While the Cleveland Browns and quarterback Baker Mayfield haven’t come to an extension agreement, the team has presented all in on him as their franchise quarterback for years to come. A vast majority of the team’s fanbase is, also, all in on Mayfield’s future with the team.
Nationally, the perception hasn’t been as strong backing the former Heisman Trophy winner. Instead, some have focused on his record as the team’s starting quarterback or minimized his accomplishments in 2020 as a product of Kevin Stefanski’s offensive system.
Others wonder what Mayfield will be like when the team can’t surround him with as much talent after paying him whatever his big extension ends up costing them on the salary cap.
While the last point is fair, it is a fair question for all quarterbacks that sign huge deals. Teams must manage their salary cap around a good starting quarterback who is bound to get paid quite handsomely.
While it is rare that folks in the national media are believers in the Browns quarterback, ESPN’s Mike Greenberg placed his belief solidly behind Mayfield today on his show:
Baker Mayfield was drafted by a team that had gone 1-34 in its last 35 games. And in his first three seasons with that team, he lead them to more wins than losses. Oh and he did it despite having four different head coaches.@Espngreeny has a message for the Baker detractors: pic.twitter.com/hK4AapTydf
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) August 19, 2021
There are no lies in Greenberg’s statements and he does a good job of setting the scene for what Mayfield has been through in the NFL. The number of head coaches and offensive coordinator’s the Browns have had since drafting Mayfield in 2018 puts his success even further in perspective. He’s overcome so much to help create a winner in Cleveland.
He may be one of the few nationally but “Greeny” is on board with Baker Mayfield.
