Browns pick up fifth-year options on QB Baker Mayfield, CB Denzel Ward

[HOUSE]

 

The No. 1 overall pick in 2018, Mayfield's fifth-year option is worth $18.86 million in 2022. After making one Pro Bowl, Ward will make $13.294 million on the fifth year. As for what comes next, in terms of possible long-term extensions, Browns general manager Andrew Berry avoided that question in his Friday news conference.

 

https://www.nfl.com/news/browns-pick-up-fifth-year-options-on-qb-baker-mayfield-cb-denzel-ward

[DrDawkinstein]

Will be the first QB to start week 1, 3 years in a row, since the Browns returned to the NFL.

[DrDawkinstein]

Next Monday (5/3) is the deadline for triggering the 5th year option.

 

Will be interesting to see if Beane picks up Josh's. I think we all expected them to use the 5th year AND an extension, when working on Josh's new deal. You'd expect to hear about it before the draft starts at least.

[Motorin']

1 hour ago, DrDawkinstein said:

Next Monday (5/3) is the deadline for triggering the 5th year option.

 

Will be interesting to see if Beane picks up Josh's. I think we all expected them to use the 5th year AND an extension, when working on Josh's new deal. You'd expect to hear about it before the draft starts at least.

 

If there's any internal question about Edmund's 5th year, the'll probably wait until Monday after the draft to extend Josh to not make things awkward with Tre Maine. If they draft a MLB replacement, then they only pickup Josh's/ If they don't, then they do both. 

[Slippery Rubber Mats]

2x Pro Bowler in 3 years, I'm guessing they pick up Edmunds 5th year without question. 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

8 minutes ago, Tuel Time said:

2x Pro Bowler in 3 years, I'm guessing they pick up Edmunds 5th year without question. 

 

Beane made it sound like an open question in his pre-draft presser

 

10 minutes ago, Motorin' said:

If there's any internal question about Edmund's 5th year, the'll probably wait until Monday after the draft to extend Josh to not make things awkward with Tre Maine. If they draft a MLB replacement, then they only pickup Josh's/ If they don't, then they do both. 

 

This could just be me, but if you've got a 3 year starter who has been to 2 pro-bowls and you're waiting to see who you draft at #30 before you decide to extend him, you got a problem.

[Warcodered]

1 hour ago, DrDawkinstein said:

Next Monday (5/3) is the deadline for triggering the 5th year option.

 

Will be interesting to see if Beane picks up Josh's. I think we all expected them to use the 5th year AND an extension, when working on Josh's new deal. You'd expect to hear about it before the draft starts at least.

Pretty sure Beane has been indicating that he wants to deal with the draft before figuring out extending Josh.

[Motorin']

13 minutes ago, Tuel Time said:

2x Pro Bowler in 3 years, I'm guessing they pick up Edmunds 5th year without question. 

 

I'm surprised they haven't already. And I'm not saying that they are looking to replace him. But it is always a possibility that they see a prospect in the draft who might be an upgrade or a wash, which would give them significant cap space to bring in one big time free agent either this year or next. 

10 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Beane made it sound like an open question in his pre-draft presser

 

 

This could just be me, but if you've got a 3 year starter who has been to 2 pro-bowls and you're waiting to see who you draft at #30 before you decide to extend him, you got a problem.

 

The problem, if there is one, is the unexpected shrinking cap. 

[Buffalo03]

4 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

Will be the first QB to start week 1, 3 years in a row, since the Browns returned to the NFL.

I actually had to look this up because I know Tim Couch started their opening games in 2000 and 2001 and I was certain that Couch started their first game back in the NFL in 1999 but it wasnt, It was Ty Detmer. I got curious and started looking at all their opening day starters going back to 1999 and there are 17 QBs that started an opening day game for them going back to 1999. I completely forgot that RGIII played for them back in 2016. That's insane

[4merper4mer]

3 hours ago, Motorin' said:

 

If there's any internal question about Edmund's 5th year, the'll probably wait until Monday after the draft to extend Josh to not make things awkward with Tre Maine. If they draft a MLB replacement, then they only pickup Josh's/ If they don't, then they do both. 

Mayfield thread to Edmunds bash.  Voila.

[JaCrispy]

3 hours ago, Tuel Time said:

2x Pro Bowler in 3 years, I'm guessing they pick up Edmunds 5th year without question. 

Not so sure...if it were the expected cap, probably...But I don’t know that it’s a given for Tremaine...if we do, it will be difficult to sign FA’s next year...so, we shall see...

Edited April 24, 2021 by JaCrispy

[RiotAct]

1 hour ago, Buffalo03 said:

I actually had to look this up because I know Tim Couch started their opening games in 2000 and 2001 and I was certain that Couch started their first game back in the NFL in 1999 but it wasnt, It was Ty Detmer. I got curious and started looking at all their opening day starters going back to 1999 and there are 17 QBs that started an opening day game for them going back to 1999. I completely forgot that RGIII played for them back in 2016. That's insane

I think he was their QB in that late-season game at The Ralph in 2016 where it was like 9 degrees out.

