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 then 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.
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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!!!!
April 7th, 2026 at 3:08 pm
5 yr./255 million. By the end of the contract he will be considered cheap. And the last few years the salary cap will be huge, so we would be fine paying it. Baker isn’t an average quarterback. He’s a pro bowl, franchise quarterback with a rocket arm. Watch the Seattle game again. He throws deep with *incredible* precision in that game.
Protect him, and you will win far more often than not.
April 7th, 2026 at 3:33 pm
Give Baker a new contract now. Munch’s head will not be the only one that implodes.All the Winston and Trask cult members will.
April 7th, 2026 at 3:34 pm
Lynchmob, Baker came here because Bowles wanted him here. So Bowles is mostly responsible for resurrecting Bakers career. I doubt that is lost on Baker, he owes Todd.
April 7th, 2026 at 3:37 pm
No new contract. Wait for results this year.
April 7th, 2026 at 3:38 pm
Lakeland, Baker was misfiring with Egbuka or anyone else in the earlier part of the season. It happened in conjunction with the injuries. And it was the same thing in 2021 except the injury happened earlier in the year. Not coincidentally with injuries to his left arm both times.
April 7th, 2026 at 3:39 pm
Was not misfiring
April 7th, 2026 at 3:39 pm
Baker is a QB you win WITH
Not a QB you win because, of. Can’t overpay him and not pay anyone else.
I get it, the O-Line wasn’t healthy and Licht failed to have quality depth there. But all the 4th quarter INT’s against lesser opponents showed us Baker, is not the franchise type QB who can carry a squad to wins. He needs help, and you can’t pay him and everyone else. Especially since Licht can’t draft good defenders
April 7th, 2026 at 3:40 pm
It isn’t just SIMMs, it’s Florio as well that thinks the Bucs should resign Baker.
April 7th, 2026 at 3:43 pm
Section 312, Baker was a quarterback we won with because of him in the first half of the season!
April 7th, 2026 at 3:46 pm
It is true though that they find that sweet spot when it comes to the amounts and duration of the new contract. If the Bucs show a commitment to win going forward, Baker will play ball I think and take another team friendly deal.
April 7th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
813bucboi Says:
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!!!!
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Hey doofus, Baker QB record, which is what you idiots talk about, was better than Stafford’s for their 1st 8 years in the NFL. The more you idiots post the dumber you are.
April 7th, 2026 at 4:17 pm
Winston and Trask shouldn’t be put in the same conversation. Winston was and is a very talented quarterback whose abilities were not harnessed like they should have been. Sean Payton was beginning to do just that but then Jameis blew out his knee and he really hasn’t been given another chance to be a starter. His time with the browns should not count. Trask on the other hand was a second round pick and the Bucs nor anyone else since is willing to give him a chance. There has to be a reason for that.
April 7th, 2026 at 4:18 pm
all you pretend GMs don’t know squat.
April 7th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
They’ll have to do a Vita Vea contract to amoritise the hit, and why not. Seven years at $65 AAV = $455 aka largest QB deal in history. Guaranteed money maybe $250, also largest. This is reasonable. Hard to see how we won’t win a Superbowl during that period, especially toward the end when the value of his cap hit is less vs the salary cap. Baker is a baller.
April 7th, 2026 at 4:39 pm
I think they make him play out this year – off topic, I still can’t believe in that 1st Panthers game last year…the Panthers have the ball 2nd and 2 at the Bucs 22…12 seconds left in the half and no time outs…the Panthers only play is to throw it to the endzone…so you think the Bucs give up the short field goal and just flush 7 or 8 guys into or around the endzone…the Panthers throw it away kick the FG and go into half time down 10 to 9…but Bowles blitzes sends 7…the WR for the panthers runs by Dean (why did he come up) Bam TD!
Sigh Go Bucs!
