ESPN doesn’t have any NFL football games to broadcast until September.
But that doesn’t mean they can’t join Cleveland Browns fans in debating our favorite topics.
For the crew at the network’s “Get Up” morning show, Monday’s topic was Baker Mayfield’s contract status.
Host Mike Greenberg first asked long-time NFL executive Mike Tannenbaum what the Browns should do.
“Are you giving the big deal to Baker Mayfield right now?” asked Greenfield.
Tannebaum emphatically rejected the notion before laying out his reasons.
The former general manager of the Jets first espoused a hardball financially-sound approach for the Cleveland Browns.
He pointed out that Mayfield is under contract for just $10 million this season.
Cleveland can keep Mayfield behind center with his fifth-year option and then a 2023 franchise tag.
That adds up to three years of a potential franchise quarterback at the bargain price of $69 million.
But then Tannenbaum dropped a line that really had Baker-backers yelling at their television:
“Baker Mayfield has a skillset that is replaceable. When you think about guys like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, those are much harder guys to replace. So, pay as you go. You don’t need to take the risk of guaranteed money like they did with Carson Wentz and Jared Goff. And if you’re Cleveland, if he ever graduates down the road, you can replace his skill set much easier than those other guys.”
Hasselbeck Says Pay The Quarterback
Before soliciting former NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck’s opinion, Greenberg piled on Mayfield.
He said head coach Kevin Stefanski was responsible for Mayfield’s success in 2020.
“If so, then maybe a lot of other players can put in that position and succeed,” said Greenberg.
Hasselbeck didn’t exactly laud Mayfield as an elite, franchise quarterback.
But he did offer a word of caution in suggesting the Browns do right by their offensive leader.
“You’re taking the risk that a (comparable) replacement is available. I’m not arguing his isn’t a replaceable skillset compared to Lamar or Josh Allen. But I would argue that his skill set in comparison to say, a Kirk Cousins, is better. You’re hoping someone is available to replace him with, but I don’t think that is a given.”
As an ex-quarterback, Hasselbeck might hold a prejudice towards rewarding Mayfield’s playoff season.
And it makes sense to keep contract negotiations amiable if you want the player to give it all he has.
.@bakermayfield + @obj connect for the 35-yard TOUCHDOWN!#MIAvsCLE pic.twitter.com/pYl2aWz9ju
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 24, 2019
Tannenbaum preached the cautionary tale on everyone’s mind of the expensive mistakes made with Wentz and Goff.
Of course, he has a more personal example of an early contract extension gone awry.
After Mark Sanchez led the Jets to consecutive AFC Championship games in his first two seasons, Tannebaum giddily rewarded his apparent franchise quarterback.
Neither Sanchez nor the Jets have played a postseason game since.
Baker was not the reason theBrowns struggled before and he’s not the only reason for success last year. Three head coaches 4 OC and sketchy receivers. He knows the offense . Try him again.
Both the qb’s he has compared baker too have been in stable situations. Baker also has the same number of playoff wins as Lamar Jackson…
Finally! Thanks for posting this article Pat. No doubt the Baker backers who droll over this guy are livid! They can’t understand that this NFL exec just called Mr. Mayfield AVERAGE. You people are reaching, in hopes of trying to make Baker great when he isn’t
Make the trade!
Baker
OBJ
1st/thrid/fourth (we have two of the later)
= Deshaun!!
You have no idea all their QB’s can’t touch bakers arm and accuracy
Haha “I have no idea” hahaha
The number “30” in front of Bakers name is where he ranks amongst NFL starting QB’s for the 2020 season. There were 29 quarterbacks ranked above, and five ranked below..
30 Baker Mayfield Cleveland Browns QB 62.7%
30th? By what measure? Completion rate? That’s such a silly way of measuring someone’s performance. It doesn’t even effectively measure accuracy – doesn’t take difficulty of throws (Big Ben & Carr didn’t throw deep so got an easy bonus, for example) or receiver drops, throwaways on busted plays etc into account.
You’re talking about a guy who failed miserably with both the Jets and the Dolphins. That’s his NFL resume.
Whatever he says ain’t worth a thing.
Looks like my last comment was deleted because it wasn’t Baker friendly. Basically I praised Pat for posting this article that tells the truth about Baker. You people want him to be the man soooo bad. Bet it’s the same crowd that thinks Tim Tebow was a legit NFL quarterback.. smh
I dont think think Mayfield is an Elite QB Right now, probably 10-15 in the league at the moment, and yes I know he rated 9th last year. But honestly you lost all credibility when you compared his 75 TD 62% and 11,000 yards, 89 Rating and 96 last year in 46 games to a guy who had 17 TD 48% 2400 and 75 Rating in 35 games. Both played 3 years and are in no way comparable. Baker is an above average starter, but not a franchise QB.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on my post. Baker is more like an 17-21 guy when ranked amongst his QB peers.
