Baker Mayfield: Bucs “Not Anywhere Close” In Contract Talks
June 5th, 2026
Negotiations with Bucs bumpy.
Well, Baker Mayfield talked. And Joe is guessing some Bucs fans won’t like what he had to say.
The Bucs’ Pro Bowl quarterback, who has led the team to NFC South titles in three of his first four years in town, spoke for the first time to assembled media at One Buc Palace today since last season. And, sadly, his contract talks with the Bucs seemed to be the focus.
Mayfield is in a contract year. He emphasized how much he wants to remain with the Bucs and be part of the Tampa Bay community, as he and his wife recently had their second child, both born in Tampa. But the contract talks aren’t as smooth as Mayfield would have preferred.
Mayfield noted his representatives and the Bucs are far apart, documents Jenna Laine of ESPN.
“We’ve built roots here in Tampa,” Mayfield said. “We love the community. We love to be here. They’ve embraced us, and we enjoy being here and obviously going to raise kids here. But yeah, contract stuff — it’s happening, it’s starting, the talks and whatnot, but not anywhere close to what we were thinking.”
Once training camp starts, Mayfield noted, he’s not discussing his contract. Football and his teammates come first.
“It’s not up to me when that gets done by,” Mayfield said. “So hopefully before that. If not — still going to have a good year.”
And Mayfield underlined how much he wants to be the Bucs’ quarterback for years to come.
“We’d love to be here long-term. And as of right now, that’s not exactly the case, but I’m under contract in 2026,” Mayfield said. “And the guys in that locker and the staff know that I’m still going to be me. I’m still going to do everything I can to help this team win a Super Bowl. And to me, that’s a priority. Everything else take care of itself.”
The two Joes have gotten into beer-can throwing fights — fortunately, they were all dead soldiers — at JoeBucsFan.com world headuarters over Mayfield’s contract.
One of the Joes wants Mayfield signed to an extension of some form before the start of the season. The other Joe, with the collapse last year losing seven of the final nine games to miss the playoffs freshly in his memory stick, wants to see how this season plays out before putting a contract in front of Mayfield.
One way or the other, everybody at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters expects Mayfield will be the Bucs quarterback in 2027.
June 5th, 2026 at 2:19 pm
This dude had the gall to say he acknowledged the Bucs gave him a chance but he also gave the Bucs a chance! LOL!! The Bucs did right and paid him for that and now he wants upwards of $50 million / yr?!! What’s he done since he got his second contract with the Bucs?
I say let his ass play on the contract year and I’ll gladly pay him top dollar if he plays to his second year with Coen.
June 5th, 2026 at 2:20 pm
Sign him now. Otherwise, Bucs will be looking at a significantly larger contract next year which will severely impact their ability to put a good roster around him.
June 5th, 2026 at 2:21 pm
He’s saying exactly what you’d expect
June 5th, 2026 at 2:21 pm
Baker M would do all of us a favor by doing this!
Money is one thing, but if Baker M would include this contract language in his extension……There needs to be a New DC at One Buc Place in 2026!
Todd Bowles can remain the Grand Fromage!! but he can’t be DC in 2026!
That would do everyone a big favor!!!
June 5th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
He’s under contract, coming off a year where he was so bad from week 7 on that he got the entire offensive staff fired, cost the Bucs the playoffs, and caused Mike Evans to flee to the other side of the country.
Not sure how that justifies an extension when he’s already under contract.
Let’s see how he does this year, if he returns to his 2024 form (where he still went 1-5 in prime time and playoff games btw) then we give him a new deal. Or, if he plays like he did for most of last year, well everyone is getting fired and the new coach and decide what they want to do.
June 5th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
I’ve been saying it. He knows this is his last year. The final 9 games of last season going 2-7 sealed his fate. If they had confidence he’d bounce back, he would have a contract by now.
Baker wants multiple years and top dollars but there is no market for him. He’s going to play mediocre at best this season then he can go be another teams problem in 27.
