Pat Donovan “Surprised” To Hear Baker Mayfield Say He Could Play Elsewhere
June 30th, 2026
Did Baker Mayfield issue an ultimatum?
It never fails to surprise Joe how two people can hear the exact same soundbyte and come to two different conclusions.
The following is in no way a knock at good guys Pat Donovan and Aaron Jacobson of WDAE-AM 620/WDAE-FM 95.7. The co-hosts of the “Pat and Aaron Show” heard weekday mornings.
Both Donovan and Jacobson listened to Baker Mayfield’s comments concerning his contract negotiations from his youth football camp in Oklahoma on Saturday.
Joe felt Mayfield was positive about his future with the Bucs. Maybe optimistic. Mayfield knows the Bucs want him to stay and that he wants to stay, adding it was just a matter of finding the “middle ground.”
Mayfield lauded the Bucs for giving him the resources to win and acknowledged the Bucs have always been in his corner, whereas other NFL teams he played for weren’t.
“I would love to be there,” Mayfield said of staying with the Bucs. “I think both sides want to get it done. It’s a matter of finding that middle ground and what makes both sides happy.”
And, Mayfield added, he and his family plan to make Tampa their forever home.
That’s good, right? But Mayfield also added, almost a throwaway line, “Regardless of what happens, I think we will spend our offseasons [in Tampa].”
That got Donovan squirming in his seat.
“I mean, that is basically saying, like, ‘Yeah, I could go somewhere else,'” Donovan said. “I’m very much surprised to hear Baker say that.
“I don’t want to overblow it, but I do think it’s a significant comment.”
Well, as Joe typed, it was a throwaway line. Yes, with any negotiations, there’s always a chance both parties may say, “Aw, skip it!” and Mayfield could bolt the Bucs. But Joe doesn’t see that happening at all. The Bucs quarterback has made it clear he wants to stay. Meanwhile, the Bucs, from Team Glazer all the way down, have made it clear they want Mayfield.
Mayfield’s words Saturday, again, seemed quite positive. “It’s a matter of finding that middle ground.” That hardly sounds to Joe like both sides are at odds, unwilling to budge.
Again, Joe is confident after hearing Bucs types both on and off the record, that somehow, some way, Mayfield will be your Bucs quarterback in 2027.
@957wdae Baker Mayfield is amidst contract negotiations with the Bucs, but he made comments over the weekend at his kids camp that caught Pat off guard! Do you think he’ll get his long term deal in Tampa done? 🧐 🏈 @PatDonovanRadio @Aaron Jacobson @PatandAaron ♬ original sound – 957wdae
June 30th, 2026 at 12:09 am
What would make me squirm is signing a guy to a huge new deal after he was so terrible over the final 11-games that he got the entire offensive staff fired. Just makes zero sense when he’s already under contract and you can simply play out the contract and then make a deal based on how he performs. Is he the guy who had a career year in 2025 (and went 0-5 in primetime and playoff games), or is he the guy who last year collapsed under pressure, losing 4-games in a row when everything was on the line?
He’s already got a deal for this year, the Bucs can simply play it out and see what happens, then if he performs, wins some meaningful games, then you give him the monster deal. If that happens, then it means the Bucs were winning, and I’d be very happy about that.
My concern is signing Baker to a huge deal, and you got the pumpkin that managed to be on 4-teams in a year – and singlehandedly cost the Bucs the playoffs last year – and that handicapables your team for the next half-decade.
Wait, see what Baker you get, then make a deal – and if it cost you an extra $3-4M a year, I’m fine with that.
June 30th, 2026 at 12:34 am
Don’t overthink it. Pay the man and be in contention for the next several years with a QB that is tough to defend who his teammates love to play for.
June 30th, 2026 at 1:00 am
I agree with Rod here. No reason to rush and if he balls out and the team has a deep playoff run or wins the Super Bowl then we pay more.
June 30th, 2026 at 1:09 am
🚨
Everyone RELAX! Life is GOOD!
Nothing in that quote suggests Baker is asking out or expects to leave the Buccaneers. If anything, saying “Tampa is our forever home” is the biggest takeaway. That’s a stronger statement of commitment than one throwaway phrase is of some imaginary exit plan.
If contract talks were truly going sideways, you wouldn’t hear him voluntarily calling Tampa his family’s forever home. This is the NFL players know nothing is guaranteed. “Regardless of what happens” simply means life and football are unpredictable, not that he’s halfway out the door.
Now for my prediction… and you heard it here first, Joe:
🏈 4,650 passing yards
🔥 40 TDs
🎯 10 INTs
💯 70% completion percentage
With this arsenal of weapons and Zac Robinson calling the offense, Baker is about to remind the league why Tampa believed in him.
LFG!! 🔥
#ExtendBake 💰
#RingMe 💍
June 30th, 2026 at 3:42 am
I agree with Rod please let this guy play out the rest of his contract if he does well then pay the man if he spirals out like usual, kick his ass to the curb
June 30th, 2026 at 3:58 am
Don’t see an issue with both camps finding a middle ground. The fact Baker said that carries far more weight than the closing comment at the end imo. Having said that though, don’t feel it would be the end of the world if Baker moved on & we went rookie QB next year when Robinson takes over as HC. Don’t feel Zac has the confidence and “it” factor yet that Coen did, but can see him growing into the leadership role over the first couple of seasons. Obv having Baker here would help him make the transition more smoothly, but still think he could keep us rolling with a rookie QB as well. Especially when he keeps Whitmer as his OC.