April 7th, 2026 at 4:46 pm
It’d be wild if because of that one now famous ATL post-game PC by Bowles, he saved his job
If he didn’t show how pissed off he was in the public eye that day, he might have been fired. With the Glazers so alarmed by the outcome of that game that they are questioning the direction of the entire organization, yea, I’d say if Bowles came out flat there or apathetic or ho-hum, it wouldn’t have sat well with Team Glazer at all and he would’ve been a goner after the season concluded.
That PC has even more lore now. Wild.
April 7th, 2026 at 4:51 pm
@Aaron lol Bowles and Grizz just weren’t jiving last year, better days ahead brother, better days ahead…
April 7th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
2nd Aints game Baker chokes on the final drive with a chance to win it. Completes less than 50% of his passes and has a costly pick
2nd ATL Game, 4th Quarter, BAKER INT
1st Panthers game, 4th quarter, BAKER INT
v Dolphins, 4th Quarter, Baker FUMBLES!!! BAKER INT!!! (Double WHAMMY!!!)
Needed one of these games and Baker came up short every time
April 7th, 2026 at 5:50 pm
Wait until the end of the 2026 season to sign Baker is a gamble that I see the Bucs taking! If Baker and the Bucs go belly-up, problem solved, draft the best quarterback available in 2027 and move on! On the flip side, Baker lights it up top 5 in all offensive categories but Bucs defense folds all season. Solution, play baker an unfriendly team contract extension and moves on! Or extend Baker now with a team friendly contract with incentives and move on! Me, I would never gamble against Baker.
April 7th, 2026 at 6:11 pm
Bye BakerByeBowles. I might take Caleb Williams in front of Baker on that above list. No, I don’t think I would. Baker is as good a QB as anyone on that list. Odds are, Tampa signs him this offseason.
April 7th, 2026 at 6:15 pm
BBBB. And he’ll be paid in the range of any QB on your list. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. Or better yet- Munch on that!
April 7th, 2026 at 6:50 pm
Sorry. Love Baker, but can’t give him another multiyear contract at this point. Let him play out 2026. Then if he performs, tag him or give an extension.
But extending him when the current HC is on the hot seat makes no sense.
April 7th, 2026 at 6:58 pm
Saw a stat this morning on WUB (I think it was)… Only like HALF of the Starting/Franchise-QB’s in the entire LEAUGE, are making at least $30-MIL per year!!!! And, that includes Baker and Cousins. Though, I didn’t see Willis on the list, so it was probably just for last season’s QB’s. But Tua was not on it either, unless I just missed it!?
There were barely, only 10 of them making $50+MIL. Most all of them you would say are WORTH-IT, or at least justifiable. Other than Trevor Lawrence and Jordan Love. BUT, both franchises from to having such very LOW ‘sample-sizes’ due to injuries (&/or) having to sit behind ‘someone else’ in the very beginning (like Love), were left without much of a choice. You could obviously see that the ‘potential’ talent was there, in both. AND, they were both drafted by their current franchises. I’m just not sure there would’ve been anyone else willing to PAY THAT, though!?
Bottomline being, “Those Guys” we’re both extremely YOUNG and FRESH, while just coming off of THEIR ‘rookie’ deals. Baker is NOT. He is neither of those things, or even close. You’re going to have to make HIM earn it ?. That is just the ‘reality’ of the current situation that this Bucs Franchise is in. There are too many questions marks. And, bad teams absolutely do NOT need to be investing (especially ‘longterm’) $50-MIL+ per season in ANY inconsistent, aging, beat up and banged up, only just slightly above average Quarterback. Period. End of Story. Let someone ELSE do that then, if THEY want to. Number-1, it would not fit our timeline. Currently, we don’t even know what our “timeline” IS!? You play out this season FIRST.
