Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have agreed to a 3-year, $165 million deal.

This adds $110 million and was expected to make $40 million this year, ending the offseason of doubt about what’s next for Mayfield with the Bucs.

Mayfield has been with the Bucs since 2023, and unless traded, that will continue until at least 2029 with the new contract.

According to reports, the Bucs originally offered $50 million a year, but based on how Mayfield has played in Tampa, he thought the offer was too low and got the deal up to $55 million a year, which ties for the third-highest among NFL quarterbacks.

The Bucs have won the NFC South or lost on a tiebreaker (last year to the Panthers) every season since 2021, and Mayfield has been part of the team since 2023.

Mayfield was a bit of a surprise performer when he joined the team, having been disappointing early in his career given the expectations he set for himself in college. He showed flashes of his potential during his short stint in Los Angeles with the Rams, but has been a top-level quarterback with the Bucs since he joined them, even earning an MVP case at points throughout last season.

Mayfield already had the Bucs’ record for highest-paid contract, and sets the new record as well with this deal. The word from interviews with players and coaches was that Mayfield wanted to be here and wanted to be the franchise quarterback for this team.

The Bucs open up their season this weekend against the Bengals in Cincinnati and will play their first home game in Tampa in week two against the Browns.

There may still be some bad feelings between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ starting quarterback and the Atlanta Falcons’ new head coach.

Kevin Stefanski was hired by the Falcons on January 17. Stefanski previously coached the Cleveland Browns, who started 13 QBs during his tenure, including current Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield.

Falcons beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter wrote an article where he called Mayfield and Deshaun Watson “failed QBs.” He received a community note on X. Fans noted that Mayfield led the team to the playoffs in 2020 with an 11-5 record.

This article managed to reach Mayfield’s feed. He was obviously not happy with the writer, but had more to say as well.

“Failed is quite the reach, pal,” Mayfield said, “Still waiting on a text/call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage. Can’t wait to see you twice a year, Coach.” 

The Buccaneers and Falcons have competed for a playoff spot the past couple of seasons. In 2024, the Buccaneers won in Week 18 to secure a playoff spot. Meanwhile, in 2025, the Buccaneers, Falcons, and Carolina Panthers all finished with an 8-9 record. The Panthers got the tie-breaker, but it’s clear the NFC South is hyper-competitive right now. 

Mayfield’s stint in Cleveland ended after 2021 when he was traded to the Panthers. He didn’t find much success in Carolina and requested a release. He was signed by the Los Angeles Rams. Although his numbers didn’t jump out, with just four touchdowns and two interceptions, he showed some positive signs and growth.

The Buccaneers signed him for the 2023 season. He was given the near-impossible task of replacing Tom Brady. Mayfield led the Buccaneers to the playoffs in the next two seasons. He also made the Pro Bowl in those seasons. 

On February 25, 2017, NFL quarterback Baker Mayfield was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, public intoxication, resisting arrest and fleeing.

Police officers responded to an assault call, and during the process, someone found the officer and was yelling at Mayfield. Mayfield was visibly intoxicated, and when he was asked to stay for a statement, he started causing a scene.

The officer instructed Mayfield to approach him, but he sprinted in the other direction, and the officer had to tackle him to put him in handcuffs.

Mayfield pleaded guilty to the public intoxication, disorderly conduct and fleeing charges. His charge for resisting arrest was dropped.

Mayfield was given $480 in fines, and he was ordered to pay $483.20 in restitution. He also had to complete 35 hours of community service, and he had to enroll in an alcohol education program.

Mayfield attended Texas Tech University before transferring to the University of Oklahoma. His career took off at Oklahoma, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 2017.

He entered the 2018 NFL Draft and was selected first overall by the Cleveland Browns. Mayfield had a good stint in Cleveland, and he helped lead the Browns to the playoffs in 2020 for the first time since 2002.

During the 2021 season, Mayfield played with a partially torn labrum, which impacted his play. After the 2021-22 season, the Browns traded for Deshaun Watson, which prompted Mayfield to request a trade.

He was traded to the Carolina Panthers, where he struggled and was released in December 2022.

Mayfield signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023, and he’s back to performing at a high level.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a roller coaster of a season, starting the season 4-6 before turning it around and making the playoffs at 10-7. The Buccaneers won their division for the fourth consecutive season before suffering a crushing loss to the Commanders in the playoffs, 23-20, on a game-winning field goal. The season still had a lot of great highlights, like the breakout of rookie running back Bucky Irving and another great season from quarterback Baker Mayfield.