June 30th, 2026 at 4:40 am
Joe says:
Well, as Joe typed before, he thought it was a throwaway line.
————————————————————————————
There are no “throwaway” lines when it comes to professional athletes. They know beforehand that they are going to be interviewed and they know beforehand what they want to say. In all reality, their comments are probably collaborated with agents.
SO, to say that this is a throw away statement is just trying to mollify a statement by Baker threatening to go to another team.
Baker is 28-26 with the Bucs yet many think he’s a franchise QB. At 28-26 you think you have leverage to threaten to leave. Its almost comical
June 30th, 2026 at 4:48 am
BoriMex 813 Says:
June 30th, 2026 at 1:09 am
Now for my prediction… and you heard it here first, Joe:
🏈 4,650 passing yards
🔥 40 TDs
🎯 10 INTs
💯 70% completion percentage
—————————————————————————————–
If these are Baker’s stats, we will be a losing team out of the playoffs. Baker is NOT the answer to out success. Our success will depend on a good defense, a good running game and timely plays from the quarterback position. If we are to be successful, Baker needs to assume a Brad Johnson-like role. Not Brady, not Mahommes, Johnson or Garcia. If he comes out thinking and playing like he’s the Buc’s savior, we lose!
June 30th, 2026 at 4:50 am
If he realizes his limitations and team strengths he will be a great franchise quarterback
June 30th, 2026 at 5:22 am
Wonder why our owners are so cheap?
June 30th, 2026 at 5:22 am
I have to laugh at the people posting here, that we should somehow play hard ball with Mayfield.
We have no other possible option to start at Qb. There aren’t any starting QQs wandering around waiting for jobs.
The minute Mayfield walks out the Door- the Bucs are bottom of the division, until they either sign a starter(unlikely), or we invest 5 years getting a Rookie up to speed.
Years until we are fighting for the playoffs.
But I still believe Mayfield has every intention of leaving- as soon as possible.
Last year was nauseating to any talented player fighting to win. Watching the defense just give up st the end of every game drove Mike away. It has driven Mayfield away too.
I don’t blame him. I wouldn’t want to play with that team either.
June 30th, 2026 at 5:32 am
I might grow a beard, but I never will. Bottom line, with the franchise tag, Baker ain’t going nowhere unless the Bucs want him gone. I know Joe is going to beat this story like a dead horse, but the fact is he’s under contract now, and he can be franchised later. But go ahead, keep kicking that pony.
June 30th, 2026 at 6:07 am
This isn’t the mindset of a professional athlete unless that athlete happens to be extremely intelligent like Tom Brady. Most are Meatheads. Championships assure you that you will be remembered. Oh, there’s a few like Dan Marino that get remembered anyway, but Baker isnt quite that memorable. No offense intended. Brady wasn’t quite that “special” in his earlier days either. He was just on a Superbowl worthy team. Even a bum like Trent Dilfer is remembered as a Superbowl champion, but not for his stellar play. Make no mistake: insane money has its advantages. The trouble is that if you pay your quarterback 15 or 20% of your salary cap there’s not enough money left to have a true championship team around you. Brady knew that. He was well paid, but he left some for others. He has 7 Superbowl rings. How many does Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson have? Tom Bread is practically immortal. So is Joe Montana. So is Terry Bradshaw. Who is Jim Kelly? Dan Marino is an anomaly, I suppose. Yeah, Bowles is not exactly Don Shula, but he is reaching the end of his career
June 30th, 2026 at 6:41 am
Mayfield is posturing for the media but has made his intentions clear for the Bucs. He wants a contract that’s fair to everyone. When that happens Tampa is his forever home 🏡
June 30th, 2026 at 6:42 am
Radio guys will do or say anything to fill four hours!
June 30th, 2026 at 6:57 am
Get ready to squirm.
June 30th, 2026 at 7:10 am
Rod, The offensive coaches got themselves fired. It was an admission by Jason and Todd they made a bad mistake. Until we have an OC/HC we will continue to have to get new OC every year. Think about how many offenses and play callers Baker has had just with the Bucs. If you’re learning a new system every year it’s difficult to improve. Let’s hope this is Todd’s last year and ZRob offense performs well.
June 30th, 2026 at 7:26 am
@AtlBuc
“If we are to be successful, Baker needs to assume a Brad Johnson-like role”.
🥴
If Bake throws for 4,650 yards, 40 TDs, only 10 INTs, and completes 70% of his passes, that isn’t “hero ball” thats elite efficiency. Those numbers don’t come from forcing throws. They come from good decision making, a strong running game that keeps defenses honest, quality protection, and a defense that gives the offense more possessions.
Ironically, the stats you just dismissed actually suggest the exact complementary football you’re asking for.
