Carolina Panthers give Baker Mayfield a three-year deal after the season
After securing the starting job and if he leads the Carolina Panthers back to the playoffs, our latest bold prediction sees Scott Fitterer give Baker Mayfield a three-year contract with a team option in the final year.
Playing on his fifth-year option, Mayfield could b set to cash in after a postseason appearance and a rising salary cap. Ensuring his play is not a one-season wonder, the general manager would be wise to adopt a cautious approach to the length of a new contract in this scenario.
This will allow the Panthers to cut him after two more years if things turn sour. But it also provides flexibility to pick him up on a team-friendly dollar figure while working out a long-term extension as Mayfield will only be entering his 30s.
Mayfield can tutor Matt Corral, who will blossom into a reliable backup on a team-friendly rookie contract allowing for quarterback insurance. Although if the Heisman Trophy winner does sign a new deal, it decreases his chances of making waves as a starter as a result.
Somewhere in the region of a three-year, $60 million deal might be enough to get Mayfield committed to the Panthers long-term. However, there is a lot of football to be played between now and then, so what comes next is ultimately done to the signal-caller.