>GET DEALS ON TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS TICKETS NOW!

The Buccaneers’ offseason was quiet, but the team made many key moves, like re-signing linebacker Lavonte David as well as wide receiver Chris Godwin. Both players were on the roster since the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl run in the 2020-2021 season and continue to be key pieces of the team. The Buccaneers also brought in free agent defensive end Haason Reddick on a one-year deal. Reddick struggled last season with the Jets, but in 2023 had 11 sacks on the season. Adding Reddick to the defense gives the Buccaneers a shot at improving an already solid unit. The Buccaneers did, however, also have some offseason departures like defensive lineman Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, linebacker K.J. Britt, cornerback Tavierre Thomas and safety Dee Delaney.

Heading into the NFL draft the Buccaneers held the 19th overall pick and selected wide receiver Emeka Egbuka out of Ohio State. The pick was a bit surprising since the Buccaneers already had a crowded wide receiver room, but with Godwin’s injury from last season and Mike Evans turning 31, the Buccaneers knew they would need a successor. The Buccaneers also drafted cornerback Benjamin Morrison, cornerback Jacob Parrish, edge rusher David Walker, edge rusher Elijah Roberts and wide receiver Tez Johnson.

The Buccaneers enter 2025 as the favorites to repeat as the NFC South winners, but will have their work cut out for them with the 18th hardest schedule in the NFL. Tampa Bay opens its season against its biggest divisional competition, the Falcons, whom it lost to twice last season. Their most difficult games this season will come against the Texans, Eagles, Seahawks, Lions, Bills and Rams.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS SCHEDULE & TICKET DEALS

• Week 1: Sept. 7 at Atlanta Falcons
• Week 2: Sept. 15 at Houston Texans (Monday Night Football)
• Week 3: Sept. 21 against New York Jets
• Week 4: Sept. 28 at Philadelphia Eagles
• Week 5: Oct. 5 at Seattle Seahawks
• Week 6: Oct. 12 against San Francisco 49ers
• Week 7: Oct. 20 at Detroit Lions (Monday Night Football)
• Week 8: Oct. 26 at New Orleans Saints
• Week 9: Bye Week
• Week 10: Nov. 9 against New England Patriots
• Week 11: Nov. 16 at Buffalo Bills
• Week 12: Nov. 23 at Los Angeles Rams (Sunday Night Football)
• Week 13: Nov. 30 against Arizona Cardinals
• Week 14: Dec. 7 against New Orleans Saints
• Week 15: Dec. 11 against Atlanta Falcons (Thursday Night Football)
• Week 16: Dec. 21 at Carolina Panthers
• Week 17: Dec. 28 at Miami Dolphins
• Week 18: Jan. 4 vs Carolina Panthers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Season/Game Odds

The Buccaneers open the season with +2800 odds of winning the Super Bowl for the first time since 2020. They also have +1300 odds of winning the NFC championship and are -2.5 favorites in week one in Atlanta vs the Falcons. 

The publisher receives a commission for links in this story. 

During the first quarter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game against the Indianapolis Colts, starting quarterback Baker Mayfield injured his ankle.

The injury happened on the one-yard line, where Mayfield looked to power through a touchdown. He was wrapped by Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner while coming down to the ground.

The Buccaneers’ medical team examined the quarterback before he stood up and left the game temporarily.

The Buccaneers put on backup Kyle Trask, who failed to get a touchdown. The Buccaneers ended up settling for a field goal on that drive. 

The opening drive saw Mayfield go for 5 of 8 for 56 yards 

Despite suffering an ankle injury, Mayfield returned for the Buccaneers’ next possession, where he rallied the team.

Needing to tie the game at 27, Mayfield was sacked and fumbled at Tampa Bay’s 41-yard line. The Buccaneers, who are 4-7, have lost the past six out of seven games.

Coach Todd Bowles said sloppiness is to blame.

“We’ve got to stop making silly mistakes,” he said. “We can’t work any harder. We work harder than anybody in the league, if not more. We’ve seen things 1,000 times at this point.”

Bowles also said Mayfield is sure to be the starter as long as he can deal with the pain.

The Buccaneers will play the Carolina Panthers on December 3.

