Adam Schefter: “Uncomfortable Situation” At Bucs Headquarters
August 3rd, 2026
“Schefty, stop talking about me.”
Tough talk from NFL super insider Adam Schefter on ESPN’s Get Up! show this morning.
Schefter has very deep roots at One Buc Palace. Heck, Bucs assistant general manager Mike Greenberg was once a guest on Schefter’s national podcast and that was when Greenberg wasn’t yet assistant GM. Schefter and Greenberg are from the same hometown.
When Schefter talks Bucs, Joe pays attention.
So Joe perked up when Schefter called the Mayfield contract “a rather uncomfortable situation” at One Buc Palace.
“[Mayfield] is within his right to say, ‘I don’t like this offer.’ But to call the offer disrespectful, you judge for yourself,” Schefter said with conviction. “[The Bucs] essentially offered a two-year extension averaging over $50 million a year. And the money, the total money in the three years would have put him in the top-5 quarterbacks in the game. But, I don’t think he liked the length of the deal. I don’t think that he liked that it was a two-year extension that would contractually tied him to three years. The money is his mind was off and he felt disrespected.
“So Baker was insulted; we heard from him. The Buccaneers I think were disappointed with the way everything went down and what he said. And it creates a rather uncomfortable situation for everbody.”
Wait a minute. “Uncomfortable?” Joe thought Mayfield is all ball and so is Todd Bowles and Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht?
Yes, these guys are humans with emotions. Joe can only imagine how Team Glazer hit the ceiling upon hearing Mayfield say he wasn’t offered close to $50 million a year when it really was more than that — new money for 2027 and 2028.
Joe hopes this situation simmers down.
On the same Get Up! broadcast, former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum, who is tight with Licht, suggested Licht should (or should have) put Mayfield in a room for a wide open airing of grievances. “And [then] we’re going to leave and stand shoulder-to-shoulder and take on the world from here.”
Tannenbaum says Mayfield had a very bad day when he threw the Bucs organization under the bus publicly on Thursday.
And now, per Tannenbaum, Mayfield has thrown darts at the Bucs, Falcons, Panthers and Browns. He says that’s one-eighth of the NFL and that will make it hard from him to find work outside Tampa, if he desires that.
Schefter heard that and clapped back with an interesting take.
“There will be teams (after this season] that will be interested in signing Baker no matter what he says — the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Arizona Cardinals,” Schefter said.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:17 pm
Joe says: “Wait a minute. ‘Uncomfortable?’ Joe thought Mayfield is all ball and so is Todd Bowles and Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht?
Told ya
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:22 pm
More proof that baker is me 1st and all about the money….
Bucs were fair in their offer…50+mil per year for an aging often injured QB that won a playoff game 3years ago…
baker needs to stop pouting and grow up…
i agree with Tannenbaum….baker continues to burn bridges…and right now, baker is a bridge QB….other teams may sign him after this season, but it’ll only be for a 1year deal lol….
again, baker and his agent have over valued themselves lol….
baker is outta here after the season!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:22 pm
Mayfield is childish…we all know that.
However, The glazers and Licht need to grow a pair.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:23 pm
It’s not just that it’s 1/8th of the NFL….
IT’S essentially EVERY team he’s been on (minus the Rams, which was only for a couple short weeks anyways) that he’s thrown darts at
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:23 pm
When your QB acts like a teenager who didn’t make the Varsity team, yes it can be uncomfortable.
Baker came off as a CLOWN at his press conference, I know the media and the talking head shows love the content but this was not a good look for him.
I love the Bucs stance with Baker, especially after finishing 2-7. Can’t reward mediocrity and Baker’s 2024 season seems like an aberration and not what we can expect from him
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:24 pm
Joe said in a different post that there’s a difference between a new two year contract and a two year extension.
