Cleveland Browns must react to Patrick Mahomes extension with Baker Mayfield
By Grant Puskar
What the Mahomes deal means for Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
Monday afternoon, the Kansas City Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes agreed on a new 10-year extension, making his current contract a 12-year deal.
While we wait on the specifics of this contract when it comes to the financial side of things, this contract could change the game for franchise quarterbacks, such as Baker Mayfield of the Cleveland Browns.
Yes, Mahomes is a generational type talent, but I still believe that this contract will change the game for every quarterback out there floating around a new deal to be a team’s franchise guy.
Chiefs and QB Patrick Mahomes have reached agreement on a 10-year -- 10-year! -- contract extension that ties him to Kansas City through the 2031 season, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 6, 2020
When I say teams such as the Browns need to “act quick”, that doesn’t mean extend Mayfield right now. Who on earth would extend a quarterback coming off the ugly season that Mayfield had last season?
This upcoming season will be the biggest one yet for Mayfield. If he performs, he puts pressure on the Browns to start thinking about an extension before the market is through the roof.
Think about it this way. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has been trying to get a new extension for some time now. While just about everyone can agree that he is asking for way too much considering he’s a slightly above-average quarterback, I believe he will without a doubt eventually get a modified version of this Mahomes deal.
Why? This is the new franchise quarterback market. Mahomes’ new deal could earn him anywhere from $400-$500 million, and I would be shocked if it were anything lower.
If Mayfield comes out and has another scary season, you scrap it and start back over in the quarterback search. That scenario, however, is very unlikely. Mayfield should shine in this new system, led by new head coach Kevin Stefanski. It is a run-first system, taking more pressure off of Mayfield. If Mayfield leads the Browns to the playoffs this season, the Browns must act quickly.
A huge win for this franchise would be Mayfield shining this season and the Browns getting an extension done before Prescott and the Cowboys come to an agreement. No, Mayfield and Prescott are not even in the same discussion as Mahomes in terms of talent.
Next. 5 options at QB if Browns lose Mayfield to injury in 2020. dark
That said, they are both still going to be very, very expensive. If the Browns want a small, feel-good victory, it will be Mayfield balling out this season and the Browns getting a deal done as quickly as possible.