June 5th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Last year collapse was on bake giving him a boatload would be crazy I say give him 45MM for 4 yrs 160 gtd
June 5th, 2026 at 2:33 pm
Baker has been in Tampa since 2023. That’s three seasons, not four.
And two NFC South titles, not three. Simple basic math and common sense.
“The Bucs’ Pro Bowl quarterback, who has led the team to NFC South titles in three of his first four years in town”
Who proof reads these articles? Helen Keller?
June 5th, 2026 at 2:33 pm
They have not problem extending a pitiful, subpar coach….just sayin
June 5th, 2026 at 2:34 pm
Timon Says:
June 5th, 2026 at 2:19 pm
This dude had the gall to say he acknowledged the Bucs gave him a chance but he also gave the Bucs a chance! LOL!! The Bucs did right and paid him for that and now he wants upwards of $50 million / yr?!! What’s he done since he got his second contract with the Bucs?
————–
I’m not a Baker Boi … but come on.
The Bucs gave him a chance, but also they needed a QB on the cheap, and Baker fit the bill – and he did well. But Baker also thought he was going to be the hottest commodity in football coming off his middling year, and found people really weren’t all that interested, and the Bucs low-balled him with a deal they could escape after two years – before he got real money (which is this year). To Baker’s agents’ credit, he used Baker’s week 6 MVP status to get the Bucs to guarantee his deal this year. People don’t want to hear this, but had the Bucs not guaranteed his deal, I’m not so sure the Bucs keep him this year at $40M (they probably do, but just saying it wouldn’t be guaranteed).
But for a new deal, I’m guessing Baker’s camp is asking for upwards of $60M for at least 5 years ($300M) and if the Bucs were even at all considering an extension, I assume it would be more of a $50M/3yr offer. With that said, a $55M/4yr extension would make sense IF Baker performs this years.
But just like last year, Baker’s agent wants to lock everything up now, because you never know when Baker is going to turn back into a pumpkin, like he did last year after week 6, after the MVP chants, and after he started telling everyone how good he was.
In any case, the Baker Boi(s) should be happy about all of this. Baker plays his best when he’s got a chip on his shoulder – and Baker plays his worst when everyone is patting him on the back. You should want Baker angry if you want him to do well.
June 5th, 2026 at 2:35 pm
Timon Says:
“What’s he done since he got his second contract with the Bucs?”
Top 5 in passing yards and TDs over the last 3 years for starters….
June 5th, 2026 at 2:35 pm
[When exactly did Joe type the trainwreck of an offensive line last year wasn’t an issue? — Joe] Baker is a phenomenally talented QB with a rocket arm that throws a ton of touchdowns. People tie the performance of teams way too much with the performance of quarterbacks. [Well, that’s because they are the most important player on a team. Don’t think so? Go look at the salaries. — Joe] Darnold won a Super Bowl because he is very competent and happened to be on an excellent football team last year.
Baker happened to be on a team always missing between 40-80% of his offensive line and receivers last year. He was positively swarmed once both guards were out for the year. Under siege. In an impossible situation just like Mahomes before the injury. [Joe also remembers the Chiefs having a trainwreck of an offensive line and somehow Mahomes got them to a Super Bowl. Hhhmmm. What were you saying about the importance of quarterbacks? — Joe] Any great QB will be a dismal failure with an extremely porous turnstile offensive line. Especially a shorter one seeing tons of pressure up the middle!
Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the very good and sign the immensely talented QB we have as soon as possible for a long term deal. Or this team will collapse. And that’s no joke.
June 5th, 2026 at 2:37 pm
Baker is mid at best. He’s bought into these puff pieces that claim he’s a top 10 QB.
Not even close, bud. He is out of his depth.
$50 mil+ per season would be a catastrophic mistake.
If anything he deserves a pay cut.
Offer $19 mil a year for two years. He doesn’t deserve a dollar more.
June 5th, 2026 at 2:38 pm
Man, these guys need to put their agents in their place and get a dose of perspective. Just because you can make more, doesn’t mean you should. I certainly don’t wanna save these rich owners money but I’d like to have a decent QB and money to build the OL and pay a RB and pay the WRs.