Somebody explain the to me, because in my mind, two years is two years.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:24 pm
“These guys are humans with emotions.” A good thing to remember in every negotiation. I’m not sure which side is more or less (un)reasonable in this scenario, but Licht should never have been caught by surprise. Tannenbaum is almost right that Licht should have been more proactive in managing the situation.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:24 pm
Uncomfortable? In my mind that is the reporter interpreting how he understands the situation. That isn’t what Baker said. I know from experience that a lot of things are “said” in contract negotiations. Just look at what trump says everyday about the war in Iran. Each side is trying to get the best deal for themselves. When all is said and done, Baker realizes that the Buccaneers saved his career. That counts for something. He was given an opportunity to start and to show he could play. I see no reason at all to believe they won’t make a deal. Baker believes in himself. He will play at the top of his ability. He plays best when he is angry. In this case there’s a lot of drama and Joe gets a lot more hits. Can’t blame him. It’s a business. I just wish there was a bit less, “oh this awful franchise of losers.” There are a lot of really good players on this team, many of them young and hungry. They deserve our support. It is what it is. Hate the coach if you want, but don’t take it out on the team.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:25 pm
almost certainly right
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:25 pm
what really going to be “uncomfortable” is when the bucs extend Vita this week or next week lol….
if you dont think baker is pouting now, wait until Vita signs lol…
what is also funny is folks are saying how great Browning looks..we all know baker hates competition lol
GO BUCS!!!!
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:25 pm
Maybe Baker would be less insulted with the offer if he didn’t go 2-11 in primetime and playoff games, and singlehandedly cost the Bucs the playoffs last year.
The fact this guy plays so poorly he gets the entire offensive staff fired, and then acts offended at an offer that makes him the highest paid player in team history and one of the highest paid players in the NFL… the idea that this guy has fans is incredible.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:25 pm
^^that is, unless it was two more years at his current rate of pay (which was not implied).
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:29 pm
BuccoMarty
re read what Schefter said….
“[The Bucs] essentially offered a two-year extension averaging over $50 million a year. And the money, the total money in the three years would have put him in the top-5 quarterbacks in the game. But, I don’t think he liked the length of the deal. I don’t think that he liked that it was a two-year extension that would contractually tied him to three years. The money is his mind was off and he felt disrespected.
GO BUCS!!!!
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:30 pm
So we’re supposed to take Shefter’s word for what was offered by the Bucs? Who is the mole? Shefter shilling for his buddy in the FO to make the Bucs look better? You don’t see JL talking about the money. “top 5 in the NFL” – I doubt it.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:31 pm
Baker has been known for this since his college days. He might have just ruined his career being emotional….
I think baker is solid – but would be surprised to see him riding the bench in a couple of years.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:32 pm
Pissed off, disrespected Baker is perfect scenario for Bucs team and fans.
Show us all, Baker- win the Super bowl and then go be a celebrity somewhere else
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:32 pm
Rod while Agee to some extent baker played awful during the 2nd half but so did everyone else not solely on baker but he deff was part of the problem and not the solution.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:32 pm
Bucs are fine baker was in a photo with Jason licht all smiles. Again the national media trying to make stories. Bucs are all about ball rn first day of pads
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:33 pm
A couple of things here. First, you better believe teams will be lining up to sign Baker. They could care less about what he has said about other teams. In fact they may like it.
Second. I said it all along the problem was likely the years not the money. The Bucs like short contracts they lost ME that way. You would have thought they would have learned a lesson. I guess not.
The Bucs always seem to mess up signing good qbs then try to find replacements that don’t work. It seems the Bucs are now repeating history. Give the Man another year , sign him and quit messing this up!!!
Who do you have to replace him. The fans and players love him. Glazers wake up
Get over being hurt!!!
Pay the Man and stop it
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:35 pm
I’m been saying the same thing with my buddies. The term Baker used “disrespectful” was downright immature and asinine.
Now the Bucs really have a dilemma: do you trust your franchise to a talented, hard nose but immature player or do you let him play out his contract?
Now Baker can easily fix this:
Sign the damn extension and sit down with Licht in front golf the media and say something like:
” I let my emotions get the best of me. I was thinking of the long term financial security for my family if I got hurt. I need to be better in thinking through my communication as both a father and a teammate.
I want to be a Buccaneer and lead this team to the playoffs and beyond”
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:35 pm
I said several months ago that the Bucs are dealing with the future of Bowles and their timeline would not work with a new contract for Baker. Baker wants more than 2 years. He wants to know that he is “the man”. A 2 year offer regardless of the money is an insult and he basically said so.
