Buccaneers Showed Baker Mayfield The Money
June 5th, 2026
Big news today in a way many fans are not thinking.
Yes, Baker Mayfield revealed to local scribes that he and the Bucs “are not anywhere close” when it comes to the terms of a contract extension that would add years to Mayfield’s deal expiring after the 2026 season.
But the focus, Joe believes, should not be on the numbers Mayfield obviously doesn’t like. It should be on that the Bucs are willing to commit to Mayfield long term.
While Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht has said publicly he’s interested in keeping Mayfield for several more years, it’s quite another thing to enter contract negotiations, which Mayfield confirmed have taken place.
Per Joe’s private conversations, It’s very safe to say that the Bucs did not deliver Mayfield an insulting offer. They love the guy and want him — but they’re also interested in a deal that’s in the best interests of both sides, as they should be.
In the Bucs’ back pocket is the franchise tag, projected to be $50 million for quarterbacks in 2027. Negotiations surely have that number in mind.
Mayfield could cry about being tagged, if it came to that. But if he did, there would be a long line of Bucs fans turning on Mayfield for moaning about having to play for $50 freaking million.
No team wants to deal with that kind of salary cap charge, but it still only would represent about 16 or 17 percent of the cap.
As Joe has written, there’s no reason to expect Mayfield to be gone in 2027. However, there was no reason for Mike Evans to want to leave with a fat contract on the table from an organization that worshipped him.
June 5th, 2026 at 5:33 pm
“However, there was no reason for Mike Evans to want to leave with a fat contract on the table from an organization that worshipped him.”
False. There were two glaring reasons. Bowles and Baker.
Stop sugar coating it and start telling the truth. You can’t handle the truth! At some point, a real truth with emerge.–Joe
Mike saw an incapable HC\DC and a mid at best QB.
Now he has a top flight HC and an experienced proven QB in Purdy.
June 5th, 2026 at 5:38 pm
Let’s see how he plays
June 5th, 2026 at 5:38 pm
It’s a gamble, but I say wait. Yes, if we win a Superbowl this year, his price will skyrocket…but if that’s the case, he’d be worth the money.
And if we have a bad year? Time to draft a better option next year.
June 5th, 2026 at 5:39 pm
The pressure will be too much for baker and he’ll choke….just like he did in DEC….
I expect him to be gone in 2027 if we don’t win a playoff game this year
Great job Bucs!!!!!!…hold steady…make him earn it
GO BUCS
June 5th, 2026 at 5:39 pm
I expect the Bucs to slow play this contract. If we miss the playoffs then it’s time to reboot.
June 5th, 2026 at 5:45 pm
I’m willing to bet that it’s about the guaranteed years.
As long as Licht protects the franchise by providing flexibility then this should get done before training camp.
But if he wants a ton of guaranteed years Jason needs to walk away and let the season play out.
June 5th, 2026 at 5:46 pm
If he play lights out this season then give him an extension. But I won’t hold my breath. Baker will never take us or anyone else to the Super bowl.
June 5th, 2026 at 5:47 pm
Let him play out his contract, see how the year goes and then talk with the franchise tag in their back pocket.
I’m not sold on Mayfield and I dont think alot of the league is either.
June 5th, 2026 at 6:03 pm
Wow we’re losing a whole bunch of them. Evans Lavonte White & now who knows about Baker after this & I think Vita is a FA next year, too! Might be wrong.
June 5th, 2026 at 6:06 pm
This article is just spot FN on. Nothing to add. To the Joe that wrote this. Well done and succinct and spot on!
June 5th, 2026 at 6:06 pm
Well if Baker goes WE CAN BRING TOM BACK ALONG WITH GRONKOWSKI!😃
June 5th, 2026 at 6:07 pm
His interceptions and fumbles cost us games.
He needs to prove himself again this year.
Plus, his body is beat up.
He needs to have a big year. Ànd stay healthy.
Bowles and Baker could both be gone after this season if we suck again.