I want Baker signed but at a reasonable rate and this makes me disappointed in Baker, not the Bucs.
Take 40-45 MILLION(!) a year and really help the team try to win a SB. At that price, you can be built around.
What is take home on that in Florida after agent fees, training fees, taxes, etc. gotta still be 25 million in your pocket.
June 5th, 2026 at 2:39 pm
He played like a middle of the road QB, he should be paid like a middle of the road QB.
Back when he played for the Browns, and he started making commercials, his play fell of sharply. The can be said for his time here, limited exposure to cameras and his play was great, starts showing up in commercials again and his play slides. Keep him off the damn TV!!
June 5th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
Haha Lynchmob!
19 million would be a slap in the face. Baker would “get a concussion” immediately if they offered that.
Sounds like Bucs are in the 40-45 range and Baker thinks 55.
I would pay him 45… I don’t know what the hell they will do without him but over 50 is too rich.
June 5th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
3rd & 28
June 5th, 2026 at 2:43 pm
Check on Gipper/Kenton. Happy feet is on his way out lol
June 5th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
Hi, It’s me, I am the problem, it’s me….. Signed, Baker Mayfield
June 5th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
It’s me, I am the problem it’s me…
June 5th, 2026 at 2:49 pm
Saskbucs Says:
I want Baker signed but at a reasonable rate and this makes me disappointed in Baker, not the Bucs.
Take 40-45 MILLION(!) a year and really help the team try to win a SB. At that price, you can be built around.
———–
Here’s the thing though… unless the Bucs had an early out, I’m not even sure they’d want that deal.
The issue with Baker is how incredibly bad he was from week 7 on last year. If it was just injuries, then great, he can prove that this year. But there’s a reason why Cleveland wanted to get rid of him, why the Panthers cut him. When you see his play last year, mixed with that tape from 2021-2022, when he literally was the worst QB in football according to QBR (right behind Zach Wilson), the people signing the checks have to wonder if they really want to go all-in on a 31-year old who is constantly ‘injured’.
I don’t see any reason at all that the Bucs would give Baker an extension after the way he played last year. The Bucs have him under contract, and can always use the franchise tag. Let it play out, and if Baker performs, then reward him with a new huge deal.
But 2-9 in playoff and prime-time games, a terrible slumb that cost the team the playoffs last year and cause Mike Evans to flee town. I don’t get why they’d want to sign him to an extension unless it was the bargain of the century, and even then, if I’m the Glazers, I’d still want an out after a year. And there’s no way, or reason, Baker would take a deal like that – and he shouldn’t.
June 5th, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Whether you think the offer is too low or the expectation is too high, “not anywhere close to what we were thinking” is a bad sign.
June 5th, 2026 at 2:56 pm
Saskbucs Says:
June 5th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
Haha Lynchmob!
19 million would be a slap in the face. Baker would “get a concussion” immediately if they offered that.
Sounds like Bucs are in the 40-45 range and Baker thinks 55.
I would pay him 45… I don’t know what the hell they will do without him but over 50 is too rich.
———-
You guys are not adjusting for capflation. I mean Christian Watson just got $28M/year yesterday – that’s a guy who has played for 4 years and had 620 yards in his best season. That’s a guy that just a few years ago is probably getting $10M/year at most.
If Baker performs this year and wins a playoff game, then he’ll get $60M or so.
But the Bucs should wait for that to happen before paying him.
June 5th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
Mayfield gave the Bucs their “Thank you” discounted contract.
Done.
Now, It’s hard truth time. The Bucs are a team in decline.
Evans, Lavonte, Dean gone.
Our only good linemen is old. Vea. Gone soon.
Linebacker. We got nothing. Nothing now. Nothing on the horizon
Cornerbacks. First years and rookies.
We do have that one great vet . . . , oh, no we don’t. Nevermind.
Like Tykee Smith at Safety. Winfield Jr. had one good year. Got massively overpaid. Quiet as a church mouse since.
Baker won’t resign. Not if he’s smart.
