Cleveland Browns Will 'Definitely' Pick Up Fifth-Year Option On QB Baker Mayfield

Prior to the 2020 season, there were some question marks about the long term future of Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. The 25-year-old, who was the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, had had plenty of ups and downs as a starter in the NFL up to that point.

Then, in 2020, it all started to come together.

Mayfield threw for 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions as the Browns went 11-5, topped the Steelers in a AFC Wild Card game on the road at Heinz Field, and then gave the eventual AFC Champion Chiefs all they could handle in the AFC Divisional Playoff affair.

A big reason for that is the play of Mayfield, who showed poise as well as maturity. He had a 95.9 quarterback rating, and he avoided back-breaking mistakes that in the past would have killed the Browns' chances of victory.

Mayfield won over the fans and it appears the organization, and now the club is set to reward him by picking up the fifth-year option of his rookie contract.

The rookie deal for Mayfield will run through 2022, and according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the team will “definitely” pick up the option.

The young Browns have some tough decisions to make when it comes to franchise players, as the club will also need to pick up the option on cornerback Denzel Ward by May 3rd.

In three seasons as the Browns' starting quarterback, Mayfield has a mark of 23-22, throwing for 75 touchdowns and 43 interceptions.

Cleveland is going to get plenty of publicity as an AFC contender for the Super Bowl next season, and getting Mayfield under contract is an important move that the team has to take care of sooner rather than later.