Just when the Cleveland Browns' quarterback situation couldn't get any more intriguing, QB Baker Mayfield has emerged as an unexpected option for next offseason.

92.3 The Fan host Nick Wilson recently said during a conversation with Jonathan Peterlin that if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fail to sign Baker Mayfield to a contract extension and he hits free agency next offseason, the Browns should make a move for him.

“If the Browns end up being a seven-win team and the only thing holding you back is the quarterback position,” Wilson said. “And a year from now Baker Mayfield is a free agent … $60 million or $55 million settles a lot of previous grievances.”

The possibility became more realistic this week after Fox Sports' Greg Auman reported that Mayfield and the Buccaneers have ended extension talks, meaning the veteran quarterback is set to play out the final year of his contract.

If no new deal is reached before next offseason, Mayfield would be positioned to test free agency for the second time in his NFL career.

While Wilson believes a lucrative contract could resolve the issue, Jonathan Peterlin said on 92.3 The Fan podcast that Baker Mayfield won't return to the Browns as long as general manager Andrew Berry remains in charge.

“They can't do it with Andrew Berry in charge. I don't feel that can happen,” said Peterlin. “I don't think Andrew Barry would ever go down that road. I just don't think he would.”

A Browns–Mayfield reunion wouldn't be easy. Their relationship ended on bitter terms after Cleveland replaced him with Deshaun Watson in 2022 while he was still recovering from injury.

The split left Mayfield with lingering resentment toward the Browns organization, and he has since criticized how the franchise handled his departure.

While Peterlin's argument makes sense, Wilson believes Todd Monken's presence could be the key to a Baker Mayfield reunion.

NFL analyst names key to Baker Mayfield return

While Mayfield has previously expressed frustration with the Browns' front office, Wilson believes one change in the team's leadership could help pave the way for a reunion: head coach Todd Monken.

“I think Todd Monken's a real key difference this time because I think Todd Monken and Baker Mayfield would be best buddies. Again, Todd is a football guy. If you play your a** off and have that swagger, I think that's the kind of thing he wants out of his quarterback,” said Nick Wilson on the same 92.3 The Fan podcast.

The analyst believes that Monken might be able to act as a bridge between general manager Andrew Berry and Baker Mayfield, helping bring him back to Cleveland.

"I think Todd might be able to be the guy to convince Andrew: 'Hey, I know what you thought. We need to stabilize this quarterback position. Let's get Baker, have him here for the next five years, and along the way, we'll take that stab at the future,’” said Wilson.

After leaving the Browns, Mayfield has proven his worth as a top quarterback with back-to-back Pro Bowl nods.

With Mayfield now set to enter the final year of his Buccaneers contract without an extension, Wilson believes Cleveland should be ready if the veteran quarterback reaches free agency next offseason.

Do you think Baker Mayfield will be reunited with the Browns? Let us know in the comments.

Read more on the Cleveland Browns Community

Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Rudra Dubey