Chris Simms Talks Baker Mayfield, Reaction Inside Glazer Game Suite
April 7th, 2026
The “Pay Baker” chants go beyond Gerald McCoy’s house.
Former Bucs QB Chris Simms, the NBC Sports Xs and Os guru, also is all about extending Mayfield’s contract. Mayfield’s three-year Bucs deal expires after the 2026 season.
Simms made quite a case for Mayfield this morning on PFT Live.
“I kind of look and go, ‘Man, there’s not too many of them out there. And you’ve got one in Tampa Bay. You got one,” Simms said of Mayfield being a tough and talented quarterback. “You got a guy that’s a leader, he can make big plays, he’s got a great arm. And there’s just very few [quarterbacks] that you can say, ‘Hey, we got it.’
Simms also talked about Mayfield’s toughness, injuries and the entire Bucs team’s rash of injuries last season.
“I would think they’re going to find the sweet spot [for a contract extension] here,” Simms said. “It’s just about what is that number — what makes sense for where Baker Mayfield is in his career.
“He’s a damn good player. He gives your team an edge. He gives your team an, ‘oooh, the Bucs are on. It’s Baker? Let me watch them.’ Because Baker’s going to go for it. He doesn’t play the politics of the sport. He goes for it. He is trying to win. He’s trying to throw lasers. And he’s one of the more explosive quarterbacks in football in the pocket because of his frame of mind and his big right arm.
“You know me. I love the Bucs and I’m hoping the Glazers and [Bucs GM] Jason Licht reward him.”
For those who don’t think Simms has a good feel for the Bucs. In addition to chatting with Joe at the Phoenix airport last Tuesday (Simms was dealing with a delayed flight and Joe was at the airport early to battle security lines.) Simms was a gameday guest in the Team Glazer suite during the Bucs’ epic meltdown against the Falcons on Thursday Night Football in December.
And Simms shared with PFT listeners a rare glimpse into the world of Team Glazer from that night.
“Listen, you know I was there, I was in the owners box,” Simms said. “All I can tell you is that the Glazer family was intent on, ‘Wait, let’s go watch the big screen TV in our box here and let’s watch the postgame press conferences.’ And I didn’t sit there and watch with them because I was like, ‘That seems like it’s a family business meeting over there.’ I’m going to say goodbye and blah, blah, blah. But they were, yeah, obviously extremely tuned in at the time and worried about kind of where the organization was going at that point in the season and why the play wasn’t as good.”
Imagine that. Team Glazer — known for greeting players and coaches in the locker room after a win — passed on leaving their seats after a tough loss to gather, wait and watch how Todd Bowles and Baker Mayfield would react to a choke job when they could have watched it on YouTube later.
And that’s when Bowles stepped out of character and unleashed his infamous, profanity-laced tirade.
Then Team Glazer watched the Bucs, on 10 days rest following the Atlanta loss, dominate time of possession at Carolina but lose while their offense imploded in the fourth quarter. And the the Bucs limped through a loss at tanking Miami a week later.
Man, these Glazers are patient folks.
April 7th, 2026 at 1:21 pm
We are lucky to have “Born Again Baker” as our Franchise QB. Resign him and get the biggest concern for any Franchise taken care of for the foreseeable future. Now about that Putrid Pass Defense…
April 7th, 2026 at 1:32 pm
We’d be lucky if he signed. I wouldn’t sign. The trajectory of this organization and hanging onto a failing head coach and players jumping ship…why would he sign? Baker wants to win. Hes not going to stay here unless Todd goes next season
April 7th, 2026 at 1:44 pm
Baker is good and earned the new contract. It could be a lot worse like Mike Glennon type worse so be careful what you wish for.
April 7th, 2026 at 1:52 pm
We can franchise him too
April 7th, 2026 at 1:57 pm
Baker Mayfield will get a contract extension, he deserves one
The problem last season was Josh Grizzard, and his vertical offense
When he was first promoted, his first words ( We need to get the ball upfield more)
The problem with that mentality, Baker is an inaccurate vertical passer
That was his problem in Cleveland, and OBJ father pointed it out in a video
He made a video of Baker misfires to OBJ, or completely not seeing him open
Baker has the same identical problem with Emeka Egbuka
Baker was near perfect in Liam Coen ( Dink and Dunk) offense
Where he throws short, and the receiver runs for yards after the catch
His strength is short passes while rolling out
His weakness is vertical passing while in the pocket
April 7th, 2026 at 2:00 pm
Mayfield is fun to watch, can be exciting, has talent… do you trust him to win a championship?
He’s similar to Dak Prescott- talented but can he overcome other team weaknesses that may crop up because his salary cap hit is alot.