I then said that if he got PO’ed enough he would ask for a trade. Well it sure appears to me that the guano is hitting the fan and something big will happen. Jimmy G may be here sooner than you think. The collapse and rebuild is near.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:39 pm
Football 1 Says:
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:33 pm I said it all along the problem was likely the years not the money.
^^^^^^
I read the comments and NOBODY was saying that duration of contract would be a problem but ME ! That’s a fact Jack.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:39 pm
Baker didn’t single-handedly do anything. It’s a football team. Everyone contributes.
Going 2-7 down the stretch run can easily be attributed to injuries. We had many high draft picks and high salary players sitting in the training room instead of playing. Losing both guards and their backups was the last straw and destroyed any consistency in the offense. No QB on earth could have performed in those circumstances.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:41 pm
100 million not enough?
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:42 pm
After the second half of last season, he needs to prove it again. If it was injuries fine, but then also be man enough to take yourself out of the game and stop being crazy for competition.
If he does great this season, then they can sign him, and if he won’t agree they can franchise tag him. If he plays well the first half of the season, I’d think they give him a contract extension like he’s looking for.
He sounds impatient to me. Also hard to feel sorry for him when he’s demanding 1000 times what many truly good people are living on.
There was no rule he couldn’t just keep quiet through all this and let his agent fight it out with the organization.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:42 pm
Far too many bloviating blowhards found here.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:52 pm
“And now, per Tannenbaum, Mayfield has thrown darts at the Bucs, Falcons, Panthers and Browns. He says that’s one-eighth of the NFL and that will make it hard from him to find work outside Tampa, if he desires that.”
Thats a dumb statement . Anyone ad his dog knows Baker would never go to back the Browns and who wants to go to the panthers or Falcons
its made nothing more difficult among the teams he would be interested in.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:53 pm
Unless we go somewhat deep into the playoffs, I think this is Baker’s and Bowles’ last season here.
I think we will do a rebuild/retool with a different coach and young/cheap QB if we don’t go on a serious playoff run this year.
Statistics show that the best chance to be a Superbowl contender is to have a young QB who becomes really good while still on the rookie deal, so you can have superstars all around him.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:53 pm
Vea shows up outta shape,gets “tweaked” The first day of camp and asked for a trade!! And he’s a hero!! WOW!
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:54 pm
The Patriots are the best example of that right now with Maye still on his rookie deal.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:55 pm
the years excuse is BS…if he signs the deal, performs great for 2years, then guess what, he’ll cash in again!!!! at 60+ mil per year
yall making every excuse for baker…
fact is he’s immature, entitled and full of himself…he thinks he should be getting a 5year deal at 55mil a year lol….this guy and his agent are clueless
GO BUCS!!!!
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:57 pm
Rod, “primetime and playoff games” is a nonsensical grouping.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:59 pm
Baker wasn’t “6 and 2” any more than he was “2 and 7”. The +team+ was 8 and 9, and Baker was obviously a key piece of both numbers.
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:03 pm
ERIK
you’re right!!!!
Big Ben, Eli, Flacco, Russell Wilson, Mahomes all won SBs on their rookie deal…Jalen Hurts and Drake Maye reached the SB on their rookie deal
GO BUCS!!!!!
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:03 pm
I still think a 47/51/55/59 at 53M AAV is the answer. Guarantee the first 3 years (this one included) and make a rolling 30M guarantee for year 4 that activates after year 2 or something. That puts Baker right where he claims he wants to be and doesn’t hurt the Bucs much at ALL. The salary cap will be 100 million+ higher by the end of his contract!
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:03 pm
I’ve been saying for years this guy is selfish and me first. The fact they wanted to pay him that much shows just how much they’re willing to keep this team as mediocre as possible. Lucky for us Baker is an ego maniac and turned it down. Baker is a liar and greedy as well.
The way some fans think the Bucs can’t do better than this is laughable. What happened to all that maturity people said he had? The Bucs took a chance on him when no one did and this is how he thanks them for paying him $100 million. All the Bucs got was one playoff win against a team that lost 7 straight 3 years ago.
He needs to go and infect another franchise. Every NFL team he goes to and hes the starter for 2+ years he has injuries, poor play and contract disputes. Time to turn the page.