A BAD TEAM (heading fast towards a complete rebuild) does NOT NEED to be spending $200-MIL+ on a Quarterback. Especially one, who is ‘OLDER’ and is on an entirely different timeline. It would be completely POINTLESS. It does absolutely, NOTHING. The ONLY way you would and should (when you are a bad team)… Is if he is ‘YOUNG’ and without a doubt, a TOP-5 ‘generational’ type of talent, who CAN take a team and put them on HIS shoulders, AND WIN. A 33-36 year old, middle of the road, $50MIL+ per year Quarterback on a BAD TEAM, is pure ignorance. There is literally, absolutely NOTHING to gain by it. You can only LOSE and dig yourself, an even deeper hole.
April 7th, 2026 at 7:16 pm
And, if you DO!? Then, you’re only going to HURT your chances of landing a top-tier level, HC and GM. And, all for WHAT exactly… Just to be good enough to win between 6-9 Games every year, while keeping us from having a Top-5/10 Pick!? SERIOUSLY!? Just to hire ANOTHER ‘average’ no-name or retread HC!? REALLY!? There comes a point, where you have to just rip the band-aid OFF, tear-it all down, and start over FRESH. Right now, we don’t even know WHERE we are (though, most of us living in ‘reality’ already do). But, by then end of this upcoming season we for sure WILL. And, THEN we can decide on BAKER. His market will be just like it was the last time. I think it’ll be more like 4-6, but there are some people out there, who are extremely ’bullish’ on there being 7-QB’s taken in the 1st-Round, during next season’s draft. That’s right… “SEVEN.” Ya know, there are only so many of those ‘openings’ in the league every year, to begin with.
April 7th, 2026 at 7:21 pm
Since 2023… in prime-time and playoff games Baker has gone 2-11.
In his career year of 2024, he went 0-5.
Last year, needing a single win to make the playoffs, he singlehandedly lost 4 games in a row. Was terrible from week 7 to week 17.
But sure, don’t wait to see if he bounces back, go ahead and give him a billion dollar extension right now! I’m sure it will work out great!
April 7th, 2026 at 7:32 pm
A smarter gamble would be to burn a 6th/7th on Jack Strand this year
April 7th, 2026 at 7:37 pm
Well someone’s head is already imploding just talking about an extension. Guarantee you will have a complete meltdown if they do extend him.
April 7th, 2026 at 7:52 pm
If I didn’t know better I would believe Son Of Trask was back.
April 7th, 2026 at 7:55 pm
BBBB. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. There you go.
April 7th, 2026 at 8:17 pm
I am sure that the “baker” haters are extremely successful or have been successful at their daytime jobs, how successful would you have been had you had a different boss with a completely different set of rules for each of the past 8 years? Add a different set of coworkers and owners in the mix with a salary increase on the line. Do you see success or failure?
April 7th, 2026 at 8:40 pm
Please, people, come to grips with the fact that if you want the kind of quarterback you claim to want, you will be paying him 50Mil/year and up. Who, precisely? In your fantasies you mention all these names, but you never cite one as being remotely available to the Bucs. The standard is not to let a player in his prime play out a contract; it’s a sign of appreciation, as well as recognition that his existing salary is undermined by normal inflation. If the Bucs let an eight-year veteran play an extra year to evaluate him, that is a sign of disrespect. Mike Evans noticed this. Now, when one of your super-QBs sees Baker being treated this way, he will not be inclined to jump to the Bucs. Unlike yourselves, he is not going to say, “How wise of the Bucs to test Baker for another year!” After all, he’ll be treared the same way if he comes here.
April 7th, 2026 at 9:07 pm
Second most TD’s, 95, in the NFL in the last 3 years which includes Baker playing the entire second half of 2025 with multiple injuries that Lavonte David said were painful.
You girls go play with your dolls. Just a bunch of whining weasels. Glad Bucs have a QB that doesn’t whine. He shows up and plays.
April 7th, 2026 at 9:11 pm
Oh, and one more thing. More like $150million more over three years. Get used to it girls.
