Jason Licht Talks Baker Mayfield “Delicate Balance”
June 6th, 2026
“Look, Mr. Glazer, Baker will come around. His agent went limp on us two years ago.”
The Buccaneers showed Baker Mayfield the money. He held his nose.
Mayfield should at least be happy to be wanted long-term by the Buccaneers. That was the big news this week. The team is trying to sign him to a contract extension that is surely a lot bigger than the three-year, $100 million deal Mayfield will wrap up after the 2026 season.
Is Mayfield’s health a consideration for the Bucs? That’s unclear, but consider the comments of Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht during his sitdown this week with Ira Kaufman, the venerable JoeBucsFan.com columnist.
Ira Kaufman: Did Baker Mayfield try to do too much during the 2-7 tailspin [last year]?
Jason Licht: The way he’s wired, he’ll always try to put everything on him. Given the things he was battling through, it was a tough second half of the year.
Kaufman: Will you to try to contain his scrambling instincts to minimize the hits Mayfield endures?
Licht: That’s a tough one. There’s been a lot of ‘No, no no … way to go’ when Baker takes off. He’s a playmaker. That’s the way he’s built. Yes, it’s a delicate balance.
Joe has to think Mayfield’s play style and injury history are part of the equation for Mayfield’s contract extension. Bucs fans — and Mayfield — love his football DNA. That genetic blueprint might cost him a handful of millions.
June 6th, 2026 at 2:56 pm
With this contract, Baker Mayfield will be set for life. Especially with the addition of the previous one. So will his kids. And his kids’s kids. And his kids’s kids’s kids. So he probably shouldn’t worry too much about YAV.
June 6th, 2026 at 3:01 pm
if he’s snubbing his nose at 45-48 for 4, oh well.
June 6th, 2026 at 3:05 pm
Baker wants guarantees, likely the Bucs want contract outs if injury occurs. I
Imagine the money is right, just not the details
June 6th, 2026 at 3:09 pm
The word on the street is the Bucs put forth an offer that was above 50 mil per. If that be true Baker is playing a dangerous game to snub that kind of money.
June 6th, 2026 at 3:15 pm
This should not be a problem!
Most teams are desperate to find a Mayfield quality quarterback.
There is no way weaseling out of paying him the market value of a established quarterback
50 million dollars a year is his bracket.
June 6th, 2026 at 3:22 pm
When you look at the qb’s right under dak 60, they all come in around 52, up and below 60. I don’t think Baker can complain too much anything around 52 and up. That is the market. However, you live and die by the sword. I don’t think he can change the way he plays, you ruin the player. Licht said it, no ,no Baker, go go Baker. You can ding him for injury unless you flat tell him no making your own plays. You either want the player the way he plays or you don’t. Pretty simple really. My guess he wants more than 1 to 2 years which the Bucs, Licht love to offer. Ask ME he will tell you
June 6th, 2026 at 3:22 pm
Show Mayfield the game film from his 2-7 finish.
June 6th, 2026 at 3:23 pm
Can’t ding him , sorry
June 6th, 2026 at 3:24 pm
So would the experts that know all about this because they have been in the room tell us what the offer was? What kind of money wAs offered? For how long? All the details of the contract they’re offering. I’m sure they’re not trying to make him the total “Future QB” for 5 or more years .
Oh wait only the actual people present would know unless it was leaked. So far I haven’t seen or heard it.
June 6th, 2026 at 3:30 pm
The word on the street where exactly? I doubt Licht or Baker’s agent leaked it.
June 6th, 2026 at 3:36 pm
“Joe has to think Mayfield’s play style and injury history are part of the equation for Mayfield’s contract extension.”
I agree.
But would also add – play-off wins and 4th quarter INTs are also part of the equation.
I believe Mayfield is capable of being a top 10 QB and I hope he has a strong comeback year in 2026.
However if he struggles again it might be his last in Tampa…
The only issue I have with letting Baker walk is – Who do we replace him with?
June 6th, 2026 at 3:40 pm
“That genetic blueprint might cost him a handful of millions.”
It’s not costing Lamar Jackson. In any case, $50M/yr for 4 yrs seems fair for both sides.