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:04 pm
Holy crap, a whole bunch of people in their feelings because “I heard this on Get Up today!”.
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:05 pm
Anyone claiming that baker cost the team anything ‘single handed’ is unworthy of consideration as a contributor.
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:06 pm
interceptions cost money…
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:07 pm
Sounds like a classic narcissistic personality. Mediocre to good on occasion. Good ol’ “chip on his shoulder” means lowering his throwing shoulder into a linebacker then being injured for the rest of the season instead of widely hitting the turf to stay out of harms way. Making boneheaded decisions at the worst possible moment. I’ve thought this for a while and Bakers latest petulance reinforces it: he is very Jameis Winston like. Right on the edge of being a career backup/bridge QB
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:07 pm
We never have heard what Baker wanted. Just the Bucs offer. Which was a low ball.
Baker would be perfect for the Steelers. And they would offer him far more than a 2 year contract.
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:09 pm
Same Sh!t Different Day. Same copy and pasted comments. At least Baker is on the field with the team. Vea is not out there. The back problem is BS. When is his surgery? Players on this team can’t be injured unless they have surgery. At least that’s what the medical experts that post here tell us.
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:13 pm
Hey Rod munch…
Baker play the exact same way he’s been coached
His head coach is 5 and 13 in primetime games and one and three in the playoffs.
He’s just doing what he’s being coached to do
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:15 pm
That’s why he kept referring to “Franchise.” I guess, to him, the term “Franchise” equates to more than 3-YEARS. But, nobody gets that type of money for 4+YEARS, when they are over 30, and it is not the team that DRAFTED THEM. He is DELUSIONAL, and an IDIOT. I mean, WTF does he expect… ESPECIALLY, after last season’s performance!? And, he’s undersized and banged-up all the time. He’s an OLD 31 now. Since, he had such a big problem, he should’ve had the balls to speak to ownership in-person, face-to-face, and Man-to-MAN. He should’ve taken the DAMN MONEY. Had he been SMART and not had such a “little man” syndrome.
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:21 pm
The man doesn’t have a firm grip on his own impulses, and the whole “I’m going to have a great year” is an awesome soundbyte, but you literally wrote a check ya ass might not be able to cash, especially if he plays like career avg Baker and not 1yr outlier Baker.
Nothing more gross, and telling about a grown man throwing a tantrum.
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:22 pm
100 million is a boat load of cash, but how much would be guaranteed and/or tied to performance based?
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:23 pm
UKBuccaneer Says:
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:05 pm
Anyone claiming that baker cost the team anything ‘single handed’ is unworthy of consideration as a contributor.
————–
When he was week 6 MVP he was ‘singlehandedly’ carrying the team… then when he’s awful, throwing for 122 yards, 145 yards, turning it over 3 times vs a terrible Miami defense – well, it’s then suddenly a team sport and he’s not ‘singlehandedly’ doing anything anymore. Amazing how that works with the Baker Boi(s).
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:28 pm
I’ll wait for you to show me the evidence of me claiming that baker was single handedly carrying the team in week 6, Rod.
I do recall warning everyone that the secondary was the team’s Achilles heel, though.
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:48 pm
@ Football 1 Says: “You better believe teams will be lining up to sign Baker.”
What, you mean just like last time, when it was ONLY the BUCS bidding against THEMSELVES, and gifted HIM a 3-year/$100-MIL DEAL, that truthfully amounted to being nothing more than just another “prove-it” deal, that they could’ve move-on from after only 1-season if need be, or walk-away from basically scot-free after 2-YEARS… Is this the type of “LINING-UP” that you are referring to!? AND, it’ll be another very similar type of incoming QB DRAFT-CLASS as the last time, when 6-QUARTERBACKS (‘SIX’) were drafted within the first 12-PICKS. But, I’m only assuming that YOU already knew all of this tho!?
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:52 pm
The problem with Baker is that when he is healthy, he is worth the money he is asking for. But he has had a boatload of injuries… it kind of goes with his style of play. The question is, will the team get the healthy Baker… or the injured Baker.
