Predicting What Baker Mayfield's New Deal Might Look Like

The NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and it’s obvious to those around it. The great QB’s drive their teams down the field and guide them to the Super Bowl. They are the unofficial face of a roster consisting of 46 active players each week. And so, the biggest contracts are generally handed out to them.

That being said, there are a number of QB’s looking to make it big in the payment area soon. The QB’s from the class of 2018 are due to be paid this coming winter following their fourth year in the league. Let’s take a look at what Baker Mayfield might make when his time is here.

Numbers Keep Rising

After leading the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory in 2012 following an incredible playoff run, Joe Flacco secured the bag. He might have been the most unheralded name to ever sign the then-biggest contract ever. But boy, he earned every single penny of it at the moment he did sign it. No question about it.

And as the years go by, the amount of money being paid to the signal-callers is increasing. Aaron Rodgers was once the highest-paid gunslinger. He now ranks at No. 6, tied with Jared Goff at $33,500,000 a year. And of course, Patrick Mahomes leads the league and will for a long time.

$50 million a year for a QB is not that far away now, but paying somebody that much would be capping your team out significantly. Josh Allen is second right now with roughly $43 million a year. Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield, and Sam Darnold are all due for raises. So, let’s get into what Baker might be able to make.

Total Amount of $

All in all, Baker Mayfield has had a very successful Browns tenure. Not only did he guide his team to the playoffs last season, but he got them a playoff win. In Cleveland, that is considered monumental given all the ridiculous struggles they had been through since 1999.

Realistically, a Mayfield contract could pay in the ballpark of $120-$150 million. That’s a wide range, but it could run anywhere in there. There is a possibility of a local overpay, but that ballpark figure is pretty accurate.

The big thing is that they want to stay flexible in the other areas, and not commit too much money on Baker. He has earned a lot, but not THAT much. Unless he goes off and is a top-5 QB that is.

Overall Contract

Cleveland should be looking to make a four-year commitment to the former No. 1 overall pick. The Browns got a “real” head coach last season, and look at what happened. Kevin Stefanski is just what Baker and the organization needed.

A four-year $140 million deal could be a target total for the Browns and their QB. Baker making $35 million a year is hefty, but it’s the market. He has not come close to being good enough to earn $40+ million a year but has earned a nice number.

The man has the Browns relevant again. He went off in the early part of the playoff matchup with Pittsburgh. Pay the man. $140 million. Boom. Payday. Booyah.