Former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield gained a little clarity surrounding his contract situation on Friday. The Cleveland Browns announced they exercised the fifth-year options on Mayfield and Denzel Ward.
The options cover the 2022 NFL season, allowing the organization to work on a long-term deal with their No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft.
Mayfield, the No. 1 pick in 2018, had a breakout 2020 campaign in which he threw for 3,563 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His passer rating of 95.9 was the third-best mark in franchise history. Since taking over as the full-time starter in Week 4 of the 2018 season, Mayfield has started 45 consecutive regular-season games and made both starts in the team’s 2020 playoff games. For his career, Mayfield has thrown for 11,115 yards, 75 touchdowns and 43 interceptions.
We've exercised 5th-year contract options for @bakermayfield and @denzelward
Details » https://t.co/lRrcR88EBa pic.twitter.com/PJBIYAjByY
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 23, 2021
After one year in Lubbock, Texas, with the Red Raiders, Mayfield transferred to Oklahoma. Head coach Lincoln Riley help mold him into a NFL quarterback from 2015-17. He eventually won the Heisman Memorial Trophy and led the team into the College Football Playoffs for the first time during the 2015-16 college football season. They returned in the 2017-18 season with Mayfield at the helm.
This isn’t the last we will hear about Sooners and fifth-year options. Next offseason, Mayfield’s backup in Norman, Kyler Murray will be up for getting the fifth-year option call. For now, Mayfield is locked into Cleveland for two more seasons. It is quite possible he will get a new deal next offseason.
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