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:53 pm
Haven’t read through all the comments so please forgive me if this has been pointed out. Adam Schefter needs to grab a calculator. Per OverTheCap.com, using their Ave/Year numbers, Baker would make $133M over three year or $44,333,333/year. That would not only NOT put him in the top five, it would only move him up one spot to 14th just ahead of Daniel Jones. If you are going to make sh!t up about someone at least try something that is not so easily checked.
Not that it matters, the Bucs have made it clear to Baker that he is not seen as a franchise QB. IMHO, neither Baker nor Vea will be on the Bucs in 2027. The HC and GM will also be canned, and a complete rebuild will be underway.
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:58 pm
Trade him now. He’s a locker room cancer and a public disgrace.
Get what you can in a trade before he lowers his stock in the regular season.
Bowles can go 4-13 with the backup QB and still keep his job.
Just blame it on injuries, contract issues, and every other coach except Todd.
Baker can come go elsewhere and get overpaid to under deliver.
August 3rd, 2026 at 2:00 pm
Let’s say baker leaves. Who do you replace him and guarantee superior performance? You can take a chance on a draft pick, of course. The last one went so well, after all. But who’s available who’s a genuine, unarguable upgrade?
August 3rd, 2026 at 2:01 pm
UKBuccaneer Says:
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:28 pm
I’ll wait for you to show me the evidence of me claiming that baker was single handedly carrying the team in week 6, Rod.
I do recall warning everyone that the secondary was the team’s Achilles heel, though.
————
I’m not sure what you said, but in general that was the line that Baker Boi(s) and many others were pushing – that Baker was carrying the team all by himself.
August 3rd, 2026 at 2:08 pm
@ Sal Volatile Says: “Football 1: “read the comments and NOBODY was saying that duration of contract would be a problem but ME ! That’s a fact Jack.”
That’s just NOT TRUE. Not even close. When, “I” was the ONLY-ONE on here, who said it all along, while actually truly ‘backing it up’ WITH FACTS. That is was NOT HAPPENING (all these posters on here, just willy-nilly throwing around all of these EMPTY “4-5 YEAR” offers). NOT for a 32-YEAR OLD, beginning a fresh new deal. That, NO 30-YEAR OLD (other than Super Bowl CHAMP Russell Wilson, to the Walmart-Broncos), has ever received a (TRUE) 4-5 YEARS, with a team that has NOT DRAFTED THEM. The only other north of 30-YEAR OLD who did, was TOM BRADY with the Patriots, and Dak Prescott with the Cowboys! And, you can’t count Cousins, because it is ALL FAKERY, and NOT a (true) “5-YEAR” DEAL… It’s a deal, that the Raiders can (and will) completely ‘walk-away’ from after this season, without owing him a single penny ONE. But, I’ve been saying ALL IF THIS since DAY-1. While, shooting down ALL of these idiots spewing and shouting to the rooftops… “PAY THE MAN HIS MONEY NOW,” and “4-5 YEARS,” as if they had Tourette’s, or something!!!! Annnndd, one minute, you say one thing, and then the next minute, you say something else entirely, until you have EVERY possible ‘position’ covered.
August 3rd, 2026 at 2:12 pm
@ Critmark – Tht was exactly what hey offered Baker… Daniel Jones $$$$. And, that’s a fair comp, when you add everything up. Because, I don’t believe that either one of them are worth THAT MUCH.
August 3rd, 2026 at 2:14 pm
I am a Baker fan but YES, he really did step in his own POOP when he went off about being disrespected. Once these players start complaining about how many Millions they are not making-it burns my behind and turns me off about the Greed in sports from all directions. Get him signed-get this over with please. Go BUCS!!
August 3rd, 2026 at 2:19 pm
@ jcscycles says: “Baker would be perfect for the Steelers. And they would offer him far more than a 2 year contract.”
NO, THEY WOULDN’T. Now, you clearly already know the FACTS about Quarterbacks over 30, RIGHT!? Especially, those who were NOT DRAFTED by their current TEAM. Baker will be 32-YEARS OLD, to begin next season and a fresh new contract. The Bucs only offered HIM 2-YEARS. Now, see where I’m going here… Just based off of HISTORY and the FACTS ALONE. But, YOU already know this, and YOU are only allowing YOUR ‘EMOTIONS’ to dictate YOUR reasoning. Which, is absurd. And, also very weird, in all honesty. YOU “SAYING-IT” will not make-it TRUE.