Haha credibility? How so? The comparison isn’t about production friend. Its all about a certain demographic wanting to see these guys make it so bad, that they become blind to the obvious.
Glad to see you bring out the numbers on Tebow! Now, be honest.. You are well aware of people that think of this guy as an awesome QB. I remember people in Denver stadium chanting his name when he completed EIGHT of FIFTEEN passes hahaha – Get real
We can bring in Cam to compete with Baker. Watch cam win the job and have an even better year than Baker did last year.
why does every browns website have a town idiot
Incredible!!
Is this a joke?? Hahaha! Your “log name” says it all. Please read it again!
Here we are having a discussion about football, and perhaps it is difficult for you to articulate and write your ideas, this is why you resort to insults. No worries though ~ I still love you fam. It’s not just you… Our society as a whole has become so dependent on technology, that like you, many walk around daily with their brains turned off.
Let’s get back to an awesome, healthy discussion about Browns football!!
The numbers don’t lie and at the disposal of your fingertips. Do some research and it should reveal how Baker actually ranks. Yes!! Dude did improve, but it was the coaching that kept him in his realm.
30 Baker Mayfield Cleveland Browns QB 62.7%
I bet you will see the real Baker next year look out baker and the boys are coming for that Lombardi trophy
You all forget the procession of QBs we’ve had march through Cleveland in the last twenty years. Baker might not be elite (the jury is still out) but he’s a heck of a lot better than what we’ve had lately. (Manziel anyone?) Yes, Stefanski has a lot to do with his success, much like Belichick with Brady. Pick up year five and see where it goes. Mayfield is still way above anyone we’ve had in recent years.
Baker is not elite, nor will he ever be, but you are right. He is the most complete QB we’ve had in what 20 years!! lol
There are whispers that Russel Wilson is available.
Baker
OBJ
1st/3rd/4th (we have two of each in the later rounds)
Browns would be legit Super Bowl contenders with improvements made to the defense.
I am amazed. Cleveland Browns were the absolute bottom feeders of the NFL just 4 years ago. Baker says “draft me and I will turn this around.” He has in just three short years. The new coach has just been there one year. The winnining attitude change began before he showed up and Mayfield’s confidence and attitude caused that. His unique skill set is making teammates want to be better.
finally got a team that wins..I SAID TEAM!!!..he is a big part of that…we shall see this year and shut almost all the haters….again we shall see..
Yep and aren’t you non Baker the same idiots that said Tampa and Tom Brady never had a chance. A quarter back can only do so much, but with this team finally coming together and playing as one Baker will get a chance to highlight his skill set going forward. Plus his win at all cost attitude has rubbed off on the entire team as well. He is similar to a young Tom Brady and I see him doing great things for Cleveland. Baker is awesome, Mike T. will destroy what the Browns have strived for over the next few years. Just him talking shit like that undermines the players and coaches. I think the team has a shot at the SB next year and I hope they do it and then play Money Ball with Mike Tannenbaum. ONE TO THE HEAD!!!! If you get my drift…
Go Browns….
Loving the conversation. Thanks for reading the piece! One thing is for sure… we know we can win games with Baker. But he remains the most intriguing QB for 2021. Will he step up and flirt with elite status in the second year in this system? Or will he be exposed against a tougher schedule? I guess we’ll have to watch the games and find out!
Pat, Baker was exposed against the Jets! That was his opportunity to prove he could carry a team. Be the man that so many of you want him to be; and he flopped!! Against the JETS!! Pat…
Good thing he is still under contract and we aren’t obligated to resign him, because you are right Pat. This year will expose him, and unfortunately the office guys (which seem to be awesome now) will look bad for not making a move for any of the top ten QB’s that are available this off season.
Baker is not a franchise QB… but that’s not what we need. Stefanski has established us as a ball on the ground team. Baker is valuable on and off the field. He has turned around the franchise. He got the Browns their first playoff win since 94. Baker will lead this team to a super bowl, just you wait. Everyone’s always “dawging” on Cleveland but this is different. This is a winning team and Baker deserves credit with that
Baker will be the G.O.A.T. (jk)
But he is the tip of the spear for this Cleveland Team! No denying that.
Hahah “the G.O.A.T ”
I’d argue that others would have done just as well if on this team with the same coaching staff and personnel.
Whats up with your screen name? It’s like you saw mine, changed one word to make it your own. Even the same style capitalization!? Where is your own creativity? Don’t be follower – do you and be you. There will never be another like you!