April 7th, 2026 at 9:12 pm
Okiejim Says:
April 7th, 2026 at 8:17 pm
I am sure that the “baker” haters are extremely successful or have been successful at their daytime jobs, how successful would you have been had you had a different boss with a completely different set of rules for each of the past 8 years? Add a different set of coworkers and owners in the mix with a salary increase on the line. Do you see success or failure?
————————————————————–
Okiejim: Great point. Otherwise, in my humble opinion, you may be giving the antibakes excess credit as to their assumed professional successes. I’ve been in analytics for over 40 years and I can tell you that the real money is very often found outside of the box of universally-published data. It’s the information that not everyone else is looking at. If I went into an investor meeting with only the data that everyone else is known to have, I would’ve been done from the start.
April 7th, 2026 at 9:32 pm
Seems like the Bucs under Bowles always fail under the primetime ligjts. Not a good look nationally that the team you own loses every primetime game and doesnt matter who they are playing. Not sure what they see in Bowles at alll……
April 7th, 2026 at 9:36 pm
BBBB: Got to get up early? Night, night candy a$$!
April 7th, 2026 at 9:36 pm
Out for the early handshake after a big win, but hide in the suite and watch the fallout during a terrible loss. Got it.
April 7th, 2026 at 9:40 pm
BBBB,
A lot of words to say very little. You don’t teach anything. You are an endless, girlie whiner. Will you and Munch go away when Baker is paid $50Mill/yr.?
April 7th, 2026 at 11:02 pm
Is everyone on here insane? We went 2-7 he sucked- not a leader of anything
April 7th, 2026 at 11:05 pm
Darnold has had 4 coordinators in 4 years. Bakers had 4 coordinators technically over 4 years but Coen was his coordinator twice. Once with Rams and once with the Bucs. So since it was on different teams we’ll say 5 for Baker to 4 for Darnold. So you’re wrong bbbb, Darnold hasn’t had more coordinators over the last 4 years. Over their entire careers, Darnold has had 7 offensive coordinators and Baker has had 9 if you count Coen on the 2 different teams. If you count the upcoming season then Darnold’s on #8 and Baker #10. Suffice to say, neither has had an easy time of it and both have overcome it because they’re both very good players. Most people that say good things about Darnold now are some of the same people that ripped him before. Same thing with Baker.
April 7th, 2026 at 11:06 pm
For the Glazers, Baker Mayfield is the least of their challenges with the team overall. They are currently in discussions with his agent and both parties know that finalizing a deal prior to the draft will enable the Bucs the greatest benefits in cost-control and leverage over the extension period. Although extending Mayfield prior to the season presents (performance) risk, at this point they know what they are dealing with in him. If they can get it done, it will most likely be at least a somewhat team-friendly deal. They also know if they don’t get it done, they’ll be facing one of the following basic scenarios (together with consequences):
1) Baker balls out and the Bucs make a substantial playoff run: Baker earns a top-tier market value price tag that assumes no team-friendly incentives. The Glazers are now in a highly-competitive bidding situation. Choose Baker, or defer to a not-great first round draft pick for a new “franchise” QB?
2) Baker plays well, but the Bucs don’t make a substantial playoff run: Baker earns a top-tier or near-top-tier market value price tag, but needs to look at other team offers due to lack of faith in the future of the Bucs organization. The Glazers are now faced with a rebuild/tank decision that will likely lead to multiple years of declining revenue. Tough choice because they’ll need to pay up for Baker while trying to mix his effect on salary cap with rebuild costs. Choose Baker, or rebuild?
3) Baker under-performs (with the team likely under-performing as well): Baker’s immediate future is that of a backup in the NFL. The Bucs/Glazers capitalize on waiting to extend Baker’s contract, looking forward to a great 2027 QB draft selection and salary-cap easing.
Which scenario are you putting your money on?
