There has been plenty of chatter about Baker Mayfield's future this week, but one report suggests he is not going anywhere.
According to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Browns plan to move forward this offseason with plans to retain Baker Mayfield as their quarterback for 2022.
Mayfield, 26, is coming off a disappointing 2021 season that ended earlier this week when the Browns announced he would undergo surgery on a torn labrum in his left shoulder, which is one of several injuries he has been playing through this season.
The 2018 No. 1 overall pick finished the season with 3,010 passing yards for 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, completing 60.5% of his pass attempts in 14 games.
Seven of his 13 interceptions came over the course of the last three games, fueling the speculation that his time in Cleveland may be nearing its end.
The Browns also entered Sunday's Week 18 finale at 7-9 and in last place in the AFC North despite Super Bowl expectations prior to the season.
There had been rumors that both Mayfield and the Browns each wanted to move on, as well as that he and head coach Kevin Stefanski were at odds.
But the quarterback refuted that perception on Twitter earlier this week; he also met with Stefanski on Friday as part of the coaching staff's regular exit meetings and is believed to be on the same page with the head coach, according to Rapoport and Pelissero.
Next year is the final season on Mayfield's rookie contract — his fifth-year option — which will guarantee him $18.858 million.
Should Mayfield indeed return with Cleveland next season it still won't end speculation on his future as the Browns will also need to decide if they want to offer him an extension or franchise tag the quarterback, which will likely be dependent on how he performs in 2022.
Listen to 92.3 The Fan's Daryl Ruiter discuss what bringing Mayfield back would mean for the Browns in the audio above.
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