I prefer Bucs wait and see how this season plays out – if he bolts for Rams, so what? Doesn’t mean Bucs can’t draft or sign another capable player
April 7th, 2026 at 2:06 pm
Baker Mayfield is just a mid range QB, his record proves that. Nothing special.
Let him ride out the 2026 season and see how it goes.
He watched ME13 bolt to get away from the Swiss cheese defensive scheme.
I’m guessing he would be better off elsewhere away from Todd Bowles.
Unfortunately we fans have no escape hatch like the players do.
April 7th, 2026 at 2:09 pm
He’ll get his contract. Its a matter of when, not if.
April 7th, 2026 at 2:12 pm
Simms has perspective, experience, knowledge and his opinions are really valuable. Wait………..Mulch is wrong? Ha..
April 7th, 2026 at 2:13 pm
Gotta sign Him Long Term just to see Munch’s Head implode
April 7th, 2026 at 2:20 pm
Glazers needed to read the comments on JBF at the end of last season!
Good freaking grief!
3 Blind Mice
Fred Flintstone
Terminal.500
The Emperor’s Have No Clothes
The whole football Kingdom can see…
April 7th, 2026 at 2:21 pm
Bucs just signed WR David Sills from the Falcons….
This dude absolutely killed is last year in the Bucs/Falcons games…
Never even knew anything about this guy but he played well in Robinsons offensive scheme….
Very interesting…
April 7th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
There’s at least a dozen NFL teams right now that would be very happy to sign Baker Mayfield to a multi year $40+M per contract.
Despite the rough ending to 2025 – when you look at his 3 year body of work here in Tampa Bay, stats say Baker is easily a top 10 Quarterback. He’s top 3 in TDs thrown I believe….
You combine those stats with fiery leadership and a genuine demonstrated “football mentality” – and still in his prime at 31 years old – the Bucs would be foolish not to try and sign Mayfield to a somewhat team friendly 2-3 year extension sooner rather than later.
Get him locked in. Give him (and his family) the peace of mind that he has indeed found his “home” – that the Bucs ARE his team for the foreseeable future and are committed to surrounding him with talent.
Under those circumstances – Baker might just be willing to agree to a 3 year extension for $130M or so with some additional incentives and $80M guaranteed – on top of the $40M he is already earning in 2026…..
Sounds expensive – but that would represent an under market deal and be a win-win for both sides IMO…..
April 7th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
David Sills is the guy that caught that 4th & 14 (from the 3rd & 28) catch against Vildoor to set Falcons up for the last second field goal….
How times have turned, lol
April 7th, 2026 at 2:25 pm
I wonder if Sean McVay regrets letting Baker go? Baker could be with McVay next year if Stafford retires after this season.
April 7th, 2026 at 2:30 pm
Lakeland. Rod Munch agrees with you 100% on Mayfield not being able to throw it vertically. Simms, I wasn’t too impressed with his game when he was in college (Texas) so I’m pretty sure he’s got different opinions on QB play than I have. So Simms saying “And he’s one of the more explosive quarterbacks in football in the pocket because of his frame of mind and his big right arm”. I’ve got to admit. Every football scout, or player(especially defensive backs), or television pundit- none I’ve ever heard of has ever said anything- anything- about Baker’s downfield passing ability. In fact, quite the contrary. His downfield rifle strikes fill up an all day highlight reel. Let’s see if your narrative gains any traction there Lakeland. I’m telling you, with Munch on your side you guys have a good start with it.
April 7th, 2026 at 2:31 pm
LynchMob50 Says:
April 7th, 2026 at 2:06 pm
Baker Mayfield is just a mid range QB, his record proves that. Nothing special.
====================================
Mathew Stafford career record 120-118. Baker Mayfield 58-62. Pretty sure Mayfield record for the first 8 years of his career better than Stafford. Is Stafford a a mid range QB? Baker will sign for $50Mill 3 year deal with most guaranteed. When he does, you, Munch, and the other “experts” please just go away.
April 7th, 2026 at 2:51 pm
Bucs should sign Baker long term.
April 7th, 2026 at 2:56 pm
LynchMob50 Says:
April 7th, 2026 at 2:06 pm
Baker Mayfield is just a mid range QB, his record proves that. Nothing special.
Let him ride out the 2026 season and see how it goes.
BINGO!!!!!
lets see if baker can win 11games and 2 playoffs games…anything less, he’s walking!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
April 7th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
Mathew Stafford career record 120-118. Baker Mayfield 58-62. Pretty sure Mayfield record for the first 8 years of his career better than Stafford.
baker couldnt hold staffords jock strap lol
GO BUCS!!!!