A free agent on Monday and backup quarterback at gametime, Baker Mayfield was the hero nevertheless on Thursday Night Football for the Los Angeles Rams this week. With two days to prepare, Mayfield went on to stun the Las Vegas Raiders in a 17-16 upset, leading a game-winning 98-yard drive in the final two minutes.

“I don’t know if you could write it any better than that,” Mayfield said after the game.

Last week, Mayfield had been named the third-string quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, causing him to request his release. Once the Cleveland Browns’ franchise hopeful, he left the team in an unceremonious trade before the season and never adjusted well in Carolina. In desperate need of a quarterback after Matthew Stafford landed on the injured reserve list, Los Angeles announced Tuesday that the team had claimed Mayfield off waivers.

Because he was learning on extremely short notice, the Rams did not confirm that Mayfield would start Week 14 against the Raiders. Instead, John Wolford, who was also questionable with a neck injury before the game, appeared for the team’s first offensive possession but did not make any passing attempts. The team turned to Mayfield for the second possession.

Over the course of the game, Mayfield obviously struggled to adjust on the fly to the Rams’ offense and went on to complete 22 of 35 passes for 230 yards, a statistic aided heavily by his late-game heroics. Opposing quarterback Derek Carr and the Raiders’ offense scored 10 points in the first quarter but stalled for the rest of the game, and a field goal early in the fourth only put Las Vegas ahead 16-3.

With 12:20 remaining, Mayfield led the team on a grueling 17-play drive which culminated in a one-yard touchdown for running back Cam Akers. After the score, a well-rested Rams defense got a huge stop, forcing the Raiders to punt with just 1:45 remaining. Mayfield and the offense moved down the field from their own two-yard line, and with 10 seconds remaining, he found receiver Van Jefferson in the end zone for what would go on to be a game-winning 23-yard touchdown.

When Mayfield requested his release, there were a number of spots he could’ve landed as many teams continue to search for backup options at quarterback. But a starting job in Los Angeles on Thursday Night Football was probably the greatest challenge he could have faced. He exceeded every expectation one could have had for him, except maybe Sean McVay.

“Just like we drew it up,” McVay said after the game.

Some are wondering what Baker Mayfield will bring to the table as a member of the Los Angeles Rams.

The team will pick up the remaining $1.35 million on the former 2018 first-overall pick’s contract, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The move to sign Mayfield comes during a tough season following coming off a Super Bowl win the previous season.

Starting quarterback Matthew Stafford was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury on Saturday.

That means the 34-year-old will miss at least the next four games and will be out until week 17, ending his season.

In Stafford’s absence, John Wolford has handled the quarterback duties for the Rams.

However, the organization may have seen enough and could have given Mayfield a chance.

The Rams’ next game is Thursday against the Oakland Raiders, and reports indicate that it’s possible that he could start the game.

Regardless, this will be Mayfield’s third team he’s been on in the past couple of years.

In the offseason, the quarterback was traded by the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a conditional 2024 fifth-round draft pick.

However, the season has not gone as hoped for Mayfield.

In just five games with the Panthers, he has only totaled a quarterback rating of 18.3, which ranks 31st in the NFL.

On Monday, the Panthers decided to release him – allowing the Rams to put in a claim.

This will give Mayfield another fresh start under Sean McVay‘s system.

Unfortunately, the Rams will be without wide receiver Allen Robinson for the rest of the season – and quite possibly Cooper Kupp as well, who had surgery on his ankle last month.

It will be interesting to see how it works out, but it allows the Rams to evaluate a 27-year-old quarterback and see if he’s a fit for McVay.

If he plays well, the Rams will likely keep him around a little longer than next year.

Unfortunately, the team will be without a first-round pick this year because of the Stafford trade with the Detroit Lions.

To make matters worse, that pick is currently slotted at fourth overall.

That could have given the Rams a chance to draft one of the top quarterbacks in 2023 that features Bryce Young of Alabama.

So, the Rams aren’t left with too many ideal options and will take a low-risk swing at Mayfield, who was highly touted not too long ago.

The Carolina Panthers have fired Matt Rhule after spending just over two seasons with the team as head coach.

The Panthers announced that Steve Wilks will serve as the interim head coach going forward.

Additionally, the Panthers have fired defensive coordinator Phil Snow, with run game coordinator Al Holcomb expected to replace him. 

The move to fire Rhule and a major part of his staff comes after the team started 1-4 this year.

