However, he and the team have struggled to maintain consistency on the pitch, casting doubts as to whether the team will choose to offer him a new long-term contract.
Off the pitch, however, Mayfield also demonstrated his leadership qualities.
Last season, Mayfield displayed Jones’ name on the back of his helmet in solidarity with the inmate.
Mayfield, 26, among other members of the sports world on Wednesday used his platform to ask Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to spare Jones.
“I’ve been trying to get the facts straight and tell the truth for a while, but it’s hard to think about it. I’ve tried and tried. It’s a shame it got so far. We’re at 24. hours. So that’s hard. You know, hopefully God can step in and handle it right and do the things that He has to do. “
A day later, Stitt granted Jones clemency, commuting Jones’ death sentence to life without parole just hours before his execution.
Mayfield reacted to the news on Twitter: “God is BIG !!! Thank you to everyone who prayed and kept praying!”
The quarterback’s support for Jones was applauded.
“Whatever you think of Baker Mayfield, he’s been defending Julius Jones for quite some time,” former NFL star Stephen White tweeted. “And certainly longer than I knew his story and I doubt I’m alone.”
For the long term or a short term solution?
While Mayfield is beloved in Cleveland, the future of the NFL quarterback looks uncertain with the Browns.
His charisma and dedication combined with his playing on the pitch won him the love of a dedicated fan base.
Now in his fourth year with the team, he’s thrown for 13,105 yards and 84 touchdowns since being drafted, helping to transform the historically snake-bitten Ohio team and earning them their top spot. in the playoffs since 2002.
The Browns exercised Mayfield’s fifth-year contract option for the 2022 season – guaranteed to be worth $ 18.9 million – although he has struggled with injuries and precision on the pitch this season. .
He played through a torn labrum, something NFL insider Ian Rapoport signaled he would need surgery at the end of the season.
As a result, questions arise as to whether the team will choose to stay with Mayfield and offer him a long-term contract, as the Buffalo Bills did with Mayfield’s 2018 Draft quarterback Josh. Allen – he signed a six-year contract extension. worth up to $ 258 million with $ 150 million guaranteed in August.
The Cleveland and Mayfield agent did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment on the status of any potential future contracts for the quarterback.
Fox Sports analyst Jay Glazer believes the Browns will consider all of their options at the end of the year, including Mayfield’s position as a starting quarterback.
“When [The Browns] look at him and they see who’s available, which guys they can get in a trade, which guys they can get in the draft and they think Baker is the best option in the long run so they have to go long term with him.
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