Jason Licht On Baker Mayfield
February 24th, 2026
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht was hit with the money question about his franchise quarterback today at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Joe asked Licht if the Bucs plan to make extending Baker Mayfield’s contract a priority for this offseason — whether that’s one year, two years or more. Mayfield’s current three-year contract expires after the 2026 season.
Licht wanted to profess his love of Mayfield but wouldn’t slap a timetable on talks.
“So Baker, our thoughts on Baker haven’t changed,” Licht said. “Baker has been with us three years, you see the competitor he is. Obviously, he’s got a lot of arm talent, but he’s a leader, all these things. Our plans with Baker haven’t changed. At some point, I don’t have a timetable, I’m sure we’ll be having those discussions.”
Licht was pressed to say if those discussions will happen this year and he wasn’t going there. “At some point, we’ll be having those discusssions,” Licht repeated.
Yes, one could certainly say the Bucs have greater concerns that the quarterback position. However, QB is the most important position and not many teams want their beloved QB entering a contract year, after which literally anything could happen.
February 24th, 2026 at 4:18 pm
RIP to Ronyell Whitaker. He started out as a feisty defensive back and had a good game against the Saints on the road in 2003. Passes away at 46. Way too young.
February 24th, 2026 at 4:25 pm
At some point, we’ll be having those discusssions
TRANSLATION: make the NFC Championship game or kick rocks!!!!
yeah he has arm talent, yeah he throws TD’s, yeah he’s a “leader” but do all those things produce WINS…..
GO BUCS!!!!
February 24th, 2026 at 4:27 pm
We’ll see.
If they aren’t pursuing Evans, it could signal a lack of enthusiasm to resign Baker. I’m guessing this is another prove it year for Baker. If he gets hurt, the Bucs will draft a QB next year.
You have to question if Baker can stay healthy for another 3 years.
February 24th, 2026 at 4:29 pm
Sure, he single handedly cost us the playoffs — but lets give him a huge extension despite his history of choking in the biggest moments. Oh wait, my bad, I mean ‘being injured’ in the biggest moments.
February 24th, 2026 at 4:41 pm
I think Bakers cap hit is somewhere in the 52 million dollar range.
If the FO is serious about free agents – IMO Baker gets an extension to free up cap space. In the alternative, Tristan and Chris combine for another 70 million give or take this year – maybe their deals get reworked.
February 24th, 2026 at 4:46 pm
I think they want to see how this season turns out. If Baker stays healthy and does well, and if we win enough, he’ll get a deal.
If we end up tanking, we’ll be drafting a QB next year.
For now, all I care about is dumping Teddy and replacing him. There are plenty of cheap options out there.
February 24th, 2026 at 4:47 pm
Lessismore, you may be right.
February 24th, 2026 at 4:51 pm
I just looked. His cap hit is $52,975,000 this year. They may have no choice after all. Extending him a year or two in order to lower his number might be worth it. If they eat the contract, it will easy future years a LOT.
Wow. Tough call. Take the gamble to re-sign, or pay a huge salary for a year, freeing yourself to draft a QB next year.
February 24th, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Testing
February 24th, 2026 at 4:53 pm
Baker better be ready to score fifty offensive points a game or Todd’s hapless defense will lose the next seventeen games.
February 24th, 2026 at 4:53 pm
So much talk about Baker and Evans.
We didn’t lose because of Mayfield, although a few fools might argue that.
We didn’t win because of Evans. Again, some may argue.
Our season was lost because we couldn’t rush the QB
We only have one NFL caliber defensive lineman. #50
When we drafted Hall, I said that day, that he was a tweener. Check.
When we drafted Kancey, I said, right here, that he was too small to ever play DL in the NFL. Check
How many years will we pay him to sit on the IR, before some of you agree with me.
We have wasted huge amounts of resources on horrible DL and edge rushers. We have signed guys that didn’t care about football, and hadn’t for years- if ever.
Our Linebackers and secondary look horrible. They aren’t that bad.
ANY QB IN THE NFL CAN SCORCH A DEFENSE, IF THEY ARENT PRESSURED.
The greatest Cornerbacks in league are only expected to cover their guy 3 seconds.
Our offense isn’t our problem. Our pathetic excuse for a pass rush is. Once again.
Joe made these same arguments, year after year, until they acquired JPP.
He can’t save us now. But someone must
Baker can win a Super Bowl with our offense.
None could win a SuperBowl with our defense
February 24th, 2026 at 4:54 pm
With Todd’s hapless defense Baker better be ready to score fifty offensive points a game or the Bucs will lose the next seventeen games.
February 24th, 2026 at 5:20 pm
“He single-handedly cost us the playoffs”
Nobody can be this braindead.
February 24th, 2026 at 5:21 pm
BucBoi, I understand your frustration with Mayfield, and a lot of it is deserved. The entire team had issues, but none more than the not so special teams. How did the special teams ruin the Bucs season?
Kick coverage team giving the opposition the ball at the 50-yard line. Think about it! If the D stops them, they punt the ball to the 5-yard line. Offense needs to drive 95 yards. Or the D gives up a score and we’re immediately down 7-0. Things got so bad we were ok with giving the other team the ball at the 35!
Then throw in the blocked punts & field goals. I’m surprised more blame isn’t put on Bowles for keeping the Coach who already had a terrible record. Should have been fired week three!
February 24th, 2026 at 5:24 pm
Draft Drew Allar penn state 6 or 7 round. Lots of talent bad coaching.
February 24th, 2026 at 5:26 pm
Capt. Tim, Great post and good to see an old-time poster still around. It has to be 15 years or so….time flies!
Kit, lol I completely agree!!