“You’ve Got To Put Yourself In His Shoes”
July 17th, 2026
Click through to visit BillCurrieFord.com and see their extraordinary July discounts. Family-owned in Tampa since 1960! Bill Currie Ford general manager Sean Sullivan is ready to help you PERSONALLY and give you the famous Ira Kaufman discount. Don’t Worry, Drive Currie!
BY IRA KAUFMAN
It’s been a nice July stretch for Baker Mayfield and Tom Mills.
Mills is the long-time agent for Mayfield, who is entering a contract year seeking a lucrative long-term extension from the Bucs. With training camp less than two weeks away, the organization and the veteran quarterback remain significantly apart in terms of compensation.
When Mills schedules his next conversation with Jason Licht, he should bring Jon Gruden along for support. As a head coach, Gruden was known to be very demanding on his quarterbacks, holding them to a high standard. Still, Gruden learned to appreciate the savvy and toughness of Brad Johnson and Rich Gannon.
When it comes to Mayfield, Gruden makes a compelling case for showing him the money.
“He’s my wife’s favorite player, not that anybody cares,” Gruden told me a week ago. “Cindy loves his playing style. He’s a fireball, man. I mean how do you not like Mayfield? He brings it on the practice field and he brings it on Sunday. In the most horrific of situations, how many times have you seen this guy scramble and sell out to get a first down?
Gruden has Mayfield’s back and Buc Nation is right there with him.
When Tampa Bay fans watch the “Quarterback” series currently streaming on Netflix, they’re going to like Mayfield even more. The behind-the-scenes segments with Mayfield and his family reveal a doting father. The on-field banter between Mayfield and defenders reveals a competitive streak that rivals his predecessor under center, Tom Brady.
Kova Jade Mayfield, who turned two in April, steals the show. The word “adorable” doesn’t do her justice and Baker Mayfield can’t get enough of her hugs and soaring vocabulary.
The series shows a tender side to Mayfield, in stark contrast to the alpha dog who snarls at opponents.
“I think he’s the leader of the team,” Gruden says. “He can make all the throws and he proved he can play in bad weather in Cleveland. I’m an owl — who, who, who are you going to get if you don’t have Baker Mayfield?”
If the Bucs hadn’t melted down after the bye week in 2025, Mayfield would already be locked in with a new deal. He was a legit MVP candidate when Tampa Bay bolted to a 6-2 start, but Mayfield didn’t step up when the Bucs faded and failed to make the playoffs.
Buc fans who watch the “Quarterback” series won’t soon forget the doleful image of Mayfield sitting alone in his kitchen, helplessly watching the Falcons beat the Saints in Week 18 to end Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes. Shabby ball security was a major factor in an 8-9 finish that contributed to the departure of Mike Evans.
Mayfield started all 17 games, despite a series of injuries that hampered his mobility and his zip on the ball. Nobody questions his toughness, especially the coach who drove the 2002 Bucs to the promised land.
“I think you’ve got to put yourself in his shoes,” Gruden says of the contract stalemate. “How would you like it? You’ve been to the Pro Bowl, you’ve played magnificent football here and the Browns haven’t been very good since he left. Where are we going without Baker Mayfield? I’m hoping it will all work itself out. My advice? Take one snap at a time, just play good football down to down, stay healthy and great things are going to happen to Mayfield.”
Ultimately, it’s up to ownership to provide Licht with direction in this situation. If the Glazers view the Netflix series and heed Gruden’s advice, this impasse may be over before Kova learns her next word.
July 17th, 2026 at 8:53 am
Worst scene of the show?
The last episode.
Baker is dejected in his kitchen after the Saints loss.
Baker was so sad.
And his wife hugs him, and immediately says “so when are we going to the Bahamas?”
I feel so bad for American men.
Why are our women such narcissists?
Why are they so selfish?
Most women are truly insane narcissists who use men. They don’t actually care.
Poor Baker.
He was dejected. And his wife didn’t care.
She just wanted to talk about going to the Bahamas.
NFL players should never get married until they retire.
Just get a chef, à maid, and date.
Fun fact: 9 out of 10 NBA players get left by their wives. Who steal half their money.
And you think men are the problem?
We are surrounded by parasites.
“Men are in love. Women are in business”
Best social media expression of this decade.
July 17th, 2026 at 9:08 am
“She” wasn’t the only one.
#QuittingDefense
July 17th, 2026 at 9:12 am
“Don’t judge me by the Almighty. Judge me by the alternative.”
In Mayfield, the Bucs have a former #1 pick. (One proven way to snare a good qb is to catch one picked at the top of the draft who has fallen on hard times). Mayfield led two teams, including a truly dismal one, to some postseason success. And Baker handled a transition from the GOAT, a feat of confidence and competence — a process that usually takes teams three or four years to recover from.