[Motorin']

1 hour ago, 4merper4mer said:

Mayfield thread to Edmunds bash.  Voila.

 

It's bashing Edmunds to say the Bills could find someone as good in the draft?

Edited April 24, 2021 by Motorin'

[DCofNC]

5 hours ago, Tuel Time said:

2x Pro Bowler in 3 years, I'm guessing they pick up Edmunds 5th year without question. 

(Madden voice) Now here’s a guy who doesn’t understand NFL contracts.

[DrPJax]

7 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

Next Monday (5/3) is the deadline for triggering the 5th year option.

 

Will be interesting to see if Beane picks up Josh's. I think we all expected them to use the 5th year AND an extension, when working on Josh's new deal. You'd expect to hear about it before the draft starts at least.

I believe Beane just said they will address the Allen situation AFTER the draft, so not sure how that fits in with 5 th year option. Given the dates involved.  

[billsherd]

43 minutes ago, DCofNC said:

(Madden voice) Now here’s a guy who doesn’t understand NFL contracts.

This guy right here..... knows NFL contracts.

[Buffalo03]

13 hours ago, RiotAct said:

I think he was their QB in that late-season game at The Ralph in 2016 where it was like 9 degrees out.

Yeah, you're right. That game completely slipped my mind lol

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

19 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

Will be the first QB to start week 1, 3 years in a row, since the Browns returned to the NFL.

 

Knock on wood.

[DrDawkinstein]

18 hours ago, Tuel Time said:

2x Pro Bowler in 3 years, I'm guessing they pick up Edmunds 5th year without question. 

 

Funny enough, if both of those Pro Bowls count, then that is the exact reason to NOT pick up the 5th year option right now.

 

Posted in another thread is a tweet with the guidelines that if a player makes 1 Pro Bowl the 5th year option equals the Transition Tag amount. If they made 2 Pro Bowls, the 5th year option equals the Franchise Tag amount.

 

If that is the case, and both Pro Bowls count, then we save nothing by optioning him now. We can wait until after this season and Franchise tag him for the same amount. But at a Franchise cost of $14.7M, I'm not sure he'll be worth it either way.

 

Even if it is the Transition tag amount, which is around $12M, not sure it's worth it.

 

Maybe if he had his original option amount of $9M. Maybe.

 

With the Pro Bowls and increased value, I think they ride it out and see what happens.

12 hours ago, DrPJax said:

I believe Beane just said they will address the Allen situation AFTER the draft, so not sure how that fits in with 5 th year option. Given the dates involved.  

 

Well, technically Monday is after the draft. If Beane can pull the trigger by 4pm!

 

That doesnt leave him a lot of room to work, but I assume Beane knows exactly what he wants to do and when.

 

Should be interesting.

[Fan in Chicago]

18 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

This could just be me, but if you've got a 3 year starter who has been to 2 pro-bowls and you're waiting to see who you draft at #30 before you decide to extend him, you got a problem.

 

I think it is a problem. My guess is Beane wont pick up the option and see where the proverbial chips. Lots to consider such as who is drafted, how Edmunds performs in his prove it/no excuses season, what the FA crop for next year looks like etc. 

15 hours ago, 4merper4mer said:

Mayfield thread to Edmunds bash.  Voila.

I am guilty as well. 

As to the OP, Browns made the right choice w.r.t. Mayfield. 

[Matt_In_NH]

22 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

Next Monday (5/3) is the deadline for triggering the 5th year option.

 

Will be interesting to see if Beane picks up Josh's. I think we all expected them to use the 5th year AND an extension, when working on Josh's new deal. You'd expect to hear about it before the draft starts at least.

 

This is the most uninteresting decision ever.

[NoSaint]

22 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

Next Monday (5/3) is the deadline for triggering the 5th year option.

 

Will be interesting to see if Beane picks up Josh's. I think we all expected them to use the 5th year AND an extension, when working on Josh's new deal. You'd expect to hear about it before the draft starts at least.

they will obviously pick up the 5th no matter what (short of signing him this week)

Edited April 24, 2021 by NoSaint

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

21 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Beane made it sound like an open question in his pre-draft presser

 

 

This could just be me, but if you've got a 3 year starter who has been to 2 pro-bowls and you're waiting to see who you draft at #30 before you decide to extend him, you got a problem.

 

Pro-bowl means nothing. Let me know when he's an All Pro.

[DrDawkinstein]

29 minutes ago, mattynh said:

 

This is the most uninteresting decision ever.

 

You would think. But waiting until after the draft is going to make it interesting.

 

It's pretty interesting because if they DONT, it means we are going to let his big 2nd contract kick in next year. Accelerating the spending instead of spreading it out.