April 7th, 2026 at 11:21 pm
For the Glazers, Baker Mayfield is the least of their challenges with the team overall. They are currently in discussions with his agent and both parties know that finalizing a deal prior to the draft will enable the Bucs the greatest benefits in cost-control and leverage over the extension period. Although extending Mayfield prior to the season presents (performance) risk, at this point they know what they are dealing with in him. If they can get it done, it will most likely be at least a somewhat team-friendly deal. They also know if they don’t get it done, they’ll be facing one of the following basic scenarios (together with consequences):
1) Baker balls out and the Bucs make a substantial playoff run: Baker earns a top-tier market value price tag that assumes no team-friendly incentives. The Glazers are now in a highly-competitive bidding situation. Choose Baker, or defer to a not-great first round draft pick for a new “franchise” QB?
2) Baker plays well, but the Bucs don’t make a substantial playoff run: Baker earns a top-tier or near-top-tier market value price tag, but needs to look at other team offers due to lack of faith in the future of the Bucs organization. The Glazers are now faced with a rebuild/tank decision that will likely lead to multiple years of declining revenue. Tough choice because they’ll need to pay up for Baker while trying to mix his effect on salary cap with rebuild costs. Choose Baker, or rebuild?
3) Baker under-performs (with the team likely under-performing as well): Baker’s immediate future is that of a backup in the NFL. The Bucs/Glazers capitalize on waiting to extend Baker’s contract, looking forward to a great 2027 QB draft selection and salary-cap easing.
Which scenario are you putting your money on?
April 7th, 2026 at 11:40 pm
No. He already proved he’s a gagger in crunch time when the playoffs are at stake.
No.
April 7th, 2026 at 11:52 pm
Apologies for the double post.
April 8th, 2026 at 1:53 am
Joe says: Man, these Glazers are patient folks.
and that is why this team is mediocre at best and hard to watch. Too many bad games. It sucks watching this team lose and Bowles like a statue on the sideline. Glazzers may watch the team but too damn incompetent to make needed adjustments like firing this loser head coach this team got saddled with.
April 8th, 2026 at 1:57 am
Baker is a baller but he was awful last year. Why extend him? Just tag him if needed and get a rookie next year. We only getting 4 wins in 2026 so Bucs will have a top pick. For God’s sake move on from the worst head coach in the league already.
April 8th, 2026 at 7:56 am
gipper
how many playoff wins does baker have as a buc?….and you want to extend that lol…
good thing you’re not a GM lol….the game is about WINS not stats from a losing season lol
GO BUCS!!!!!
April 8th, 2026 at 9:18 am
813bucboi Says:
April 8th, 2026 at 7:56 am
gipper
how many playoff wins does baker have as a buc?….and you want to extend that lol…
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Gee, I thought football was a team sport? Somehow a QB is supposed to win behind 4thstring OG’s and some guy named Chubaka at LT? Not to mention playing with multiple injuries. Idiots who write this drivel never played on a sports team and have rarely accomplished much in life.
April 8th, 2026 at 10:09 am
Did BBBB just use the word objectivity? Talk about projection, wow!!
April 8th, 2026 at 10:17 am
Some of you worship Mahomes, its hilarious. Baker beat his butt twice in college in the quarterbackduel of the century. Then Mahomes went to the greatest coach in the league because the league thought Baker was better because he beat him twice, why wouldnt they, and Baker went to the worst 3 coaches in the league who aren’t coaches today. That is obviously the difference. Coaching matters.
April 8th, 2026 at 10:18 am
You said it Gipper. They never played any sport, you can tell.
April 8th, 2026 at 10:24 am
You haters love to ignore the fact that in the playoffs Baker has played better than anyone 106.5 passer rating. For the umpteenth time 3. 28 Evans, your not a “gagger” when you play better than anyone. But I know you will continue to ignore that fact because it makes you feel uncomfortable. Gagger, you are hilarious.