Baker may not be the best. He is the best for the Bucs. And the key for many successful teams has been to couple a qb with an attacking defense. We have one half of that formula in place; it’s up to Licht (and to Bowles) to get the other half in line.
July 17th, 2026 at 9:12 am
I agree with coach Gruden, sign Baker now. Whatever contract he signs will be a bargain in two years. The cap jumps every season and the Bucs have demonstrated countless times they know how to manipulate salaries to manage it properly. I will admit, I did vomit a little when he reminded me that Can’tmakeaplay Davis is still on the roster…….GO BUCS
July 17th, 2026 at 9:19 am
I thought it was hilarious when Baker tried the dog cake and almost threw up.
Now he knows how the fans feel on Sundays when he and Bowles snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
He seems to be a great dad and family man, albeit on a polished show designed to put the QB position even higher on a pedestal. But that doesn’t change the results on the field.
If he had won a playoff game or two last season I would have been on board with giving him a new contract. Instead he was his worst in the biggest moments.
Blame injuries all you want. It’s not as if the last third of the schedule was some daunting uphill climb. It was a cake walk. And Baker choked just like he did when tasting his pups gender reveal cake.
July 17th, 2026 at 9:23 am
True to form, Glazers will probably let Baker walk all while keeping Todd – the Face of the Franchise.
July 17th, 2026 at 9:31 am
@chester
careful!!!!!….you’re making too much sense lol
forget the fact that he choked in DEC and won 1 playoff game 3years ago lol…the fact is, baker is exciting and has moxy!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
July 17th, 2026 at 9:37 am
QB be damned….in Todd we trust.
The Glazers have made it abundantly clear that they don’t value offense. If they did, they wouldn’t have a head coach wannabe defensive coordinator running their football program.
Every single major NFL metric points to offense offense offense offense…..yet they cycle through offensive coordinators as if every single one can do what the one before them did. All while the phony defensive coordinator masquerading as a head coach gets to fall on his face midseason every year. Why the hell do they think Mike Evans finally bolted?
They destroyed the immediate future of this franchise two years ago when they let Coen walk and kept the king of turds instead.
July 17th, 2026 at 9:38 am
Always look forward to an article by the Sage of Tampa Bay sports.
I just love babies. 2 years old. Lots of hugs. Dangit.
And Teacherman, now now. I’m sure your comments were tongue in cheek, and I am sure that you know.
It’s the women that are having those babies that we all get to dote on, all too fleetingly… and for that, we are all grateful.
I prefer my babies in that 12-20 month range, right after they start walking. They’re really fun right about then.
July 17th, 2026 at 9:50 am
“When Mills schedules his next conversation with Jason Licht, he should bring Jon Gruden along for support.”
How does having the support of a former HC change the results on the field? How does being a “fireball” and someone’s “favorite player” help win games? How does being a family man stop the 4th quarter turnovers? Compliments > Contract
“My advice? Take one snap at a time, just play good football down to down, stay healthy and great things are going to happen to Mayfield.” Bake already said he isnt taking that advice Jon so save your breath. Its all meaningless, the endless glazing and drooling over him being a family man. It has nothing to do with job performance.
Can someone explain to me why the leader and ultimate team player hasn’t signed his extention so he can stay on the team he loves?
July 17th, 2026 at 10:08 am
@Bee
careful lol…
you’ll be labeled a hater lol…
talking about 4th quarter turnovers are a no no lol
GO BUCS!!!!
July 17th, 2026 at 10:09 am
Bee. He is already signed, you twit. Pretty sure everyone is focused in on our 2026 season.
July 17th, 2026 at 10:26 am
Bee – it’s a business decision which has to be fair to Baker too. The agent is doing his part to come to an agreement in fairness to Baker.
Baker has earned his coming payday already. Meaning he is not going to settle because of bad coaching or loafing teammates. All that is irrelevant.
If the team is looking at his poor play in the second half of the season is all on Todd not Baker. Todd needed to bench Baker following the bye week to allow him to somewhat recover from his injuries.
July 17th, 2026 at 10:32 am
Teacherman,
You’re stupid.
Emily said ‘should we go to the Bahamas?’ Trying to take Bake’s mind off the loss, like a normal vacation does for normal everyday working stiffs.
She’s a cool a$$ very supportive wife. Don’t bash her, especially with fake news like you’re spewing.
We need to compromise and pay Baker like a Top-10 QB.
July 17th, 2026 at 10:37 am
Pay the man!!! Let’s move on…
July 17th, 2026 at 10:40 am
813bucboi Says:
July 17th, 2026 at 10:08 am
@Bee
careful lol…
you’ll be labeled a hater lol…
talking about 4th quarter turnovers are a no no lol
GO BUCS!!!!