That leaves the 47-year-old with just an 11-27 record since becoming the head coach in January 2020.

Fans and the organization have been frustrated with the lack of winning, as Rhule’s hiring came with a whopping seven-year $62 million contract.

To make matters worse, starting quarterback Baker Mayfield is expected to miss weeks with a high ankle sprain.

Although he has struggled this year, the Panthers will have to turn to third-stringer P.J. Walker.

Sam Darnold, the Panthers starting QB for the bulk of last season, is out with a high ankle sprain of his own. 

The 27-year-old made an appearance on Sunday, throwing for 60 yards and completing 83% of his passes. 

In 10 games with the Panthers, Walker has thrown for a total of 790 yards. 

Next up, the question is if he will go back to coaching college football or get another job in NFL.

In his last season with the Baylor Bears, Rhule went 11-3.

He also said that the Panthers will only need to pay Rhule’s salary for this year only.

Rhule is still owed $40 million and will get all of it still.

“The salaries for the ensuing seasons are offset by what his future college job pays him,” Ian Rapport tweeted. 

And it remains to be seen if the coaching shake-up will turn around the team’s losing ways this season. 

On a counterpoint, fans and the organization may hope that the losing continues and that team ends up with the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. 

That could give them the right to draft one of the following quarterbacks: Bryce Young (Alabama) or C.J. Stroud (Ohio State). 

Next week, the Panthers face off against the Los Angeles Rams. 

After weeks of competition at training camp, it appears that Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule is finally ready to choose a course for his offense. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is expected to be named the starter for Week 1 ahead of Sam Darnold, who underwhelmed in his first season with the team last year.

The Athletic’s report on Wednesday does not necessarily come as a surprise, as Carolina traded with the Cleveland Browns for Mayfield during the offseason and named him as the starter in the team’s first preseason game. That being said, both quarterbacks have plenty to prove after disappointing starts to their careers. There may now be a starter in Charlotte, but it’s still unclear if there’s a winner.

Following a solid 2020 season in which Cleveland made the playoffs, Mayfield and the Browns seemed firmly in the hunt again in 2021 until they weren’t. On Dec. 20, the 7-6 Browns played the Las Vegas Raiders with a chance to take first place in the AFC East with a win. The next morning, they were in last place following a brutal 16-14 defeat.

Mayfield didn’t play because he could not clear COVID-19 protocols, but it may not have mattered, as he returned for two of the team’s final three games of the season and played poorly in two more losses.

Over the course of the regular season, Mayfield only managed to throw for more than 300 yards on two occasions. With the Browns in an intense division battle for most of the year, he earned an overall quarterback rating of 35.1. To make matters worse, the quarterback had to get surgery after the season to treat an injury to his non-throwing shoulder. Cleveland traded him away for a conditional fifth-round pick.

Meanwhile, Darnold’s first season in Carolina was even more disappointing. After beginning hot with three straight victories and four games over 250 yards, the former New York Jets quarterback regressed significantly for the rest of the season.

Missing most of November and December with a scapula fracture didn’t help, and between Oct. 10 and Jan. 9, Darnold only managed to throw for more than 200 yards on two occasions. The Panthers went 5-12, marking his fourth straight season below .500 to begin his career.

The battle for the Panthers’ starting job in 2022 is not one with personal glory or playoff hopes attached. That’s beyond the scope of what Carolina is currently capable of providing its players, even as Christian McCaffrey returns from injury in the backfield. Instead, the starting job in Carolina is an opportunity, one that both quarterbacks had to claw for.

With time running out on their “young upstart” reputations, both men have to deliver soon or fade into NFL obscurity. Mayfield’s earned the shot ⁠— for now.

There might be a quarterback controversy coming forth to the Carolina Panthers.

The Panthers have acquired Baker Mayfield for a 2024 conditional fifth-round draft pick – but general manager Scott Fitterer assured that he won’t be guaranteed the starting gig.

He will have to compete with Sam Darnold, who will make about $18.86 million in 2022 on his fifth-year option.

The Panthers will only be paying $4.85 million of Mayfield’s salary.

“The reason why we added Baker was to make the group better as a whole,” Fitterer said.

“Sam is very much a part of this competition. I think they’re both gonna rise and play their best football they have.”

The trade to the Panthers came after Mayfield became disgruntled with the Cleveland Browns after he was involved with trade rumors all off-season.