I said a few weeks ago, that I doubted they would get him to sign an extension.
He won’t if he’s smart.
June 5th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
ElioT Says:
June 5th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
3rd & 28
———
Which never happens if Baker makes a simple throw that I can make on the previous series – and then the Bucs run out the clock, win the game, and make the playoffs.
That play is why Baker shouldn’t get extended.
June 5th, 2026 at 2:59 pm
Both camps are doing exactly what they should be.
I’m happy because it’s clear that the Bucs aren’t going to treat him like Allen burrough or Jackson.
I’m fine giving him 45mm plus per year as long as the contract is structured in a manner that we can get out of after 2 yrs if need be.
We do not want to be AZ or Miami in 24 months.
June 5th, 2026 at 2:59 pm
Capt.Tim Says:
June 5th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
Mayfield gave the Bucs their “Thank you” discounted contract.
———–
Yeah, that’s not what happened. The Bucs told him to test the market, and they’d match whatever deal he could find – and it turns out people weren’t actually all that interested after 2023 when Baker put up a middling season and that was his best offer.
Baker has been very clear about not taking hometown discounts, or taking cheap deals to help the team. He’s no Tom Brady.
June 5th, 2026 at 3:04 pm
Daniel Jones money at best. Fair market value, play out this contract and we’ll see what he’s worth
Fill it w/performance incentives and benchmarks to enrich the deal, but you need strings attached with this dudes reputation of being a consistently inconsistent QB.
Yea, 2nd most TDs since 2023(95 in 45 of 51 games) and also 2nd most INTs since 2023(37 in 26 of 51 games). For those that are mathematically challenged, that means he’s had at least 5 games of multiple picks.
This contract negotiation is going to be a test of Mayfields’ maturation as a person and a player.
June 5th, 2026 at 3:05 pm
Clearly the Chiefs backup offensive linemen were more than competent- at least at pass protection. Otherwise the Bucs would have sacked him 20 times with our excellent defense at the time. The bottom line is it’s a team sport. Quarterbacks and edge rushers are very important, but their salaries are so high because truly excellent ones are so rare. Demand raises the cost.
Baker is tremendously gifted and talented. He’s not a middle of the road quarterback. Ask *any* scout about his passing ability. Some disingenuous people here seem to want to see him go but they never list who we are replacing him with? He was a number 1 draft pick for a reason and we should keep him without a second thought. He does need to be told we have to field a team around him or we will not be successful as a franchise and winning is the goal…he’s a big part of that but cannot do it by himself.
June 5th, 2026 at 3:05 pm
Let him prove he’s the QB he demonstrated during last season’s 2-7 3rd and 28 Epic Bowlesplosion. Or maybe he can be good for more than a fluke streak. Either way, I wouldn’t give him another dime until he proves he can do more than gag up liver bile when the games count.
June 5th, 2026 at 3:06 pm
Rod Munch Says:
June 5th, 2026 at 2:59 pm
“He’s no Tom Brady.”
Well, sure, in the sense that Tom Brady’s estimated net work was $200M when he moved to the Bucs, with $12M in annual endorsements…and Gisele’s net was another $200M.
June 5th, 2026 at 3:07 pm
net worth, not work!
June 5th, 2026 at 3:15 pm
2-7 finish down the stretch……maybe if that didn’t happen I would feel different. But it did and really good QB’s don’t let that happen. So go ahead and play this year without the extension and let’s see what happens after that. We can franchise you a couple times if needed so the organization is holding all of the cards anyway. When you get done shooting those commercials, see if you can work on phasing out the 2-7 thing……I mean, you couldn’t beat the whit flagging Dolphins with Quinn Ewers at QB? Sorry, that’s a major red flag, and one of the Joe’s is having trouble with that all of the same too….I am with you Lee!
June 5th, 2026 at 3:26 pm
Let the chocker go he can’t win a big game or a playoff game or prime time games not worth millions of dollars and fans suffering multiple Years under him and frog tb!