SMH
July 17th, 2026 at 11:02 am
Baker has been very good in his time here except after the bye last year. Before we commit to a long term Mahomes, Prescott type contract I’d like to see him play out that last year. He is already asking sixty+ million. Another successful year won’t change that figure very much. Heck, even the franchise salary is projected to be $56 million next year. Mahomes averages $64M. Prescott averages $60M. Then the next 5 or 6 all make $55. That’s where I put his value, personally.
July 17th, 2026 at 11:07 am
Thanks Sage you are indeed the best sir.
Dont have any kids so I go into Adopted Grampa mode every now and then. I get it Ira! The more I think about it I would love to watch Baker and Chucky do a whole pre season practice together! That would be so freaking awsome!
BTW I think Brad was as close as anyone to Chucky’s ideal QB. When Brad got on a streak he was as good as anyone.
Go Bucs!
July 17th, 2026 at 11:27 am
You have him cheap this year, and can franchise him next year. You could also franchise him, then let him seek a trade. Do you think some team next year will give up draft picks, and pay Baker 60 million a year long term? Bucs hold all the cards. Bakers only leverage is to hold out which he said he wouldn’t do. Take the Bucs offer Baker. You’re not going to get anything better anywhere else. Please, so we can talk football, not about how many more millions you think you’re worth.
July 17th, 2026 at 11:50 am
THE BUCS HOLD ALL THE CARDS
Reality Check: Baker might have 2-3 good years left. He might also get hurt during that time.
The Bucs have the right to franchise tag Baker for the next two seasons at $50M per year. If they franchise him and he gets hurt, they can cut him the following year.
If he wants 3-4 years, he would have to take equal or less than $50M per year.
Why would the Bucs offer him more than you have to pay?
Remember: The more they save the better players they can afford. Baker isn’t a winner on his own.
July 17th, 2026 at 11:53 am
One of the Joes said it best –
Is Mayfield going to risk $140-$150 million of guaranteed money for an extra $10-$20 million over 3 years that Bucs will most likely not agree to this year?
July 17th, 2026 at 11:59 am
Teacherman
Seriously?
Don’t suppose you heard about the narcissist whiny bish in the WH. Wanker whines more than any woman I’ve ever known. More than most 2 year olds. And loots the country at the same time.
July 17th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
You know, when a defensive coach once couldn’t get the Bucs over the hump, the Glazers turned to Jon Gruden.
It would not surprise me if history repeated itself in 2027.
July 17th, 2026 at 12:45 pm
The Bucs do not hold the cards. Only the uninformed think that.
If they don’t sign him and franchise him, his salary cap number next year is $80 million. That leads to several players being cut. You have to extend him to keep your roster intact.
If you think for one second that the bottom ten teams won’t pay him $60 million a year to get out of the basement you’re crazy. And if Stafford retires, don’t think for one second that Sean McVay won’t snatch him up asap.
You guys that want to let him walk, are doing so knowing it will put the Bucs in the cellar for 5+ years. That ain’t what I want. With Baker we can win if we field a competent defense. If you burn Mayfield he’ll hold out, destroy the cap, and leave Tampa in an impossible spot. You have to pay him. Any contract he signs today will be a bargin by 2028.
July 17th, 2026 at 1:01 pm
SlyPirate … ‘The Bucs have the right to franchise tag Baker for the next two seasons at $50M per year. If they franchise him and he gets hurt, they can cut him the following year.’
According to NFL rules, you’d still owe Baker quite a bit of money. The projected cost to franchise tag him for 2027 is $50 mil. BUT … that goes up 20% if we franchise tag him AGAIN for a 2nd year. So that’d put 2028’s cost at about $60 mil.
I personally don’t like the franchise tag, especially for QBs. You take winning teams with a franchise QB (Chiefs with Patrick Mahomes, Bills with Josh Allen, etc) and those QBs are the acknowledged leaders of their team. And they get paid big money for not just being team leaders, but also by raising the level of play of those around them. I just can’t imagine franchise tagging a franchise QB though, it’d play with his head & more than likely adversely affect his motivation & play.
In Baker’s case, it all comes down to whether or not the Bucs’ ownership & management is willing to commit to Baker as the team leader for more than 1 year at a time. Despite all the nice words flowing from management, it seems apparent to me that the Bucs have doubts right now. And IF that’s the case, then they need to let him play under his current contract, and IF he has a good year, THEN negotiate a new contract. But IF he has another meh year like 2025, it’d be time to break out Plan B (whatever that might be).
July 17th, 2026 at 1:31 pm
I’m happy gruden isn’t in charge of a modern NFL franchise.
Give him his $50mm per year for 4 years but make only the first two guaranteed and rip up this years contract. Meaning he’ll have to earn ‘28 and ‘29.