The 2018 quarterback class is nearing the end of its rookie contract term.
Extensions for the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen, Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, and Cleveland Browns’ Baker Mayfield are the topics of the preseason.
Last week, the first domino fell; Allen got paid big bucks.
#Bills QB Josh Allen has officially signed his 6-year, $258M extension. The full $100M guarantee at signing is the most in NFL history, surpassing Dak Prescott ($95M). The total injury guarantee of $150M at signing is the most in NFL history surpassing Patrick Mahomes ($141.5M). pic.twitter.com/86DEp3J1eN
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 6, 2021
The speculation continues for Jackson and Mayfield.
Jackson is just entering camp after suffering from COVID-19 so his health is a bigger priority right now.
Mayfield is the one who gets barraged with the contract questions more so now that Allen signed.
His answer is similar each time he is asked.
Baker Mayfield on whether he cares if extension negotiations linger into the season: “I’m not doing the negotiations so quite frankly I don’t give a damn. I’m worried about winning…” pic.twitter.com/OynrmhzCcz
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) August 8, 2021
Mayfield knows he will get paid, the question is how much.
Projecting Mayfield’s Contract
Josh Allen set several #Bills single season records last year.
He had 45 total TDs, second most in the league, after MVP Aaron Rodgers. He even received MVP votes himself.
Next up for new deals? Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson. pic.twitter.com/SroCK3W7xu
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 6, 2021
Allen is a Pro Bowler whose stats are better than Mayfield’s.
To be fair, Mayfield had four coaches in three seasons, and the current offense Mayfield runs is contingent upon the running game led by Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt so the comparison between Allen and Mayfield is not an apples-to-apples one.
If Mayfield’s extension does not happen before Week 1 and he has a stellar season, his contract value could be at or above Allen’s.
It appears that Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott have started the $40+ million a year quarterback club, and those young quarterbacks with a decent career leading up to their extensions can expect to become a member of this elite, well-compensated group.
What If
Mayfield could get paid Allen money, but what if he does not?
There is a school of thought that believes that Mayfield may accept less money for a couple of reasons.
One, he idolizes Tom Brady who has historically taken less money than his market value so that the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers could build around him.
Second, Mayfield has said more than once that he would like to stay in Cleveland.
The Browns, under GM Andrew Berry, have paid players fairly but not necessarily the top of the market.
Consider Chubb’s extension that was finalized at the end of July.
After the Nick Chubb extension, the #Browns have two elite backs — Chubb and Kareem Hunt — under combined cap hits of $8.8 and $10.2 million in 2021 and 2022. That number increases after that as Chubb's deal progresses, but those are good clips for a top-shelf duo.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 2, 2021
Chubb is not the first who wants to be in Cleveland and is willing to take a pay cut to do so.
Baker Mayfield has increased his income with endorsements Josh Allen hasn't had.
Baker idolizes Tom Brady who has never been paid his full value.
John Johnson took a discount
Nick Chubb took a discount.
Baker Mayfield will take a discount. pic.twitter.com/30TwC4Okhn
— Nick Karns (@karnsies817) August 6, 2021
Mayfield has plenty of endorsements so he is not 100 percent dependent on the Browns for his annual salary.
Could he essentially give some of the salary back to the Browns to keep his offensive line intact or other key players?
We will find out in due time.
NEXT: Retaining Nick Chubb Was A No-Brainer Move For Browns