It even worsened when the Browns reportedly told Mayfield that they would not accommodate his trade request.

Then the Browns were able to strike a deal in June for controversial Deshaun Watson, who allegedly had around two dozen civil suits that accused him of sexual assault and misconduct.

Mayfield and Darnold went within the top three picks of the 2018 NFL draft.

Going first overall was Mayfield followed by Darnold at the third spot by the New York Jets.

While both have had their moments in the NFL – there’s been a fair share of struggles ­­– especially with Darnold.

Over Darnold’s 50-game NFL career, he has 54 touchdowns to 52 interceptions with his completion percentage (Cmp%) below 60%.

Mayfield, on the other hand, has thrown 96 touchdown passes to 56 interceptions, with a Cmp% of 61.6%

Both Mayfield’s and Darnold’s teams missed the playoffs last year.

And now, the two will compete against each other for a starting job.

The first preseason game for the Panthers will kick off on August 13. 

Former Cleaveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has been treaded to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a conditional 2024 draft pick. The Browns will receive a fourth or fifth-round pick dependent on how much Mayfield plays in Carolina. For it to convert to a 4th rounder, Mayfield will have to play at least 70% of the snaps.

The former No. 1 overall pick in 2018 joins a team that already has a crowded quarterback room. The Panthers draft Matt Corrall out of Ole Miss in the third round 2022 NFL Draft just a season after trading for former New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold. Reportedly, Mayfield will not be handed the starting QB gig and there will be a competition for the starting job.

Both Darnold and Mayfield were highly touted prospects in 2018, with Mayfield and Darnold being the first quarterbacks taken off the board in the 2018 NFL Draft taken at 1st and 3rd overall respectively. Mayfield and Darnold lead the NFL in total interceptions since entering the league in 2018.

Cleveland Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam released a statement regarding Mayfield and his contributions to the Cleveland community. “We want to thank Baker for all his contributions to the Cleveland Browns,” they said. “From the moment he was drafted, he gave his all for this organization and this city. With his fierce competitive spirit, he excited the fanbase and accomplished things that no player at his position had done in Cleveland for a very long time. He also made a difference in the community, whether it was hosting events at the Boys and Girls Club, honoring our troops, supporting the Special Olympics as well as countless other charitable endeavors. We are grateful for everything he did for this organization and wish him and Emily well in the future.”

Mayfield had requested a trade from the team following the acquisition of Deshaun Watson amidst his 25 civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct. His tenure in Cleveland was inconsistent and tumultuous. Mayfield played with four different head coaches in his Browns career and a shoulder injury last year caused significant declines in his game. This, plus the team’s declination of his fifth-year option and lack of contract negotiations was all fuel to the eventual divorce.

The Panthers play the Browns in Week 1 of the 2022 NFL Season.

Who’da thunk that trading for a quarterback and giving him nearly a quarter of a billion dollars in guaranteed money would rub the team’s current QB the wrong way? Clearly not the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns (for-the-immediate-time-being) QB Baker Mayfield says he feels “disrespected” by the team’s decision to trade for Deshaun Watson last month.

“One-hundred percent,” said Mayfield, who’s under contract for next year at $18.9 million fully guaranteed. “I was told one thing and they completely did another.”

He added that the suddenly QB-needy Seattle Seahawks are “probably the most likely option” for him.

“Even then, no idea,” said Mayfield. “I’m ready for the next chapter.”

“I really, truly, honestly have no regrets of my time in Cleveland of what I tried to give to that place,” Mayfield said. “True Clevelanders and true Browns fans know that.”

Watson still faces myriad civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct, though he maintains that he “never assaulted” or “disrespected any woman.”

With his team meeting with soon-to-be-former Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson ostensibly about a trade, current Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield released a statement Tuesday night on Twitter, saying “I have no clue what happens next.”

The statement in its sic’d entirety:

Cleveland,

The past 4 years have been nothing short of truly life changing since I heard my name called in the draft to go to Cleveland. This is not a message with hidden meaning. This is strictly to thank the city of Cleveland for embracing my family and me. We have made many memories and shared growing in this process through all the ups and downs. I have no clue what happens next, which is the meaning behind the silence I have had during the duration of this process. I can only control what I can, which is trusting in God’s plan throughout this process.