June 5th, 2026 at 3:27 pm
45MM 47MM Max he was a BIG part of the problem and he didn’t produce sure the offensive line wasn’t great the defense wasn’t great either but if you look over the tape he didn’t play well
June 5th, 2026 at 3:27 pm
The collapse wasn’t on Mayfield. You can use it (in error) if you want, but it likely has more to do with cash/cap management.
Dumb to make your franchise QB the scapegoat of a miserable defense, not a single starting o-linemen playing at the same time all season (and your one stalwart Center having to play Left Tackle in some of that period), your starting WR’s not playing for long stretches, and your starting RB not in the lineup…as well as the not-ready-for-prime-time OC – but that would not be a great position to hold to create the good will needed to get a deal done.
It doesn’t seem logical for the GM to say it was important to discuss extending your franchise QB, then have that QB respond told a media question that the talks are just starting and they’re currently “far apart”… somebody is low-balling or somebody else is asking for too much.
My bet is that the Bucs are low-balling, looking for a player to “help” them manage their cap, and using the results of one season. That’s pretty weak.
The market is set. Pay the man.
June 5th, 2026 at 3:29 pm
I think it comes down to Bowles more than Baker. The only reason the Rams brass can flaunt the cap and picks is because they believe in their coach. If the Glazers don’t believe in their coach, they will opt to remain cap and pick healthy until they get a coach they believe in. Baker is just cannon fodder. At the end of the season, either Bowles and Baker get re-signed, or Glazers tag Baker, find their new coach, then discuss QB, or just let him walk and let the new coach get his own QB. This means the only reason Bowles still has a job is that there is no offensive head coach they like at the moment.
June 5th, 2026 at 3:30 pm
So 6 is repeating what 13 said last year at this time. With the benefit of hindsight we know 13 had no intention of staying when he didn’t get the contract he wanted before the season began. Is 6 about to follow in his footsteps?
June 5th, 2026 at 3:32 pm
The franchise has lived behind door number 2 for a few years and different positions. I hope they’re not willing to go down that road again for a QB. If you don’t pay Mayfield who are you going to get? Who do you pull off the garbage pile next and hope he does as good as Mayfield. I just don’t think the second coming of Brady is showing up. If it falls apart trade him and get your QB next year, because if he sucks you’ll have a good pick
June 5th, 2026 at 3:40 pm
I think both Joes are right, and I HOPE (poke) both Joes are right. Reality: Dude, that 2nd half last season was “hawrid!” And I certainly HOPE we all are saying, as Baker is signing a post superbowl (fantasy bubble: MVP) contract, yep. We should have paid him.
June 5th, 2026 at 3:44 pm
If the Bucs go 9-8 and 1 and done in the playoffs this year, is Baker worth $55-60 million per year? No – and the team’s cap will be F’d for the next 2-3 years.
If the Bucs win a SB this year, then he’ll get his big contract deservedly so and even if he stinks afterwards, he’ll be remembered for the SB win.
Mayfield is a hot and cold QB- I say wait and see – it’s worth the gamble he goes somewhere else if the Bucs disappoint again in 2026.
June 5th, 2026 at 3:46 pm
The reporter asked the question and opened the door for the response. Negotiation 101….Bucs put in a lower offer, guy gets to spout to the media as the most direct way of response while letting his agent do his thing. Pay him high middle range, a huge cash component, and incentives to get to the number he’s looking for. They’re going to pay it either way, make it as cap friendly as posssible.
June 5th, 2026 at 3:46 pm
The reporter asked the question and opened the door for the response. Negotiation 101….Bucs put in a lower offer, guy gets to spout to the media as the most direct way of response while letting his agent do his thing. Pay him high middle range, a huge cash component, and incentives to get to the number he’s looking for. They’re going to pay it either way, make it as cap friendly as possible.
June 5th, 2026 at 3:51 pm
5252
Who’s gonna trade for a middling quarterback with a huge contract?
Most logical thing to do is let this season play out. If he sucks, he’s gone if he’s great he gets a great contract.
