It sounds like 2022 will be a prove-it year for Baker Mayfield. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Browns met with Mayfield’s representatives this week and agreed that the quarterback wouldn’t sign an extension this offseason. However, the Browns reiterated their commitment to Mayfield as their starting QB in 2022.
This means Mayfield will play out the 2022 season on his fully guaranteed, $18.8M salary (via his fifth-year option). The 26-year-old would be a free agent next offseason.
2021 wasn’t a banner year for Mayfield (17 touchdowns vs. 13 interceptions), but he was clearly hampered by his injured shoulder. The former first overall pick underwent surgery on a torn labrum in January, which will keep him sidelined until May or June. Fortunately, he’s expected to be good to go for training camp, and Mayfield will have an opportunity to prove that he’s truly the team’s QB of their future.
Mayfield and the Browns have had their ups and downs through his four years in Cleveland, and an underwhelming 2021 campaign (coupled with a lack of substantial extension talks) have led some to question the Browns' commitment to their QB. Despite the rumblings, we learned last month that the Browns will planning to retain Mayfield for the 2022 campaign.
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