April 8th, 2026 at 11:31 am
If you are a true Bucs Fan, then WHY in the hell would you be hoping for THEM to pay over $200-MIL ($50MIL+ per) for ANY aging, beaten and banged up, small, middle of the road QUARTERBACK (under this current regime right now, when we don’t have to), is just beyond me. It’s because YOU are not a true Bucs Fan. YOU are a BAKER Fan, and that is extremely weird as an ADULT.
And, NO… We do not need to DRAFT a QB in 2027. You ‘rebuild’ the ROSTER FIRST. It’s the way! Especially, for an organization like the Bucs. You sign a young dynamic HC and GM that the FANS can trust, get excited about, and rally around for the proceeding rebuild. You sign a “bridge” QB on a cheap ‘mid-level’ contract FIRST. Hopefully, draft Jeremiah Smith. Clear up as much cap space as possible and BUILD. THE. ROSTER. Be calculating on WHEN you’re making ‘your move’ on DRAFTING your new franchise QB on a ‘rookie’ deal. BE SMART. And, you can be LEGIT Contenders for the next DECADE+ starting by as early as 2029, with the ‘right’ Head Coach and GM.
But, handing over $200MIL+ to BAKER MAYFIELD and ‘HANDCUFFING’ us during the next coaching carousel, when we currently have ALL of the leverage (including the franchise tag, & etc.), is just LUDICROUS. Then, you are NOT a true Bucs Fan. You allow HIM to play out the season under his current contract, and you make him EARN IT. I mean, WHY wouldn’t you!? It only makes the most sense. It’s totally ABSURD to be screaming about PAYING HIM NOWWWW… Give him what HE WANTS. It’s stupid and PATHETIC.
April 8th, 2026 at 1:08 pm
See what Raiders paid Cousins to basically be a backup, someone is going to pay Baker whether it’s the Bucs or not. He’d be stupid to play next year without an extension.
April 8th, 2026 at 1:12 pm
Rocket10 Says:
April 8th, 2026 at 1:08 pm
See what Raiders paid Cousins to basically be a backup, someone is going to pay Baker whether it’s the Bucs or not. He’d be stupid to play next year without an extension.
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LOL! So now Baker, who will make $40M this season, should sit out?
Man, the Baker Boi(s) have so much faith in their guy.
April 8th, 2026 at 1:17 pm
MelvinJunior – The big thing is that it makes zero sense to extend Baker now. He’s got a year left, the Bucs could always use the franchise tag if needed. If Baker signed a super cheap deal, like $30M a season, then sure – go ahead and do it – you could always trade him – even if he had a down year someone would take a chance on a cheap deal. BUT, he’s not going to do that, so it makes no sense to extend him coming off a bad year where he let the team down when it mattered the most.
But Baker has this year. The Bucs are giving him no legit competition, they’d handing him the job, it’s make or break time. If he goes out, plays great, wins – he’ll get a gigantic new contract. If he does what he did last year, then Bowles is fired, and a new HC can determine what they want to do.
April 8th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
Melvin listed all the things that he thinks makes Baker look bad with a little slight of hand thrown in just for shiz and giggles like he always does. Well here is what Baker really is: When protected, one of the most accurate passers in the league. One of the best at rolling out and throwing on the run. One of the few quarterbacks to throw the ball in the mid 65mph range, Josh Allen is the other. Has the RECORD for longest throw in a game. Has the best playoff passer rating of ALL time 106.5. “Baker can make any throw on the field”–Tom Brady
Has an uncanny quickness and knows how to use it to extend plays and pick up first downs. In fact, has led the league in first downs using his quick legs. Reads defenses so well Liam Coen wanted him to read the defense at the line of scrimmage and change the play as needed, resulting in the qb with the most thrown TD’s and top 5 yardage and second best passer rating. Great leader. One of the best qb’s to comeback and win a game in the last minute. Even against the best defenses. You can never count him out. With these skills he beat the superbowl champions. I could go on but some of the haters attention span is very limited. Mayfield has never been this teams problem.
April 8th, 2026 at 5:09 pm
And yet they still kept the leaders of the team…