June 5th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
trent dilfer won a sb c’mon Baker trying to shake down the bucs. look at his track record in big games: the pic against the lions, fumble to jmac then the pic against the panthers, he has to make massive improvement and stop losing the big game or he will never get the bucs to the sb,
make him earn his money,
he’s not doug williams either. imagine giving him so much absurd money to play a game and then he turns to crap… maybe playing for his next contract will help him play better like it did for jamel dean. if not there’s always jalon daniels…
June 5th, 2026 at 3:58 pm
Baker knows what he’s worth if he hits FA, and I’m sure he just wants something close to it. I don’t know why that’s difficult for some in this comments section to understand. You are worth what the market will pay for your services.
June 5th, 2026 at 4:00 pm
Rob Munch. I’ve been saying the same thing bro Baker is bad in prime time games and he’s choked in every big game in big moments. It’s time for the bucs to move on we have some good young players that need a young quarterback to grow with. I’m not all the way against resigning him to be a bridge quarterback for the future starter we draft next year in the first round. But these people be saying he’s our franchise quarterback for the future at 32 years old is just crazy!!
June 5th, 2026 at 4:00 pm
he had so many opportunities to rally his team during last years slump, make some stinking plays put the team on your back -win a game like tom brady, he couldn’t get it done his prints are all over missing the playoffs and i like him but come on!! HE IS NOT TOM BRADY
June 5th, 2026 at 4:05 pm
They can let Baker walk if they want to. Just remember high draft picks don’t guarantee performance. Vinny and Jameis were #1 overall picks. Both sucked. Pick six experts. Baker may not have the results we’ve been looking for, but he’s not a loser. I’d rather roll with Baker for a few more years than start the pig in a poke search next year. Plus, I kind of like the guy.
June 5th, 2026 at 4:09 pm
Good, breaking the bank for an average-above average QB that gets hurt every year is not good business and how you get stuck in purgatory. Make him play out this year and earn an extension. Make him prove he isn’t just a Liam Cohen merchant because that guy even made Trevor Lawarence perform at a high level
June 5th, 2026 at 4:12 pm
I hate to be repetitive but I will not comment on Baker until the end of the 2026 season waiting patiently for comments from BBBB and RM!
June 5th, 2026 at 4:14 pm
Some fans forget what it is like not having a capable QB. We need to sign him and draft our future QB. If you don’t have a decent QB you have 0% chance in this league.
June 5th, 2026 at 4:17 pm
Here’s a thought. Trade Baker now while we ca get some equity out of him.
2026 is already a lost cause with the guru HC\DC in charge.
Might as well cash in on draft capitol and tank for a real QB in the draft.
Then after 2026 fire Bowles and Licht. Get better at HC and GM.
There, fixed it for you Glazers. You’re welcome.
June 5th, 2026 at 4:18 pm
I’m a fan of Bake. I wouldn’t mind a short term contract right now. Long term? After last season’s decline and fall off the mountain is a tough one to process….
Have no problem paying him top dollar in theory or in general, but asking for or doing that now after the most recent 10 game sample size and fall off seems foolish in some respects.
Also and just being honest here. Baker said TC deadline or contract talks are done and once the season starts, “it’s all ball”….
Well is it “all ball” if a Netflix show asks to pay you and have a camera crew follow you around the building all year (at every one else’s expense I might add). While the Netflix show is about football/quarterback, it’s also not just about football from his perspective either. And that was during the season. Contract talks are about football too, but also not just all about football. So sorry Bake, after doing that last season, you can’t say “it’s all ball” once the season starts anymore. You lost that card. With a money decision you made.
Having said that, I do want Bake to show out and be here long term. Here’s to hoping it all sorts itself out, Bake & the Bucs ball out and we have a long term solution at the most critical position!
June 5th, 2026 at 4:19 pm
Okie: My responses are getting blocked. I’m not really gloating……I been saying this. He’s desperate so he had to resort to negotiating with the media. He is popular with some ppl in the building and the fan base for sure. This guy has been handled with kid gloves by the team,media and fan base. Nothing different then what I’ve been saying for a year.