I have given the franchise everything I have. That is something I’ve always done at every stage, and at every level. And that will not change wherever I take my next snap. Whatever happens.. I just want to say thank you to the fans who truly embraced who I am and the mentality that aligned so well with this city’s hard working people.

Cleveland will always be a part of Emily and my story. And we will always be thankful for the impact it has had and will have in our lives.

Sincerely,

Baker Reagan Mayfield

Cleveland,

The past 4 years have been nothing short of truly life changing since I heard my name called in the draft to go to Cleveland. This is not a message with hidden meaning. This is strictly to thank the city of Cleveland for embracing my family and me. We have made many memories and shared growing in this process through all the ups and downs. I have no clue what happens next, which is the meaning behind the silence I have had during the duration of this process. I can only control what I can, which is trusting in God’s plan throughout this process.

I have given the franchise everything I have. That is something I’ve always done at every stage, and at every level. And that will not change wherever I take my next snap. Whatever happens.. I just want to say thank you to the fans who truly embraced who I am and the mentality that aligned so well with this city’s hard working people.

Cleveland will always be a part of Emily and my story. And we will always be thankful for the impact it has had and will have in our lives.

Sincerely,

Baker Reagan Mayfield

The former first overall pick underwent shoulder surgery after missing the final game of the Browns’ 8-9 2021 season. He had his share of troubles on the field—60% completion for 3,010 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions—but the team said it was committed to him in 2002, perhaps not so much now after the Watson meeting.

Watson requested a trade from the Texans in January 2021 following a slew of sexual assault allegations. He missed the entire 2021 season, but, last week, a Harris County (Texas) grand jury did not find enough evidence to charge Watson with a crime following the allegations from massage therapists.

He still faces 22 civil lawsuits, though, and is subject to potential NFL discipline.

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 26-14 at Heinz Field Monday night in what was in all likelihood quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s final home game.

Capping an 18-year career, all with the Steelers, the six-time Pro Bowler threw for a touchdown, an interception and 123 yards, which were all fewer than his Browns (7-9) counterpart Baker Mayfield’s 185 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Diontae Johnson (8 catches for 31 yards) scored Pittsburgh’s (8-7-1) first touchdown in the second quarter, while Najee Harris (188 yards on 28 carries) scored the second in the waning seconds of the game.

Shutout in the first half, the Browns cut it to 13-7 on David Njoku’s touchdown grab late in the third stanza.

A Harrison Bryant one-yard TD reception late in the fourth brought it to 19-14, but Harris’ score cemented the victory for Pittsburgh.

Cleveland Brown’s wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.‘s stat sheet does not reflect his ability and his father may know the reason why. Odell Beckham Sr. posted a YouTube video to Instagram revealing the many times that Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has failed to make a pass to an open OBJ this season.

Beckham Sr. has stood by his son this season as OBJ and the Browns have underperformed on several occasions. However, Beckham Sr. could not stand idle any longer and decided to express his grievances on Instagram. The post’s caption read, “Generally Behind Da Scene, BUT NOT TODAY.”

Watch the video Beckham Sr. shared with his followers:

After starting the season off on a high, the Browns have begun to struggle, mustering only one win in their last four games. It’s true that Beckham and Mayfield have both been battling shoulder injuries, but it’s also true that there has been a lack of connectivity in their passing game. The Browns are now 4-4 on the season as they head to this Sunday’s match-up against the Cincinnati Bengals. OBJ has yet to score a touchdown this season.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield is nursing a torn labrum in his left shoulder but is still hoping to play in the clash with the Denver Broncos on Thursday night.

In an effort to make a tackle after throwing an interception, Mayfield suffered a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder. The 26-year-old added a support harness to his shoulder and did not let this stop him from playing in the proceeding games. However, on Sunday while playing the Arizona Cardinals, Mayfield made matters worse by irritating the injury.

Mayfield has since discussed his thoughts on the injury and his eligibility to play in the upcoming Thursday night game. “I work with my physiotherapist and do everything I possibly can. After that, it’s pain tolerance and wanting to be out there for my guys,” he said. “Obviously if I was in a physical state where I wasn’t able to play to the best of my abilities and I was hurting the team, I wouldn’t do that because I care about winning.”

“Only I know how my body feels,” he added. “If anyone questions whether I’m hindering the team and going out there injured, that’s just not right. It’s my decision. I get to say whether I’m able to play or not, and that’s just how it is.”

