The Cleveland Browns plan to return next season with Baker Mayfield as quarterback, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

After a season full of injuries and a week filled with drama, the news of Rapoport arrived just before the kickoff of the final week of the regular season, putting an end to many of the rumors that had surfaced during the week. on the Browns QB. Here’s what the veteran insider had to say:

Mayfield and Browns coach Kevin Stefanski spoke in regular exit meetings on Friday, and sources say the two are on the same page. The No.1 pick in 2018, Mayfield is entering the final year of his rookie contract – a fully secured, $ 18.858 million fifth-year option – and is expected to play in Cleveland.

He also noted that the difference between Mayfield – who has a very strong personality – and Stefanski “is not too great to be overcome”.

Baker Mayfield has yet to prove himself

Does that mean Mayfield is the quarterback of the future for the Browns? Not necessarily, but Mayfield will have the chance to prove himself in good health.

It was difficult to assess Mayfield after his first three seasons in the league with the organizational chaos surrounding him in Cleveland and his fourth season hasn’t been easier. Mayfield was injured as he attempted to make a tackle in an interception in Week 2, tearing the labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. It only got worse, resulting in a fracture after taking a hit against the Cardinals.

Mayfield was wearing a brace on his shoulder, which he said wasn’t a problem, despite his precision falling off a cliff. He finished the season with 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, including seven in the last three games.

It followed a strong 2020, where Mayfield had 26 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. He showed a major improvement on the home stretch, helping the Browns to their first playoff victory in more than a quarter of a century.

The problem for the Browns is that signing up to Mayfield means a lot of money. But on the other end of that spectrum, franchise quarterbacks don’t grow on trees and the Browns should use all the time they have to make the most informed decision.

Mayfield hinted at internal issues during the season

It wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies and the Browns stumbled 7-9. Some of the dramas surrounding Odell Beckham Jr.’s release had an effect on the locker room and tensions rose as the offensive stammered and losses mounted.

Mayfield hinted this year was different, with some “internal” issues.

“It’s about trying to find a balance between listening to those opinions around you that really matter, friends, family, teammates, and that’s been the trickiest part of this year, has been a lot internal It is not just the external noise. Mayfield told Kurt Warner. “I have to be myself and try to do my job 100%. Guys who really know me get this. We have to take care of the business in the building, and I have to be myself for these guys. “

Mayfield also appeared to shoot the coaching staff following the Browns’ loss to the Steelers in Week 17.

“There were a lot of ups and downs. Do I think I could play better? Absolutely, “he said.” Do I believe there are positions that we, as an offensive, could have been placed in that would have been better? Absolutely. There are so many positions. reviews throughout the year, otherwise we wouldn’t be sitting here at 7-9.

But the teams seem to have settled their issues and Mayfield will have one more season to prove his worth.