No Substantive Extension Talks Between Browns & Baker Mayfield’s Reps

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports that the Browns and QB Baker Mayfield’s representatives haven’t had any substantive talks regarding a potential extension yet and the situation could end up stretching into October.

Cabot adds that neither side is attempting to rush the deal, as both are certain it will get done in time.

As of now, neither side has exchanged a contract proposal, but the lines of communication remain open. 

The Browns have already picked up Mayfield’s fifth-year option worth $18.858 million and are likely committed to him as their quarterback of the future. Beyond that, Cabot mentions that Mayfield’s agents are also aware that Browns GM Andrew Berry must extend the contracts of RB Nick Chubb, G Wyatt Teller, and CB Denzel Ward.

Another factor is the upcoming contracts for Bills’ QB Josh Allen and Ravens’ QB Lamar Jackson. Cabot notes if Allen and Jackson command a value of more than $42 million a year, Mayfield would not settle for the current market value of $35 million.

While the Browns have already picked up Ward’s fifth-year option at $13.294 million and the price of his extension would be easier to deal with as if it ends up being less than half of Mayfield.

Jack Mills, the lead agent for Mayfield’s team, told Tony Grossi he’s optimistic about a new deal coming soon, though extension talks with the Browns have included “no specifics” or a timetable. 

“But I think something will be done this summer,” Mills said. “As far as trying to get a deal done, I don’t know if it’ll get done. It’s something that would be pretty much in the team’s control.”

Mills added that Mayfield has no problem being the first of the 2018 quarterback class to sign a long-term deal and he isn’t waiting for others to set the market to try and beat it. 

“We’re not going to be dragging it out,” Mills said. “I think there’s been enough contracts done for quarterbacks lately that give us a pretty good idea of what the market is. And, of course, we know that the [salary] cap isn’t going up this year but it’s going up next year and next. We pretty much know what’s coming on down the road and what’s been done. We don’t have any particular reluctance about doing a deal.”

Mayfield, 25, was drafted with the No. 1 overall pick out of Oklahoma in 2018. He’s entering the fourth year of a four-year, $32.68 million rookie deal that included a $21.85 million signing bonus. 

The Browns exercised Mayfield’s fifth-year option which will cost Cleveland $18.858 million fully guaranteed in 2022. 

In 2020, Mayfield appeared in all 16 games for the Browns and completed 62.8 percent of his passes for 3,563 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed 54 times for 165 yards and an additional touchdown. 

We’ll have more on Mayfield as the news is available.