Browns rep up fifth-year alternate choices on QB Baker Mayfield, CB Denzel Ward
The Cleveland Browns made no-brainer strikes deciding on up the fifth-year alternate choices on each of their 2018 first-spherical picks.
NFL Community’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport reported that the Browns picked up the alternate choices on quarterback Baker Mayfield and nook Denzel Ward, per sources told of the difficulty. The team later announced the alternate choices had been exercised.
With the present collective bargaining settlement, fifth-year alternate choices on ancient first-spherical picks are now guaranteed upon being officially exercised. In earlier seasons, the alternate choices had been guaranteed for hurt entirely.
The No. 1 general rep in 2018, Mayfield’s fifth-year likelihood is value $18.86 million in 2022. After making one Pro Bowl, Ward will design $13.294 million on the fifth year. As for what comes next, when it comes to possible prolonged-interval of time extensions, Browns general manager Andrew Berry shunned that question in his Friday recordsdata convention.
“You doubtlessly know me well ample that I’m no longer gonna in actuality talk on that in this setting,” Berry acknowledged. “I proper don’t think or no longer it’s acceptable. But clearly we all know each those gamers are extension eligible.”
It be been an up-and-down originate to Mayfield’s profession. After a stellar rookie advertising campaign, he struggled in 2019. The QB bounced back in a mountainous system below coach Kevin Stefanski, helping lead the Browns to their first playoff appearance since 2002 and knocking off rival Pittsburgh within the postseason.
In three seasons, Mayfield has tossed for 11,115 yards with 75 touchdowns and 43 interceptions. In 2020, he achieved 62.8% of his passes for 3,563 yards with 26 TDs and 8 INTs.
Ward proved to be a lock-down nook from the soar, making a Pro Bowl in his rookie advertising campaign. Whereas struggling with by means of accidents, Ward has compiled seven INTs, 40 passes defended, two forced fumbles and 143 tackles.