June 6th, 2026 at 3:48 pm
Buccaneers had Baker on the cheap…
Play HARDBALL Baker!
June 6th, 2026 at 3:55 pm
Mestemaker next draft….love ya Baker but slow your roll a little bro if youre trying for too much….theres others to pay too. If you’re gonna be that way then play out this year and bye.
June 6th, 2026 at 4:13 pm
Oh boy…. This is your first year rooting for a Tampa bay team huh ?(Bye Baler Bye Bowles)
June 6th, 2026 at 4:13 pm
I hope he holds out!
June 6th, 2026 at 4:13 pm
i dont read novels bye bye
June 6th, 2026 at 4:27 pm
Baker saying they were “way off” regarding contract terms sounds to me like a negotiating tactic…
There’s no way they are “way off” on overall #s.
Baker is making $40M this year. A new deal necessitates a raise of course – and it seems to me the Bucs (who say they want Mayfield here long term) would offer Baker at least $48-$50M per on a 3 year extension…
$144M… $150M…. $165M…. Its all pretty much the same – which is a LOT of money!
The only thing that the 2 sides could plausibly be “way off” on is guaranteed $.
Baker probably wants $100+M guaranteed with the extension – and the Bucs are offering more like $75M in guarantees. Bucs would like a potential out for 2028 and Baker wants to be fully guaranteed through 2028….
Thats my take on what Baker said most recently. He was basically saying what his agent told him to say in that instance….
June 6th, 2026 at 4:53 pm
Just because Dak, and Love are getting paid more than they’re worth, doesn’t mean the Bucs have to do the same for Baker. He’s getting his 50 this season, he’d get another 50 if they tag him in 27. Cry me a river.
June 6th, 2026 at 4:54 pm
Actually yeah. Season ticket holder since 1995 fool
June 6th, 2026 at 5:12 pm
@ Pick
I agree.
Those numbers don’t seem too unreasonable.
Seattle proved you can win a SB without overpaying a mediocre QB…
June 6th, 2026 at 5:18 pm
BBBBSays: TLDR. Seriously?
June 6th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
A couple of thoughts…
This is the same old song and dance from the front office that they did for Evans.
If the Bucs wanted to keep Evans as a buc for life they would have signed him to a five year deal instead of a two year deal back a couple of years ago. If they wanted Baker, they’ll sign him – period.
Do you think another QB would have faired better with a new OC each of the last 3 years? And with absolutely zero offensive line depth (especially at guard) given the injuries last year? Ehhhh No.
Given all the defensive free agent signees that are over 30 (with the exception of Rozeboom) on 1 year or 2 year deals – looks like they are preparing for a revamp with a new HC should Bowles fail to right the ship – I just don’t see them signing Baker to a long term deal if they’re preparing for a new HC.
And Finally, maybe Baker doesn’t want a long term deal given annual changes to OC’s and Bowles god awful defense. So there’s that.
June 6th, 2026 at 5:42 pm
Baker would be signed the day we let him go.
Bowles would be unemployed if we let him go.
Licht? 50/50 he would be hired as a GM somewhere. There aren’t any Brady’s lining up to play for SF…errr…Tampa.
-David
June 6th, 2026 at 5:57 pm
The amount of money in pro sports just seems insane to me, on all sides. That’s partly why I watched mostly college ball instead of the NFL for years. Then we got NIL and I figured I might as well watch the top pro league instead of the minors. That said, I hope the Bucs and Baker find a middle ground that works reasonably well for both sides.
June 6th, 2026 at 6:18 pm
I’m kind of hoping it gets put off until next off-season, by which time Stafford will likely retire
June 6th, 2026 at 6:27 pm
Not to mention that both of his playoff games ended with interceptions. Isn’t he 0-2 with us in the playoffs?
June 6th, 2026 at 6:41 pm
ByeBye is intoxicated
June 6th, 2026 at 6:52 pm
Nice. Way to go. Let’s offend bakers agent unnecessarily….
June 6th, 2026 at 7:02 pm
Brady would’ve accepted the offer instead of seeking more money, so we can continue signing guys around him to increase our chances of success.