August 3rd, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Has anyone seen, from a reliable source, if there were any guarantees on the two year extension.
We have to remember that the media talks about three things with a contract: Money, Length, & Guarantees. The reality is the length of a contract is meaningless without any guarantees. They could offer a QB a contract for the next 300 years, but without any guarantees, it is like no commitment at all. He could still be gone next year.
August 3rd, 2026 at 2:28 pm
@ Stpetematt Says: “I still think a 47/51/55/59 at 53M AAV is the answer. Guarantee the first 3 years (this one included) and make a rolling 30M guarantee for year 4 that activates after year 2 or something. That puts Baker right where he claims he wants to be and doesn’t hurt the Bucs much at ALL. The salary cap will be 100 million+ higher by the end of his contract!“
STILL, one of THE ‘dumbest’ perpetual comments on here. And, with ZERO actual real “evidence” to back it up. Exactly like all of the “DISCOUNT” remarks, and that BAKER is a “Team-FIRST” guy… When, there was NEVER ANY “evidence” to back that up with, either.
August 3rd, 2026 at 2:36 pm
@ 813bucboi Says: “the years excuse is BS…if he signs the deal, performs great for 2years, then guess what, he’ll cash in again!!!! at 60+ mil per year
yall making every excuse for baker…
fact is he’s immature, entitled and full of himself…he thinks he should be getting a 5year deal at 55mil a year lol”
EXACTLY 💯. He’s demanding and expecting something that has NEVER been done before, for ANY QB over 30-YEARS OLD, and he’s using MUCH YOUNGER QB’s as his examples, when it is disingenuous at BEST. So, I’m just going to spout-off to everybody (after complaining all night with HIS WIFE), and take MY BALL and then GO HOME. Cry me a river.
August 3rd, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Steelers wouldnt want baker!!!!
they only like old former SB champions like russell and rodgers
baker and his moxy dont qualify!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
August 3rd, 2026 at 2:51 pm
Think about it. The Bucs would likely prefer to draft a 1st round QB and hire a new coach for 2027. I believe the front office has orchestrated the exit of high priced talent.
MelvinJunior Says:
August 3rd, 2026 at 2:08 pm
^^^^^
You’re full of it melvin. I have read your comments and have a memory like an elephant.
August 3rd, 2026 at 3:14 pm
Fire The Cannons & Fire Todd, The Bucs can’t reward mediocrity??? Tel us your kidding…Todd Bowles, Zion McCollum, the quitting defense…how is for mediocrity being rewarded? Mercy!!
August 3rd, 2026 at 3:14 pm
@ MelvinJunior – I was not making any comment on Baker’s relative worth, be that to Daniel Jones or anyone else. I was merely pointing out that Adam Schefter’s comment that the offer would put the three years in the top five of the NFL was pure nonsense. I would expect more from a person so well respected around the league to understand this. His comments, if taken as true, completely skew the conversation. Saying the Bucs offer would make Baker among the top five paid QBs in the league is quite different than saying the offer would move Baker from the 15th highest paid one spot to the 14th.
That was my only point. You and I both know that many people read those words and will condemn Baker for turning down top 5 money, the real facts notwithstanding.
August 3rd, 2026 at 3:14 pm
Was the guaranteed money amount revealed? No matter what the details of the offer are, it was ill advised for Baker to insert Tristan Wirfs having to hold in or Vita Vea into the conversation. I think that’s what bothered the Glaser’s. I don’t think Baker saying he felt a LITTLE disappointed or undervalued should bother anyone.
August 3rd, 2026 at 3:17 pm
Fire The Cannons & Fire Todd, The Bucs can’t reward mediocrity??? Tel us your kidding…Todd Bowles, Zion McCollum, the quitting defense…how is for mediocrity being rewarded? Mercy!!
August 3rd, 2026 at 3:21 pm
From what I can see or hear, the only ones talking and writing about this are the media. Where there is no wood the fire goes out. It’s a business’ problem and up to the management to deal with it. I haven’t one red cent invested or involved in the Bucs, so whatever they do they do. There has to be more to it than meets the eye. If it blows up the season, oh, well.