Brad Johnson won with the team built around him because that’s what the NFL was in 2002. This isn’t 2002 anymore. The last several Super Bowl winners all had quarterbacks capable of producing at a high level when needed.
Nobody is saying Baker has to be Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes. But asking him to play like Brad Johnson in today’s NFL is like asking your smartphone to act like a flip phone.
Give me an efficient 40-TD Baker, a defense that gets off the field, and a productive running game every Sunday. That’s a formula for winning a lot more games than losing.
🔥 LFG!!
💍 Ring ME
💰 Extend BAKE!!
June 30th, 2026 at 7:47 am
gotta make baker earn it this year!!!!…let it play out….
their will be options next year…28-26 aint worth 50+mil per year
make a deep playoff run and baker will get his money
GO BUCS!!!!!
June 30th, 2026 at 7:53 am
The guy has made $132 million in is 10 years of football. Since he is a Florida resident, he would save over $5 million in state taxes if he played in sunny California and that’s at a $40 million a year salary excluding endorsements. He loves Tampa, you can live on that kind of dough very nicely! Baker, remember the salary cap and allow the Bucs to wrap you around decent players and work towards the HOF rather than a massive bank account you’ll never see the end of anyways!
June 30th, 2026 at 8:20 am
Mayfield (or his agent) wants top 10 QB money.
If the Bucs decide to pay him that much, then they are willing to sacrifice other productive veteran players due to the cap because they think Mayfield is so good that the team will be significantly diminished or they think there are no alternative QB’s in 2027 that will be as productive.
The Browns made the playoffs with Flacco
The Rams, the Panthers made the playoffs with other QB’s.
Mayfield has made the playoffs and has won in 1st round… in the past.
Last year the team collapsed in 2nd half for various reasons and Mayfield played every game.
The Bucs would be right to offer Mayfield a reasonable contract for a top 20 QB.
June 30th, 2026 at 8:51 am
I remember Joe also being super confident about Mike Evans resigning with the Bucs. How’d that turn out?
Until a deal is reached there is no deal. Facts over feelings.
I’m in the camp that wants to wait until 2026 is over to decide on Baker.
Franchise QBs don’t go 2-7 down the stretch with a weak schedule and in a putrid division.
It’s put up or shut up time. What are you prepared to do?
June 30th, 2026 at 9:21 am
I know Joe has to have an article every day about Mayfield’s contract.
BUT some of you never tire of saying the same ol shyte. Every. Single. Day.
June 30th, 2026 at 10:04 am
Hater Rod never tells the “truth” . He wouldn’t know the truth if it walked up and slapped him in broad daylight.
June 30th, 2026 at 10:36 am
There is literally ‘a deal’ on the table. The Bucs HAVE OFFERE HIM a deal. It’s pretty cut and dry. The comments are what they are. Pat is FULLUVIT. Baker already KNOWS that he is going NOWHERE, anytime soon. PERIOD. End of Story. Game Over.
June 30th, 2026 at 10:39 am
He can’t be franchised later. That’s just the point! The Bucs would take an 80 million dollar hit for the year with all the dead cap money in his current deal. They’d lose a bunch of players to keep him.
June 30th, 2026 at 10:40 am
And also, Baker didn’t single-handedly do *anything*. Football is a team sport.
June 30th, 2026 at 10:42 am
@ Rod Munch – Ding-Ding-Ding. Nail on the head. 💯 💯 💯 Absolute. No-BRAINER. 💯
June 30th, 2026 at 10:55 am
@ Stpetematt Says: “He can’t be franchised later. That’s just the point! The Bucs would take an 80 million dollar hit for the year with all the dead cap money in his current deal. They’d lose a bunch of players to keep him.”
Weak argument for WEAK people. That is NOT an excuse to allow yourself, to be held HOSTAGE by ANY one player. And, it’s a helluva LOT BETTER than being stuck on the hook for $100-MIL+ in DEAD CAP MONEY spread out over the next 5-YEARS PLUS. Also, you can ALWAYS just ‘walkaway’ after THIS SEASON. It’s just SUCH a stupid weak argument to TRY to make. I swear, this Baker “Adult” Fairytale, is some awfully WEIRD stuff. It’s like a reverse TDS mind virus, that takes away people’s ability to EVEN ‘THINK’ STRAIGHT. It completely takes over their minds, and ‘infesting it’ to the point, where THEY can only see just ‘one-way’ and then obsess over it. Playing-it out is the ONLY smart and logical way!
June 30th, 2026 at 11:21 am
Ive been saying it, you dont pay an inconsistent player early. You make him play out his contract to see what you really getting. I dont blame Baker for our failures but he’s also not some game changing QB. He’s slightly above average but only because of his heart, not because of his skill. I could care less if he goes or stays. I fully expect the ReTodd to do the wrong thing and give him a boat load of cash way to early.
June 30th, 2026 at 11:44 am
Unfortunately this particular show is the local radio version of Get Up.
June 30th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
Known Baker Basher Hot Rod Mulch with actually an excellent take…without any emotion or hyperbole. Credit where credit is due. I like Baker…but he was a whisker away from being out of the league until the Raiders fell asleep on him during a game winning drive. He should be careful not to overplay his hand here.