C’mon, Baker! Be like Brady.
June 6th, 2026 at 7:03 pm
Everyone thinks it’s the money. It could be the number of years.
If it isn’t done by the end of camp, he’ll play the year and get it done after the season. The Bucs are the first team to treat him loyally…he doesn’t want to go anywhere.
So he likely wants 4-5 years.
June 6th, 2026 at 7:07 pm
Erik with Clean Athletics™ Says:
“Brady would’ve accepted the offer instead of seeking more money, so we can continue signing guys around him to increase our chances of success.”
I think Baker is like that. That’s why I don’t think money is the issue
Consider this: If Bowles is on the hot seat, then Baker knows a new head coach might want a different QB. So I think he wants a certain number of years (4-5) with at least half guaranteed.
June 6th, 2026 at 7:10 pm
Dak makes $60 million, Tua makes $53 million. Those QB’s are definitely overpaid. I could see a 4yr $45 to $47 per year? 2yrs from now $47 per year will seem.like a deal.
June 6th, 2026 at 7:15 pm
There is never a winner when teams or players use media to reveal and debate conditions! It disrupts and hinders the development of team chemistry and projects one or both sides in a negative way. Like a shark chasing a blood trail in Tampa Bay, this article has put the HATERS into a feeding the post with I told you so and about time to end his stay in Tampa. On the other side, the Baker Boys are seeking words to neutralize the negative and enhance the positive. As for me, I don’t gamble with other folks money, but would set a standard for Baker to achieve to be signed a three year contract at the end of this season.
June 6th, 2026 at 7:17 pm
JustVisiting Says:
“The amount of money in pro sports just seems insane to me, on all sides. That’s partly why I watched mostly college ball instead of the NFL for years. ”
See, I don’t get that thought process. I don’t refuse to watch a movie because the actors get paid a lot. I watch for the entertainment.
Same with football. I don’t care watch the players make…if it’s a good product, I’m going to watch it.
I don’t enjoy college ball at all so I don’t watch it…but I love high school football, oddly enough.
As much as I prefer the Bucs stomp opponents, the best, most exciting games are the close games.
I don’t even care about the rest of the NFL. I’m a Bucs fan. I mean, I care enough about division rivals to hope they do badly. But that’s it.
June 6th, 2026 at 7:24 pm
If Bucs don’t make the playoffs Todd is finished either by retirement or fired. That also means a possible shake down with B.A. and Jason. The new guy(s) will want to draft a QB. Have Mayfield for a year until they can get a look at the rookie to figure out what direction is best. Mayfield don’t want to be caught up in that next year hence way off is years more so than millions. Best case see if he can lead a deep run and not get the staff fired. The franchise tag is your friend. Baker served his purpose in Tampa. He was brought in and told “We don’t want you to be Tom Brady, we want you to be yourself”.
June 6th, 2026 at 7:32 pm
If they extend him or restructure they could take this years cap hit and pay it out in signing bonus. Maybe they could pick up some good depth?
June 6th, 2026 at 7:41 pm
I hope this don’t go of the way Doug Williams did. Save the nickel ruin the team.
Time for ownership to man up.
June 6th, 2026 at 7:46 pm
4 year , 50 Million per,,,, it will get done ,, JL not willing to roll he dice on Brisset , Gino, Jimmy G, Mac jones , Winston,,,, BM 2-3 playoff record certainly not awesome but Lamar is 3-5,, Josh Allen is 8-7, Daks is 2-5,, Justin Herbert 0-3,, Mahomes 17-4,, Jordan Love 1-3,,,Trevor L 1-2,,, Stafford 7-6,,, Goff 5-5,, Rodgers 12-11,,, and Retired TB12 35-13,,, what’s the point ,, the point is unless your TB12 or Mahomes , the playoffs are tough to win in!
June 6th, 2026 at 7:52 pm
Bonzai … ‘I think he wants a certain number of years (4-5) with at least half guaranteed.’
I agree with you Bonzai; it’s not all about the money (although THAT aspect has to be ‘reasonable’). Baker (like all players) IMO wants SECURITY, and that’s what guaranteed years provide.
