The Cleveland Browns have made a decision on Baker Mayfield’s participation in their first preseason matchup next week.
Coming as no surprise, the fourth-year starting quarterback will not play against the Jacksonville Jaguars Aug. 14, per Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot.
#Browns Baker Mayfield will NOT play in the first preseason game Saturday in Jacksonville
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 11, 2021
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Mayfield is coming off the best season of his young NFL career in 2020, logging 3,653 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions en route to an 11-5 record and the Browns’ first playoff appearance in over 18 years. With hopes to improve on that solid performance, the Cleveland coaching staff will look to keep their 26-year-old QB as healthy as possible heading into Week 1.
With COVID-19 cancelling last year’s preseason schedule, Mayfield hasn’t participated in preseason action since 2019.
Mayfield is currently still signed to his rookie contract, set to make $10.5 million this coming season. The Browns front office exercised his fifth-year option for 2022, but has yet to reach a longterm extension agreement with their QB. The former No. 1 overall pick’s 2018 draft mates Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen both received massive contract extensions earlier this year.
With Mayfield locked in as QB1 and returning under Kevin Stefanski’s familiar offensive scheme, it would be a surprising if he participated much at all during this year’s preseason schedule.
Backups Case Keenum and Kyle Lauletta should take the majority of preseason reps.
The post Browns Make Preseason Opener Decision On Baker Mayfield appeared first on The Spun.
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