August 3rd, 2026 at 3:33 pm
Baker did the best thing possible for this franchise by not signing.
He has freed up enough money to sign Vita, and maybe another player before the trade deadline.
My heart goes out to all athletes who thumb their nose at 100 million in a two year period. Poor Baker. Don’t ya just feel sorry for this guy?
In three years time, according to him, he and his family will be forced into living in cardboard boxes under an I-4 overpass.
Maybe we all could toss him a million or two as we drive by on our way to our own jobs.
Licht is the fool here. He got the money right, but the 100 mil should have been for three years, not two.
Think how entertaining this year will be as Baker is forced into showing us his “real stuff.” I can’t wait!
And truthfully, I hope he plays great. Id love to be proven wrong. I want the Bucs to win.
But winning is better served with a QB on a rookie deal. Check the stats, boys. Teams with high priced QB’s never win the big one. And most of the time they never get there. Why? The greedy SOB’s and stupid GM’s have nothing left for the rest of the team.
August 3rd, 2026 at 3:34 pm
The Bucs better figure out a way to get Vea back in the fold and onboard ! Baker already said he will play out the season at with 100% focus and he has everything to gain by the Bucs having a successful season. This is definitely the best Bucs team since 2021! Let’s see if the front office and the Glasers can put winning this year ahead of of their pride.
August 3rd, 2026 at 3:37 pm
“Think about it. The Bucs would likely prefer to draft a 1st round QB and hire a new coach for 2027. I believe the front office has orchestrated the exit of high priced talent.“
Yes, because there is such an impeccable history with this team and QB first rounders. This makes as much sense as keeping Todd as HC DC.
August 3rd, 2026 at 3:38 pm
Bucs haven’t offered anyone long-term deals that I can remember. Even Brady, Evans, and Godwin got 2-3-year extensions. I dont really think there is anything wrong with it. I think it’s very smart. If Baker was in his 20s, a large deal would make sense, but he’s already 31. He will be 32 when the season ends… He’s got an injury history & he is just two years away from the Panthers’ practice squad playing DE. Baker has looked great with us and has performed, but a large part of that is the supporting cast we have given him. Not many teams have Evans, Godwin, Egbuka, an elite OL, good RBs, etc etc.
He has a chance to retire a Buc, and they would have extended him after the 2 year extension if he was doing well as they did Godwin, David & Evans recently so I would of thought Jason Lciht would be given more of the benefit of the doubt but here we are.
August 3rd, 2026 at 3:44 pm
So you work for a company in a position that pays 250000 a year for 9 others but you only make 150000, which is still pretty good. You would just let it slide then? I highly doubt it. It is all relative isn’t it?
August 3rd, 2026 at 3:46 pm
@ JA – what makes you think Baker would ever see any of the $100M over two years. Were either of those years guaranteed? I have heard a lot of speculation but nothing from any reliable source.
As I have pointed out previously, only the guaranteed years mean anything. The Bucs could offer him $50M a year for 20 years, totaling a Billion dollars. But if none of those years are guaranteed, the offer is worthless.
August 3rd, 2026 at 4:00 pm
I would say to Adam…prove it.
August 3rd, 2026 at 4:22 pm
Thank you, Critmark, for your specifics. Facts certainly clarify, just as ignoring them invites emotional miasma.
August 3rd, 2026 at 4:22 pm
Baker and his agent could have continued negotiating, but instead they imposed an arbitrary deadline of their own making. By creating a self-imposed ultimatum and signaling a willingness to escalate the dispute publicly if their demands weren’t met, they made the situation appear less like a disciplined negotiation and more like a tantrum. There didn’t seem to be any compelling reason to force an artificial deadline, and doing so risked turning what should have remained a private business negotiation into a public confrontation. From that perspective, the strategy came across as unnecessarily combative, immature, and ultimately counterproductive.
August 3rd, 2026 at 4:33 pm
My prediction that after this season Baker, Bowles and Vita will all be gone and the rebuild will begin.
August 3rd, 2026 at 4:44 pm
once again the bucs try to treat someone bad then come out through their media agents trying to spin what they did. baker just isnt mike, he’ll come right out and say what they did. mike left. same reaction, different method. f u bucs is the reaction. vea as well.