Do I blame him? Heck no; we ALL want more (and better) security in our lives. And IF you’re good enough, SOMEONE will accommodate him (might even be the NY Jets). I get the feeling that Baker loves being a Buc, BUT … this next contract comes at a critical juncture in his career. Unfortunately, the same applies to the Bucs … we’re also at a critical juncture.
A mammoth GUARANTEED contract could wreck a team for years IMO. Look at what happened when Ryan Jensen got hurt at the very start of his new contract (signed in Mar 2022). The 3-year, $39 million contract extension included $23 million guaranteed upon signing. However, after he suffered a severe knee injury at the start of training camp in July 2022, his on-field participation was limited to a single game in the 2022 playoffs.
Project that on a much grander scale to someone like Baker. Say $50 mil a year for 5 years with 3 years guaranteed. Then project that Baker gets hurt just like Jensen did (before he plays Game 1 under his new contract, and never plays again). Bucs could be out $150 mil in cash. The salary CAP this year was $301.2 mil per team, so you’re talking about HALF of your salary CAP … for ONE player who in that scenario won’t help us one iota. That’s a monstrous risk on the Bucs part, even if we ultimately spread the risk over several years.
June 6th, 2026 at 8:42 pm
Delicate is exactly how I would describe the play of Baker Mayfield when the game is on the line.
He’s not worth half the money he’s demanding.
1-2 in the playoffs and a .500 record overall.
We can do better than mediocre.
June 6th, 2026 at 8:55 pm
he’s only one guy… that’s obscene money. we’ll be fine without him if he goes, make him play out his contract, earn his money like all of us
June 6th, 2026 at 9:09 pm
A big reason why the Bucs sucked is due to Baker sucking. In his defense, he plays for Todd Bowles, the doublecoach who could’ve taken the 2023 Kansas City Chiefs to a 4-13 record.
Mike Evans knows this. So does Baker, and will be why he’s not going to take a team friendly deal.
June 6th, 2026 at 9:26 pm
Crybabies find another team!
June 6th, 2026 at 11:13 pm
If Baker ever comes available there would be a line out the door, around the corner, and down the street to sign him.
DON’T let him become available.
June 6th, 2026 at 11:14 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
June 6th, 2026 at 7:17 pm
“I don’t get that thought process.”
Yeah, I’m not totally clear on it, myself. I guess I think of sports as (hopefully) being about the love of the game, in a way I don’t for acting, etc. Maybe because I’ve never acted. Go, Bucs!
June 6th, 2026 at 11:22 pm
You guys are funny ,,, you’ll be so happy when Baker is gone and Bucs are 4-13 which they would have been last year if it wasn’t for Baker ,,, the team was the worst last year , Big Mike Sucked,, CG sucked, Bucky sucked, Defense was way worse then sucked , special teams was worse than the Defense ,, OLine at the U was better ,,, ohhhh and then there was Grizzzzzzz , and Bowles didn’t help out the cause . Baker could have done like Brady and thrown into the ground every time he felt pressure but he would have grounded about 2000 balls cause there was no protection ,,, Sad you guys making Baker the scapegoat,, a guy that gives us 1000% every snap
June 6th, 2026 at 11:47 pm
Anyone that types novels in here thinks very highly of themselves.
June 6th, 2026 at 11:50 pm
Lightningvinny1,
You are spot on!!!!!! I would say though in general it was more a matter of being injured/absent than it was sucking for most of those you mentioned.
June 7th, 2026 at 12:16 am
ByeBye,
“if one of ou cult memebers come wrong i will not hesitate to bring out that belt!“
Narcissist much?
Geeze. Your tone is so off-putting.
Makes me think, “What a d-ck!”
Okay, back to your wall of words. Hurry and write something condescending back to me. Go on. Carry on. Make it a good one.
June 7th, 2026 at 12:19 am
Go back and read the Athletic article. Baker is expecting market resetting money and a long term deal. At 50m he’ll again be one of the worse paid quarterbacks in two years. He’s no doubt starting at 65/5, and maybe Licht is at 50/3 and yes, that is far apart.