Mayfield is set to receive an update from his doctor regarding the condition of his shoulder on Tuesday which will give him and coach Kevin Stefanski a one-day timeframe to make a decision.

Stefanski commented on the injury as well. “With Baker, with all of our players, they have significant input in these decisions because it is their body. I just rely on what they say, I rely on the medical staff when making those determinations,” he said.

If Mayfield does sit this game out, Case Keenum will start.

The Browns and the Broncos are both heading into Thursday night with an identical 3-3 record on the season.

The race for the AFC will be super interesting this year. For the first time in two seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs feel vulnerable, especially after their 31-9 drubbing by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl. Star tight end Travis Kelce acknowledges that teams like the Cleveland Browns are coming for them. “They’re definitely a contender, without a doubt. It’s definitely there,” he said. “Baker [Mayfield] and the gang have upped the ante, made this team an unbelievable team and a team you have to prepare for and take seriously. I think that moving forward without a doubt, I can see a lot more playoff games between us, and I’ll just take it one day at a time and hope for it. I think the Browns and Chiefs are definitely neck and neck.”

The Browns have certainly built a complete roster entering this season. With needs in the secondary, and at linebacker, as well as defensive line, the Browns managed to improve all three units, and will certainly have a better defense than the one that allowed the 21st-most points in the league. At safety and corner, the Browns added John Johnson III and Troy Hill from the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams had the best pass defense in the NFL last year, so to steal two players from them is surely a benefit.

The Browns also drafted highly touted rookie Greg Newsome II and Jeremiah Owusu- Koramoah, two players who seem poised to help cover the combination of Kelce and Tyreek Hill.

This team also gets Odell Beckham Jr. back on offense. The Browns are positioned to do massive things this year. When asked about the team’s Super Bowl aspirations this year, wide receiver Jarvis Landry expressed confidence. “Why not? It’s something that people always say you should not talk about, but nobody trains or nobody does what they do to not be a champion,” he said. “So that’s the standard. So why not talk about it? It’s real. It’s sick to be humble about what everybody is actually chasing.”

Last season, the Cleveland Browns surprised many by finishing with a winning record for the first time since 2007. The franchise even ended their 18-year playoff drought. Not only that, but they also secured their first playoff win by defeating the Steelers in the Wild Card round.The Browns will look to build on last season’s success and continue to rise as a competitive team in a tough AFC North division.

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Cleveland Browns Schedule:

• Week 1: Sun 09/12 at Kansas City Chiefs
• Week 2: Sunday 09/19 vs Houston Texans
• Week 3: Sun 09/26 vs Chicago Bears
• Week 4: Sun 10/03 at Minnesota Vikings
• Week 5: Sun 10/10 vs Los Angeles Chargers
• Week 6: Sun 10/17 vs Arizona Cardinals
• Week 7: Thu 10/21 vs Denver Broncos
• Week 8: Sun 10/31 vs Pittsburgh Steelers
• Week 9: Sun 11/07 at Cincinnati Bengals
• Week 10: Sun 11/14 at New England Patriots
• Week 11: Sun 11/21 vs Detroit Lions
• Week 12: Sun 11/28 at Baltimore Ravens
• Week 13: BYE
• Week 14: Sun 12/12 vs Baltimore Ravens
• Week 15: Sun 12/19 vs Las Vegas Raiders
• Week 16: Sat 12/25 at Green Bay Packers
• Week 17: Mon 01/03 at Pittsburgh Steelers
• Week 18: Sun 01/09 vs Cincinnati Bengals

AFC North: The Browns will be fighting in a three-way battle with two other contending teams within the division. The Steelers and Ravens will give the Browns some trouble if they want to win this season’s division title. The Browns will struggle against the revamped Ravens offense led by Lamar Jackson. In regards to the Steelers, Cleveland split last year’s regular-season series, but Cleveland won when it mattered in the postseason. Pittsburgh continues to be led by an aging quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger, and the Browns defense seemed to finally have his number in the 2020 NFL Playoffs. With Odell Beckham Jr. returning from a season-ending injury, the Browns’ offense could be as explosive as ever this season with Baker Mayfield at the helm, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in the backfield, and Beckham, Jarvis Landry and Rashard Higgins catching passes. Between the team’s strong defense and their revamped offense, the Browns are not to be taken lightly in 2021.