 

26 minutes ago, NoSaint said:

they will obviously pick up the 5th no matter what (short of signing him this week)

 

Then do it already?

[TBBills]

11 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

Then do it already?

What's the rush? If they can get a deal done before hand, no need to rush.

[Dr.Sack]

Baker is a game manager so I see him making game manager $.

[DrDawkinstein]

23 minutes ago, TBBills said:

What's the rush? If they can get a deal done before hand, no need to rush.

 

They're down to 8 days to do so, and a Draft to focus on during this week.

 

I'm not sweating it or rushing it, but interested in watching them cut it close.

[fergie's ire]

46 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

You would think. But waiting until after the draft is going to make it interesting.

 

It's pretty interesting because if they DONT, it means we are going to let his big 2nd contract kick in next year. Accelerating the spending instead of spreading it out.

 

 

Then do it already?

I think that would make it tempting to pick up the option.  I admittedly do not understand the nuances of NFL contracts, but I remember discussion that the big money on Mahomes contract would not kick in until the extension started (so after his rookie deal runs out).  If that is the case, and the Bills pick up Josh's 5th year option, that mean the new big money 2nd contract would kick in during the 2023 season...the season that there is a big jump in the cap due to the new TV contract.  That would seem to make sense.

[DrDawkinstein]

14 minutes ago, fergie's ire said:

I think that would make it tempting to pick up the option.  I admittedly do not understand the nuances of NFL contracts, but I remember discussion that the big money on Mahomes contract would not kick in until the extension started (so after his rookie deal runs out).  If that is the case, and the Bills pick up Josh's 5th year option, that mean the new big money 2nd contract would kick in during the 2023 season...the season that there is a big jump in the cap due to the new TV contract.  That would seem to make sense.

 

Yet, that's exactly my point of being interested. If they pick it up and extend, it allows us to spread the signing bonus over more years. If no option, then it's higher hits right away.

[Fan in Chicago]

1 hour ago, Dr.Sack said:

Baker is a game manager so I see him making game manager $.

What is your guess at a price tag for a "game manager" versus a top tier QB? 

I dont entirely agree with your presumption of him being a game manager alone. But even if he was labelled as such, his value to the team exceeds any such categorization. If he is the undisputed starter (which of course he is), can win games consistently (which he has), has a decent head on his shoulders (maybe, but not too bad) and can be the face of his franchise for years (IMO he can), then he will command top 5 or worst case, top 10 money. 

Edited April 24, 2021 by Fan in Chicago

[TBBills]

49 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

They're down to 8 days to do so, and a Draft to focus on during this week.

 

I'm not sweating it or rushing it, but interested in watching them cut it close.

Cut it close? Cutting it close would be 5 minutes from deadline.

[Don Otreply]

18 hours ago, Motorin' said:

 

It's bashing Edmunds to say the Bills could find someone as good in the draft?

In this particular case? 
Answer = Yes

[NoSaint]

1 hour ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

You would think. But waiting until after the draft is going to make it interesting.

 

It's pretty interesting because if they DONT, it means we are going to let his big 2nd contract kick in next year. Accelerating the spending instead of spreading it out.

 

 

Then do it already?

Is there some reason doing it sooner is better?

31 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

Yet, that's exactly my point of being interested. If they pick it up and extend, it allows us to spread the signing bonus over more years. If no option, then it's higher hits right away.

if they pick it up they can tear up the whole thing the next day and sign a new deal spread however they please though. 
 

there’s no benefit to not picking it up. 

[TBBills]

I think the reason is to see how many people complain about not doing it sooner.

 

 

This feels like those "Why are all our guys not signed yet!?!" After the draft threads now

 

Edited April 24, 2021 by TBBills

[Matt_In_NH]

5 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

You would think. But waiting until after the draft is going to make it interesting.

 

It's pretty interesting because if they DONT, it means we are going to let his big 2nd contract kick in next year. Accelerating the spending instead of spreading it out.

Fifth year option or contract....no way they do neither.  

[HOUSE]

What a waste of money

 

 

 

[Doc Brown]

10 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

Funny enough, if both of those Pro Bowls count, then that is the exact reason to NOT pick up the 5th year option right now.

 

Posted in another thread is a tweet with the guidelines that if a player makes 1 Pro Bowl the 5th year option equals the Transition Tag amount. If they made 2 Pro Bowls, the 5th year option equals the Franchise Tag amount.

Only one of the pro bowls count because he was only selected on the original ballot once.  I still think Belichick somehow rigged the pro bowl selection process this past year to get him in and make the Bills decision three million dollars more difficult.

[ALF]

Allen would be $23M ,  Edmunds $12.7M ,  would try to extend Edmunds for less if not pick up his 5th year option. The cap will go up a lot after this season.

 

https://overthecap.com/fifth-year-option-projections/