CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.
After Josh Allen agreed to a six-year, $258 million contract -- which gives him the most guaranteed money in the NFL at $150 million -- with the Buffalo Bills last week, all eyes on the quarterback negotiations front appear to have turned to Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns.
But while many have debated the merits of the Browns potentially signing Mayfield to franchise quarterback-caliber money, according to one ESPN analyst, there isn't much for Cleveland to question.
Appearing on ESPN's "Get Up" on Monday morning, Domonique Foxworth was asked for his opinion on Mayfield's contract status with the Browns. And considering Cleveland's sordid history at the quarterback position, Foxworth doesn't see why the Browns should wait to sign the No. 1 pick of the 2018 NFL Draft to a long-term deal.
"He's their franchise quarterback. Give him about $40 [million] a year, that's what franchise quarterbacks are going for this year and pay him what he deserves," Foxworth said during a discussion with former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum, who has opposed Cleveland signing Mayfield to a long-term extension.
"Don't make the GM's job easy. It's not time for you to earn your money. As a GM, you're getting paid millions of dollars. Pay [Mayfield] and then find some other people undervalued. Draft well. Stop asking people to take less or arguing that other people should get less to make your job easier."
Foxworth went on to add: "You don't have an alternative. What are you going to do? Go back in the draft? The franchise that has those jerseys that are 20-feet long because you have to put all the backup quarterbacks on them is going to send Baker Mayfield to free agency? OK, stall it out as long as you want to.and see what happens.
As for the likelihood of Foxworth's "pay the Mayfield" campaign being a success, it doesn't appear that the Browns and their fourth-year quarterback are close to coming to terms on a deal as the 2021 season approaches. Speaking to reporters following Sunday's "Orange & Brown Scrimmage" at FirstEnergy Stadium, Mayfield reiterated that his focus isn't on his contract status, but rather the upcoming season.
"I am worried about winning right now," Mayfield said. "I do not know the timeline on it. We have not talked about it because I am worried about winning this season.”