Cleveland Browns: Next 3 players to lock up after Nick Chubb
By Greg Newland
1. Baker Mayfield – Quarterback
This one is extremely interesting to me. Do I think the Browns should sign Baker Mayfield long-term? Yes. Do I think that Mayfield is a top-10 quarterback in the NFL? Maybe.
Mayfield is exactly what the Browns need. A guy who can make plays when you need him and a guy that can get a locker room motivated to play.
I would never call him a game manager like Alex Smith or Andy Dalton, I think he is a step above that. However, I’m also not ready to call him Patrick Mahomes, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, or even Dak Prescott.
The Browns can certainly win a Super Bowl with Mayfield, but they won’t be able to if they pay him like those guys above are. Baker can’t completely carry a team on his back and does need help. Because of that, he will have to get a team-friendly deal, while being compensated more than fair.
If the Browns found a way to keep Mayfield under $30 million a year, I think they could keep a ton of other talents on the roster. Give him a big guarantee and signing bonus and let him keep making his money for commercials. Mayfield seems like a guy that is worried about winning, so let’s hope there is a chance for this scenario.
What if his demands are $35-40 million a year? That’s a tough one. Us Cleveland Browns fans have seen how hard it is to get a franchise quarterback, but I feel like we would turn into the Seattle Seahawks quickly.
Next. 4 Browns who could emerge as impact players in 2021. dark
A decent offense, but not enough pieces to compete for a Super Bowl.