Jason Licht Reacts To Baker Mayfield Comments
June 12th, 2026
Jason Licht
Last Friday, Baker Mayfield talked at his youth camp about being unhappy with the Buccaneers’ contract extension offer.
It felt like Mayfield was slightly annoyed but not at a level of being pissed off. So perhaps the Bucs had just the right opening offer in their quest to find a deal Mayfield and the team can agree to.
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht gave his first public reaction to Mayfield’s comments yesterday during an interview with JP Peterson of FanStreamSports.com.
“We’ve had some discussions and we’ll continue to have some internal discussions and see, and try to bring this to closure one way or another,” Licht said of the Mayfield negotiations. “But no one wants to see Baker go anywhere, and no one’s worried about how Baker’s mindset is going to be. I’ve had conversations with him about that. He’s all about wanting to win. So he’s in a good place.”
Asked to react to Baker saying he was unhappy with the extension offer, Licht said he wasn’t surprised Mayfield shared his displeasure.
“I respect Baker,” Licht said. “He’s free to say whatever he wants to say. And that’s the way he’s wired and I have nothing but love for Baker. I’ll keep all that stuff internal; I never use the media for [talking about negotiations].”
Licht also repeated that the team wants Mayfield for the long haul and noted the franchise tag is a potential discussion that’s far, far away.
June 12th, 2026 at 7:44 am
I would not expect him to say anything else. It is June their is not much news going on football wise, so unfortunately we are getting hype and drama about pretty much nothing, but makes for interesting reading in June LOL.
June 12th, 2026 at 7:45 am
shut your mouth baker and keep things internal!!!…1 playoffs win 3 years ago and he thinks he has the right to use the media for negotiations….grow the F up baker…be a professional
GO BUCS!!!!
June 12th, 2026 at 7:49 am
The Bucs started the negotiation exactly where negotiations start: the low ball.
Baker’s playing the game, playing insulted and shooting for the moon.
Meanwhile, what is probably happening on both sides and what neither side can tip their hand over, is that they’ve both got roughly the same kind of deal in mind.
…you just can’t start the deal in the median range…
We’ve all had this negotiation before, most often when buying a car or a house.
Relax, BBQ fans, it’ll be fine.
…and if you didn’t get the BBQ reference, here’s a little light reading for you. Just know that you’re doing the team a severe disservice if your tailgate isn’t absolutely LIT with BBQ…
June 12th, 2026 at 7:50 am
Ok
IMO
This is no different than paying another big contract, the team is not going to sign the deal until just before camp starts.
Car accidents and any other freak injuries that could threaten the availability of the big contract player being able to walk onto the practice field.
50 plus million
Baker WILL get paid like a top starting NFL quarterback
June 12th, 2026 at 7:52 am
Yesterday in one of Joe’s posts, “hard to claim negotiations right now…”
Today, “Licht said of the Mayfield negotiations”
Hard to claim negotiations tho 🤷♂️ I hope no one really believed that ludicrous line
(Usually Joe is pretty dang spot on about Bucs….that was not one of those moments)
June 12th, 2026 at 7:52 am
813bucboi, he really didn’t say anything wrong.
All he said is that everyone was still trying to work it out and that he’d like it done by training camp so it isn’t a distraction.
I would also argue that he’s done more than you claim.
June 12th, 2026 at 7:56 am
“He’s free to say whatever he wants to say. And that’s the way he’s wired and I have nothing but love for Baker. I’ll keep all that stuff internal; I never use the media for [talking about negotiations].”
I don’t want to hear from Licht. I’d rather hear from Mike Greenberg, the one who actually drafts the deals Licht negotiates.
June 12th, 2026 at 8:01 am
Not a good look,
An offer was made to start the ball rolling. Baker’s camp probably responded with suggested adjustments.
Now there are “internal” discussions going on for both sides.
I get the feeling neither side is in a hurry yet.
On Baker’s side, the dollars offered is probably at or close to, acceptable. He probably wants more than 3-4 years, with half guaranteed.
On the Bucs side, they are likely ready to commit to 3 years, but are having internal discussions anout commiting to longer.
In the end I think it will be something like $52m yr, 5 years, 2 guaranteed, with incentives.
June 12th, 2026 at 8:04 am
I say give him 4 yrs at 218M with 125 guaranteed, with some incentives, low interceptions under 10, playoffs, touchdowns over 25. He is a very competent QB, not elite but very close to elite, just needs to work on his consistency, he can have great games then stink up a few.
June 12th, 2026 at 8:05 am
Sorry not sorry but I really don’t like this ACDC loving GM. This organization is growing stagnant and needs new blood.
June 12th, 2026 at 8:05 am
A couple of years ago, seems like I remember JL describing Mayfield as being a bit of a “prick” at times. It was all in good fun, but is some truth to it. Maybe Baker should be more careful with what he says. But they want “Baker to be Baker”, so they will get past that. I’m just glad that Baker stirred the pot a little bit- he’s already getting ready for some football!
June 12th, 2026 at 8:08 am
Jason Licht is walking a tight rope here.
Baker is worth it, but Todd’s presence is a factor. We know Todd wants Baker…but if he is rired or retires next year, the next coach may want to hand-pick his QB.
One solution to the that might be Robinson. If he does well enough at OC, he’ll get head coaching interviews next year (like 2 of the last 3 Bucs OCs). If Bowles is gone, Robinson might be offered his position so that Baker finally has stability in coaching.
It’s amazing that Baker has done so well with a different OC every year. That is something that needs to be addressed.
June 12th, 2026 at 8:27 am
Kenton,
Jason called Baker “a prick”
Baker’s wife did an ESPN piece for a game early on in the season last year and after choosing her words carefully described him as “not for everyone”
Hahaha
June 12th, 2026 at 8:27 am
Yeah, Baker doesn’t deserve to be paid anything at all right now. Let him play out the season. If you make the playoffs and win a game or two, then give him that big contract. Otherwise, franchise tag him and possibly even draft his replacement next year.
June 12th, 2026 at 8:47 am
TEST
June 12th, 2026 at 9:00 am
“I never use the media for [talking about negotiations].”
You just did.
And this is a bunch of nice words from a clearly pissed off man.
And I love all of the rumors out there like “maybe Cleveland will re-sign him.” No. That’s just stupid.
The best contract he will get is from Tampa.
He’s not going to get $60m. IDGAF what Jordan Love or any other QB got.
This is Baker’s last chance for a multi-year big contract with upfront money. If he blows it, he will get less elsewhere and have to uproot his family.
Every offseason has to have some drama.
June 12th, 2026 at 9:12 am
If you like drama, wait until next year. JL has the cap maxed out with being forced to sign Baker, all the dead cap and the resigning of all our own free agents – many of whom will have to be let go. Hopefully, we can retain Mauch and Vea, but it’s questionable, and grim after that. It wouldn’t surprise me to see this GM bolt and leave the mess to someone else.