiefs do against the Bengals.
Most of us were ready to dole out a huge extension to Mayfield after last season, but since then, all we’ve seen is an inconsistent quarterback who doesn’t come through in the fourth quarter. Don’t @ me. ‘Dems the facts, kid.
I don’t think this is a hard one for the analytically oriented front office. Playoff berth in 2021 or not, you can’t pay Mayfield $40 million per season. Heck, I have reservations about paying him $25 million per year.
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As for now, the Browns are committed to paying him $18 million in 2022, as the team picked up his fifth-year option. That’s a fine price for the 15th, 16th, or 17th best quarterback in the league, depending on how you view him–and that’s what he is.