#HeyTony: When will the Browns act on a new contract for Baker Mayfield?

Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.

Hey Tony: How complicated is a Baker Mayfield contract extension given his lack of consistency throughout his career? I understand the organization has been inconsistent as well, so how much will this play into the decision to give Baker a Max contract?

-- Mike, Evansville, IN

Hey Mike: I felt all year that the Browns wanted to see Mayfield in the Stefanski system for two seasons before making a huge investment in him. That would entail picking up his fifth-year option (for 2022) in May at a guaranteed salary between $18 million and $25 million. The exact figure depends on the 2021 NFL team salary cap figures, which will be known in March. So then the Browns can calculate a long-term deal based on two years in Stefanski’s system (2020-21). If they opt not to, they would have Mayfield under contract for 2022 under the fifth-year option, which would buy them another year to decide their next move at the position. If the Browns have two playoff appearances under Mayfield in 2020 and 2021, I would expect a new contract.

Hey Tony: Is it premature to entertain any scenarios in which the Browns could win the division?

-- Herb, Newton Falls, OH

Hey Herb: Pittsburgh’s loss to Washington makes it possible, but very unlikely. Here’s why: The Steelers (11-1) are two games ahead with four to play. Let’s just say the Browns run the table to go 13-3. Doing that, which would include wins over Baltimore and Pittsburgh, would put their division record at 4-2. If the Steelers win two of their last four games – with one of them coming against the Bengals – they would be 5-1 in the division. That’s the tie-breaker that would earn them the division title and home playoff game. Now, if the Steelers go 1-3 over their last four, the tie-breaker wouldn’t matter. This is why the division games are so important.

Hey Tony: Could the Browns go deep into the postseason if the play of Baker Mayfield and others and the coaching of Kevin Stefanski continues to show consistency and improvement?

-- Leslie, Manhattan, KS

Hey Leslie: In a word, absolutely. The keys to getting on a post-season run are running the football and winning the turnover battle each game. And when needed, make the pass plays. Right now, the Browns are good at all three.

Hey Tony: Will the Browns be able to afford extensions for both Baker and Nick Chubb this offseason?

-- Josh, Galena, OH

Hey Josh: I believe Chubb should be the higher priority because he does not have a fifth-year option. They would be able to afford a new Chubb deal because Mayfield and Denzel Ward would still be under contract in the fourth year of their rookie deals.

Hey Tony: What are the Browns going to do this offseason with Odell Beckham Jr? This offense has been clicking without him.

-- Justin, North Royalton, OH

Hey Justin: Because of his season-ending knee injury, Beckham is guaranteed $12.79 million of his $14.5 million salary on the third day of the league year in March. I believe it thus guarantees Beckham will be with the Browns in 2021. He is under contract two more years after that, with no guarantees.

Hey Tony: Was Josh Allen the better pick at quarterback in 2018 compared to Baker? Josh looked great last night against the 49ers.

-- Sherry, Lakewood, OH

Hey Sherry: The career paths of both quarterbacks are trending up. Allen looks to have conquered his accuracy issues and will be making his second post-season appearance this year. So, he’s ahead of Mayfield. It should be noted, however, that in their lone head-to-head battle in 2019, Mayfield’s Browns beat Allen’s Bills.

Hey Tony: 1. Was Andrew Berry involved in the debacle with the long-term contract for bench-warmer Carson Wentz and do you worry about him making the same mistake with another streaky QB? 2. Is there anything the team can do to effectively protest the persistent holding of Myles Garrett? We all know the coaches don't benefit from calling out refs to press, but what else could be done to get Myles treated fairly?

-- Martin, Kansas City, MO

Hey Martin: 1. I don’t believe Berry had anything to do with the Eagles’ long-term commitment to Wentz. 2. I’m sure the Browns sent notice to the league of the missed holding calls on Garrett. They may have received a response like, “Yep, we missed those.” That’s about it.

Hey Tony: Would the Browns consider using David Njoku as a wide receiver?

-- Dave, Fairlawn, OH

Hey Dave: I don’t see why.

Hey Tony: What’s up with Greedy?

-- Reece, Canton, OH

Hey Reece: Every time Stefanski is asked for an update on Greedy Williams, the response is, “There is no update. He’s working hard to get back.” Williams is on injured reserve with a shoulder injury that occurred on the first day of tackling drills in training camp. The last detail Stefanski provided was that the injury had become an issue with a nerve. I would not expect to see Williams on the field in 2020.

Hey Tony: With the hall of fame talk with Clay Matthews, why hasn't Bernie Kosar never been in the conversation?

-- Donny, Holmesville, OH

Hey Donny: Kosar’s career was forever changed by an elbow injury suffered on a hit by Kansas City safety Lloyd Burruss in the 1988 season opener. It definitely shortened Kosar’s career and also made him make adjustments to his game. Had that injury not occurred, I believe Kosar was on a trajectory for a Hall of Fame-type career. As it was, his numbers and achievements were limited by the injury. Kosar still is one of the dominant figures in Browns history.