Cleveland Browns pickup fifth-year option on Baker Mayfield, Denzel Ward
![Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) rushes back to the locker room after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns Extras 10](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fhttps-3A-2F-2Fdawgpounddaily-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F15495215-850x560-84e57d1320c00c825e114d4756e2ddc8f095e7582dd9fc1a15bca36578b326d7.jpg "Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) rushes back to the locker room after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns Extras 10")
In an unsurprising move, the Cleveland Browns decided to keep Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward for their fifth years
The immediate future of the Cleveland Browns football team got a little bit more clear on Friday, when it was announced the Cleveland Browns elected on to pick up the fifth-year options for quarterback Baker Mayfield and cornerback Denzel Ward.
Mayfield and Ward were both part of the Browns 2018 NFL Draft class, and selected with the first and fourth overall pick, respectively. Both have made significant marks in their short careers in the NFL thus far, and have proven enough to be locked up for one additional year than their original contracts.
The pick up of both options is a no-brained decision by general manager Andrew Berry and his front office staff, as they were both key ingredients in the recipe for success the Browns had in 2020. They’ll be looked upon to build upon the solid season’s they both had, and provide a spark to take the team one or two steps further in 2021 and beyond.
The #Browns have picked up the fifth year options on Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward, source said. Both no brainers. https://t.co/dZLKcBqLu5
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 23, 2021
Mayfield may have had an up and down start to 2020, but obviously proved enough to his coaches and general manger to warrant picking up the fifth year option, especially in the last half of the year.
Ward has battled injuries at times during his young career, but has proved to be a huge difference maker when on the field for the Browns defense. Provided that he has some talent in the secondary to assist him, he could see an even bigger jump in production in 2021.
With the Browns picking up both options, Mayfield will now have a fully guaranteed salary of $18.86 million, and Ward a fully guaranteed $13.33.
If the Browns continue to improve in 2021 and beyond, it’ll likely be because these two young players continue to develop and grow. Adding the fifth year option was an easy decision for the Cleveland Browns to make, and it allows them to go into the next two seasons with a fully laid-out plan.
Next. 3 safeties to draft in Day 2. dark
If they can execute it remains to be seen, but the rest of the NFL should watch out. The Browns, at least for the immediate future, are for real.