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3 players Browns should extend with Baker Mayfield’s money

By Nicholas McGee

Nov 22, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) reacts after a pass play to Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) reacts after a pass play to Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 17, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio (75) looks to block as quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) takes the snap against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half in an AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio (75) looks to block as quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) takes the snap against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half in an AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Joel Bitonio

Teller’s emergence added to an area of the Browns’ roster that was already a significant strength, the interior of the offensive line, and left guard Bitonio has played a substantial role in fortifying that area of the team.

Like Mayfield, Bitonio is scheduled to be a free agent in 2023, by which point he will be 32, yet there have been absolutely no signs to suggest he will not still be one of the premier guards in pro football at that point in his career.

A rock in pass protection who is also extremely impactful in aiding the ground game, Bitonio’s all-round skill set has seen him named to the Pro Bowl and selected as a second-team All-Pro in each of the last three seasons.

Barring an unexpected and dramatic drop-off, Bitonio is a player the Browns will want to keep around into his late 30s and it would behoove them to get ahead of the game by extending him now rather than letting him jack up the price with a strong contract year in 2022.

Next. Darius Leonard just reset the market for all defensive playmakers. dark

Bitonio is established as arguably the top guard in the NFL. Mayfield cannot claim to have anything close to the same level of standing among the quarterbacks. Though the Browns will need to resolve the Mayfield situation in the not too distant future, it makes more sense for Bitonio to be paid first.

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