June 5th, 2026 at 6:07 pm
I swear this page has the most dedicated trolls
June 5th, 2026 at 6:16 pm
I know he was playing hurt… but Baker did not play well enough at the end of the year to demand a long term deal. He’s streaky, but hes talented. He deserves a two or three year deal at no more than 40m
June 5th, 2026 at 6:19 pm
Take your soft ass somewhere else then. You guys complain because post things you don’t want to hear. Anyone who is not a devout follower of this limited, undersized, journeyman is a idiot and needs to be tarred and feathered. Lol, these ppl say anyone who doesn’t agree with me is a moron..OK,Pharoh. Feed us to the Lions. Off with our heads. He sucks ! He’s been in the league forever. Nobody else wants him. He leaves this roster and this division he will get exposed for the backup he is. The Stadium is empty and quiet. We have no hope really. For 2 decades I’ve been a season ticket holder and you ppl are saying this is the best we can do? We cannot even lol to upgrade the position? It’s Baker until he he decides to retire? That’s BS..Kenton and the cult want hi extended and here be ause they know the next is waiting. The loner he stays here the more bites of the apple he gets..
June 5th, 2026 at 6:29 pm
Joe Says : But the focus, Joe believes, should not be on the numbers Mayfield obviously doesn’t like. It should be on that the Bucs are willing to commit to Mayfield long term.
^^^^^
Like I said months ago, Baker wants to feel like he “is the man” and a 4 year deal would do that but the Bucs and their coaching situation are out of sync with a 4 year deal and I believe the owners would rather keep their cash and draft a much less expensive option for the near term. A first round pick QB and a renovated RayJay along with a new head coach is an option I am sure is being considered.
I may be wrong but get ready for Aaron Rodgers folks.
June 5th, 2026 at 6:31 pm
I feel like this was click bait 🤣
June 5th, 2026 at 6:32 pm
You dopes forget what it was like when we had QB s like Winston and the crew that preceded him. Run off Baker and then see again the panic and antics that brought us the likes of Jack Thompson, the throwing Samoan. The days of Brady are over. We were lucky to have him and lucky to have Baker as well. You guys sound like a bunch of trolls. That’s my role!
June 5th, 2026 at 6:33 pm
He’s going to play this season without an extension and move on next season. He might get one more chance to start for another team thats if he has a decent season this year but he won’t. He’ll play the way he always does but worse because he’ll press and try to win every game and make more mistakes. Baker is a bad investment and all 32 teams think so.
June 5th, 2026 at 6:37 pm
Joe Says; They love the guy and want him — but they’re also interested in a deal that’s in the best interests of both sides, as they should be.
^^^^^
As I said weeks ago that is one reason why I believe they would grant a trade request. Jason could spin that in a positive way and throw lots of love toward Baker and his family.
June 5th, 2026 at 6:55 pm
Purdy is not all that much better than baker he is in a right scheme that fits him one seen baker do good things to in the right scheme if purdy played for any other team he would be 13-22 at best
June 5th, 2026 at 7:01 pm
Still Coconut Doughnut…I concur.
June 5th, 2026 at 7:02 pm
BucsfaninOregon Says:
You guys sound like a bunch of trolls.
=======================================
Some of them clearly are!
In 2023, Baker was a Top Ten QB, and the following year (2024), he was Top Five. (3rd in the NFL in passing yards, tied for 2nd in TD passes, 3rd in completion percentage, 4th in passer rating, tied for 2nd in completions).
Last season, Baker was great to start the season and was spoken about as an MVP candidate. He didn’t play well after he and most of the o-line were injured. If we had a decent backup QB, the season might have turned out differently. I love Jason Licht as GM, but given the way Baker plays as QB, Licht needed to have a backup QB they could put in if Baker got injured.
June 5th, 2026 at 7:02 pm
People here are so delusional. There aren’t more than five QBs in the league right now that are massive improvements over Baker. But sure, convince yourselves that you’re going to find the super rare diamond in the rough in next years draft. You know, with the 5th or sixth QB taken. The Bucs have such a stellar record drafting QBs.
June 5th, 2026 at 7:02 pm
Baker the best QB we have had besides the GOAT Tom Brady. I have think last year he was hurt and he was pressing and trying to do to much because of all the other injuries. At least with Baker you know he wants to win and will do anything to win. You can’t say that with a lot of these guys that just want to be there to get a check.