Just imagine what the Jets or Cards would give him…
June 7th, 2026 at 12:52 am
BBB, ive been here a lot longer than your drama queen low iq azz….but i do have a life outside of here unlike you, so thats the only time im not “here”. If you ever want to meet, we’ll see who is soft…please say lets go!
June 7th, 2026 at 12:56 am
Buc1987, i think thats the guy who used to post here all the time like this, just under a new name because he got banned, bucreality or something like that.
June 7th, 2026 at 3:19 am
Injuries and the wrong side of 30…ok 52/4. Gotta have enough for others too…3rd and 28, never forget! Gotta pay some D guys and def GET ANOTHER CORNER in here!
June 7th, 2026 at 4:31 am
imo let him play out his contract, if we miss the playoffs let our new hc decide if they want him or not. If we make the playoff tag him and work on a long term contract. Seems fair, justify the price and pay him what he deserves.
June 7th, 2026 at 5:13 am
BBB, you’re in fl, im in sc, so meet half way in ga, 85…time and place your turn lil girl
June 7th, 2026 at 5:21 am
and lets do this on a weekend…plan your vacation time off from work around it too, you’re gonna need it….hope you have good insurance!
June 7th, 2026 at 5:36 am
If anyone wants to witness, join up! Pull your phones out and record…it will be a rest area i guess…. Nothing going on now but nba and nhl….lets get some bare knuckle and grappling going….i hope he’s young, thats the only advantage he will have lol.
June 7th, 2026 at 5:38 am
I say give him 55m for 5 years,he’s earned it.Bye Bye
June 7th, 2026 at 5:46 am
Just pay him, he’s on par with Jared Goff, and better than Purdy – $53m to $55m is the market.
June 7th, 2026 at 8:19 am
There are several people that write doctoral dissertations for posts. And ususally ALOT of them on one subject.
I can tell they never wrote for any publications. I learned early on in my writing career not to do this when my editor kept returning my articles and saying “Cut it down”.
Honestly, I buypass these lengthy comments. They are pretty much always “stream of consciousness” and repetitive. I’m sure I’m not the only one.
Another hot tip – break up your posts with spacing and punctuation. I’m not saying your thoughts are not worthwhile, but as they are, the stuff is just not readable.
June 7th, 2026 at 8:21 am
Oh – and with Baker, just pay him. He is better than anyone else in our division. And a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
June 7th, 2026 at 9:15 am
If you think about it, a bird in the hand is worth way more than 2 in the bush.
Baker is the second best QB the Bucs have ever had. Give him protection and *watch*. Last season was a mess due to the O-line. If you want a winning football team sign him now. If you don’t, then I know I will be incredibly disappointed in this team.
June 7th, 2026 at 9:16 am
If we’re not going to pay Baker, we need to trade him now. At least get some picks. His salary is reasonable to a trade partner and he definitely will bring some high picks in return. There are at least a few teams needing a starting QB to contend this year. Trading Baker would set us back a year or so until we can get a starter, but we might be able to get a Mac Jones type from someone as a bridge. Holding out on Baker is bad management. Lame ducks rarely succeed. Surely, there is a better way. All that will be talked about all season will be Baker’s status. This will not end well. Sign him or trade him while you can.
June 7th, 2026 at 10:50 am
bbb, ok yoooou goooot meeeee….by 3 inches and 10 years younger, lol. Its all good…pretend im 5’1 and 120…gym 4 days a week, brazilian jiu jitsu once a week….constant heavy lifting at my job, aikido once a month, been lacking lately so, every two months with my best friend who is a sensei….its all good, 210lbs, not well put together in my book, but good enough to get me through. Oh, i drive a beat up old truck….but gets me from point a to point b very reliably….offer still stands 6’5!
June 7th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
Listen, if our Oline can remain healthy, so should Baker (see 2024 under Liam’s offense).
Our line was held together with a shoestring and hope last year, and it exposed an incredible lack of depth, hopefully they have learned from that lesson. That line was so porous, any QB would have gotten injured to all hell, a QB needs a good line to be successful and remain upright, Feeney and Jordan don’t do that for you (case and point, Jordan is still unemployed currently, and Feeney is only employed because we kept him, nobody is foaming at the mouth to get him).