Matchups: Cleveland will open its season with a tough game against Patrick Mahomes and the reigning AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Another tough game for Cleveland will be against the Packers, but that game will depend on whether Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers gets his trade from the team or not. The Ravens will be difficult considering they easily beat the Browns both times last season. Cleveland also has some favorable matchups such as their games against the Lions, Bengals, Broncos and Patriots.

Overall: The Browns will not have much trouble except for their inter-division rivals in the Ravens and Steelers. Their Chiefs and Packers game may be out of reach for the Browns, but the rest of their schedule will be much easier.

Prediction: The Browns will finish 12-5, second in their division. They will qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

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Baker Mayfield will remain with the Cleveland Browns until at least the end of the 2022 season. The team exercised the fifth-year option on the quarterback’s contract, according to an ESPN source. Mayfield is scheduled to make $18.86 million in 2022.

The 2018 No. 1 overall pick led the Browns to their first postseason appearance since 2002 last year. Better yet, he quarterbacked the team to their first playoff victory in 26 years when the Browns crushed the Steelers on Wild Card Weekend. Although the Browns only won 48-37, the final score made the game seem much closer than it actually was. Cleveland actually led 28-0 just minutes into the game and the outcome was never in doubt. Mayfield threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Browns snap a 17-game losing streak in Pittsburgh.

After a record-setting rookie season in which he threw more touchdown passes than any other rookie quarterback (27), Mayfield struggled at time during the 2019 season. Although expectations were high, the Browns finished just 6-10 that year. However, Mayfield thrived in his third professional season for head coach Kevin Stefanski last year. Mayfield finished the 2020 season with 26 touchdowns compared to just eight interceptions. He also ranked 10th in QBR (Quarterback Rating).

“I hope it is significantly better,” Stefanski said this week, when asked about Mayfield improving with another season in his scheme. “He has heard these plays over and over again. We have streamlined concepts, and we have tried to adjust what we do based on his strengths and our players’ strengths. I would hope he is much more comfortable from that perspective. That is what time allows you to do — time together.”

Mayfield is the 30th player to start at the quarterback position for the Browns since the team’s inception in 1999. It should be noted that he is eligible for an extension, which the team could engage him on later this offseason.

ESPN Cleveland has suspended radio host Tony Grossi for using derogatory comments while describing Browns‘ quarterback Baker Mayfield. According to a statement released by the station on Tuesday, Grossi has been suspended indefinitely effective immediately.

“We are aware of Tony Grossi’s statement about Baker Mayfield. The term Tony used is a derogatory slur to describe Little People. Good Karma Brands will not tolerate derogatory language that demeans others or groups of people,” ESPN Cleveland said in a statement. “We are addressing this matter with Tony directly, and while we normally do not comment on personnel matters, we do want to share that we have made the decision to immediately and indefinitely suspend Tony Grossi. In addition, we will pursue sensitivity and inclusion training for everyone on our content teams across our company.”

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Grossi were heard on-air referring to Mayfield as a “f—ing midget.” The 24-year-old’s name popped up in conversation while Grossi was mentioning other franchise quarterbacks drafted in the first round including Deshaun Watson, Carson Wentz and Patrick Mahomes.

Grossi has been critical of Mayfield in the past. In 2017, five months before the Browns drafted him, Grassi tweeted that Mayfield was “put on this planet to sucker the Browns.” In January 2018, Grossi wrote an article that contained a comparison between Johnny Manziel and Mayfield where the radio host said, “To me, Mayfield looks, sounds, acts and plays like the reincarnation of Manziel—notwithstanding Manziel’s substance abuse issues.”

In October 2020, Mayfield was asked by Grossi in a post game press conference if he was happy with a drive that didn’t end with a score. He responded, “That’s the dumbest question you could ask” before leaving the podium.

Grossi apologized for the incident in a statement posted to Twitter on Tuesday that read, “I am truly sorry for my language and choice of words in a remark I made about Baker Mayfield that was captured on our live feed on TheLandOnDemand. I sincerely apologize for using a word that is a derogatory slur. There’s no excuse for using that language in any context. It was said without malice but also without thought. It is well known that Baker and I have had our differences, and in the course of this experience, I’ve had to question my role in the erosion of the relationship. I have always endeavored to report and comment on him and the team fairly, and am shaken by these events. I will strive to be a better person and professional. I apologize to little people, Good Karma Brands, the Cleveland Browns, Baker Mayfield, to our listeners and to anyone who was offended by my remark.”