Browns GM praises Mayfield, won't discuss plans for QB

Baker May field checked every box for the Browns this season: he matured as a player, took them back to the playoffs, solidified himself as a leader.

Cleveland's long search for a franchise quarterback appears to be over.

“We're very, very pleased with him,” general manager Andrew Berry said Wednesday.

However, while praising Mayfield's improvement and growth in his third season, Berry wouldn't publicly comment on the team's future plans with t he 25- year- old. The Browns can pick up Mayfield's fifth-year option this offseason and possibly sign him to a longterm extension.

“I don't think that this is really the appropriate forum to really talk about those decisions,” Berry said during a Zoom call wrapping up the Browns' season, which ended Sunday with a 22-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the division al round .“That' s something that's a little more personal to me, the player and the agent.

“What I can tell you is really I'd echo the comments I had last week with Baker. He did an excellent job this year, right? He led us to the first playoff appearance in eons. He got 12 wins, played winning football all year, developed a really strong relationship with (coach) Kevin (Stefanski) and the offensive staff and really grew before our eyes on a week-to-week basis both on and off the field.

“Look, we wouldn't be where we were at the end of the season without his performance. He had a really strong season.”

The No .1 overall draft pick in 2018, Mayfield made better decisions on the field this season and showed more maturity off it. After an inconsistent start, Mayfield threw 20 touch down passes and three interceptions in his last 12 games.

The Browns have until May to pick up Mayfield's fifth-year option, which is expected to be around $20 million and will be guaranteed under the collective bargaining agreement reached last year.