The Facts: A handful of teams have their franchise quarterback and know it. Some, like the Browns, have seen enough to think they do and plan to build around the quarterback they have. Barring injury, Mayfield will spend a fourth season under center for the Browns. "The quarterback position is in my mind the most important position in professional sports," GM Andrew Berry said Wednesday. "And until you have a baseline of winning-level quarterback play, it's really difficult to win and make progress in the NFL, and oftentimes if that position isn't productive or isn't solidified, it can feel a lot like operating in neutral. That's something that's certainly not lost on us, and it's definitely not lost on us as an organization."
Diehards Line:That said, PFT notes the Browns do have a decision -- or decisions -- to make regarding Mayfield. They have until May 3 to decide whether to pick up Mayfield's fifth-round option. It would seem a good bet the Browns exercise it, but Berry wasn't saying one way or the other. The biggest decision the Browns face is whether to give Mayfield an extension. The Eagles did with Carson Wentz and the Rams did with Jared Goff after three season, and neither quarterback remains on the roster of the team that drafted him. The Bucs didn't with Jameis Winston and the Titans didn't with Marcus Mariota, and neither player remains with the team that drafted him. The Texans did with Deshaun Watson last Sept. 5, and Watson now seeks a trade from Houston. The Chiefs' commitment to Patrick Mahomes has worked out well. ... Mayfield, 25, can make the debate moot by continuing to improve. He went 11-5 as the team's starter last season and won a playoff game, while throwing for 3,563 yards with 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He will not have to learn a new playbook or adjust to a new play caller this season, which should help his development.