If Baker Mayfield Walks, Would The Bucs Go Dumpster Diving For A Quarterback?
August 24th, 2026
What if…
Over the too-long offseason, everything Joe had heard both on and off the record, it seems highly unlikely that, barring injury, someone other than Baker Mayfield is your starting Bucs quarterback Week 1 in 2027.
But as we know, things can and have changed.
Because the Bucs couldn’t get a deal done with Mayfield before Mayfield’s self-imposed deadline of July 29, did that enrage Mayfield to the point that Mayfield might give the Bucs the finger and walk away come March?
There are a number of people out there who believe that. Joe does not, because Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has the franchise tag in his back pocket.
Many of the same people who think Mayfield would be perfect for Pittsburgh next season are bearish on the Bucs using the tag on Mayfield because that would tie up some $30 million of dead cap money.
Joe maintains if you really believe in Mayfield and you really think he is the guy, then what’s $30 million in dead cap space? (Remember, the salary cap, short of a global pandemic, always goes up.)
But what if Mayfield walks? Dan Graziano of ESPN looks at Licht’s options.
Long-shot outcome: After another down year, the Bucs and Mayfield agree to part ways. Tampa Bay finds itself once again in the market for a reasonably priced QB solution and looks to the draft or free agency. Maybe it takes a shot on someone such as Tyson Bagent or Tanner McKee. Maybe it tries someone such as Michael Penix Jr. if the Falcons are done with him. Maybe this is the team that takes Jalen Hurts off the Eagles’ hands or becomes Kyler Murray’s long-term landing spot.
Joe cannot imagine the Eagles washing their hands of Jalen Hurts. And Kyler Murray? If a quarterback guru like Kevin O’Connell gives up on him, why would Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht even want the guy?
At least with Mayfield, before he started bouncing around the NFL, led the woeful Browns to the playoffs and won a game. Murray hasn’t even sniffed a playoff game.
Still, Joe has no realistic reason to believe Mayfield will not be on the Bucs’ roster a year from now.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:03 am
Penix? what a nightmare that would be, the falcons are trash and he’s a big reason why
August 24th, 2026 at 7:03 am
No, Daniels will play.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:09 am
it is called the Franchise Tag. He is not going anywhere!
August 24th, 2026 at 7:15 am
Daniels is the new “diamond in the rough” Mike Evans, but was undrafted.
Jason Licht will one day cry over the fact he survived another decade to witness JD go into the Ring of Honor after a superhero career.
Let Baker Bake on a fair deal until Baker chooses to bake elsewhere. In the meantime, develop the future Hall of Fame QB with that million dollar smile.
Or something.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:16 am
“Dumpster diving”.
Why not?
We found Baker in the NFL dumpster…
Let’s just see how this season goes.
Maybe D. Watson will be available soon – LOL! (JK)
August 24th, 2026 at 7:26 am
Daniels will get a whole lot better after a year of seasoning at the NFL level. Daniels has speed to escape when he gets out of the pocket and can sling it on the run. Develop Daniels for sure to be your #2.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:29 am
If Baker & the Bucs (specifically the offense) have a good season he’ll be back. One of the main reason will be continuity, not just with the players but it will be the first time Baker will have the opportunity to play for consecutive season with the same OC.
If Baker has a good season and the Bucs make the playoffs and win a game or two that’ll be enough for the Glazers to sign off on a new multi year deal and Baker will accept it
August 24th, 2026 at 7:29 am
What do Aaron Rogers, Patrick Mahomes and Jayden Daniels have in common?
August 24th, 2026 at 7:30 am
Re-sign Baker, do it TODAY.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:44 am
Use this season to develop Jalon Daniels. Have him take reps in 3rd preseason game as a wildcat QB. Use him in regular season as a wildcat QB/RB to give other teams something to have to plan for… Getting him game experience would also test his durability at regular season NFL speed. He appears to be natural leader. Give the kid a chance to succeed.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:50 am
The speculation is ridiculous.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:53 am
Dumpster diving? Lol…
Why do yall think Baker is the only option? You think the draft is dumpster diving? There are way better options available than Baker this upcoming off-season. And just to remind the brain dead “get him signed” people, he decided NOT TO SIGN and turned down $50 mil a season because hes an egotistical loser. Baker is looking over his shoulder and seeing Daniels, someone younger with more energy and upside with a love for the game.
Baker is too expensive and regardless of what he does this season, he won’t be here in 2027. Moving forward very few teams will give QBs these large contracts because you’ll be unable to fill other holes in the roster. Enjoy his last year here!
August 24th, 2026 at 7:55 am
I want Baker back and I think he’ll be back.
But… if not Baker, then who? Maybe Kirk Cousins, Deshawn Watson, Spencer Rattler, Justin Fields,… Lots of options…
Or, the Bucs could go to the draft at around #15 and pick the 4th or 5th best rookie QB to save the Glazers money.
August 24th, 2026 at 8:11 am
Mac Jones
Jalon Daniels
**Rookie**
Short-term stability with Jones, who’s still a relatively young veteran QB who looked good playing for Purdy last year and was really efficient.
Jalon with a year under his belt, come back stronger and smarter.
Rookie QB, Jayden Maiava is one of my favorites. Big, strong, might need some work processing at the speed of the pro level, but he lost 2 of his top targets to the NFL and if he shines this yr he’ll be a legit, top tier option at QB.
Gonna keep an eye on guys like Mensah, Iamaeva, Lagway, Chambliss, and Sam Leavitt who’s now at LSU. Another guy I’ll keep an eye on is Aidan Chiles who’s a bit of a longer shot than the top QBs, but if he can show some improvement I wouldn’t mind double dipping at the position if the front office could make it make sense.
August 24th, 2026 at 8:14 am
What if he gets banged up being a hero again and is ineffective the second half of the season? There are quite a few QBs in the draft next year.
I love Baker but a new coach, a good OL and group of young receivers, a young and aggressive defense, and a rookie QB with a high ceiling sounds okay to me.
August 24th, 2026 at 8:21 am
baker is looking skinner…with those sucked in cheeks…
a good deep dumpster dive behind mickey dee’s could turn up a few big macs and egg mcmuffins…
bake might want to look into it, if the bucs have deactivated his card at the buc’s buffet room…
no contract and no food is a cold deal… 🙂
August 24th, 2026 at 8:22 am
@Marine,
I know you threw an LOL on the end of your Watson comment, but I always believed Brady coming out of retirement when he did (the weekend before the Watson sweepstakes started) kept us out of looking behind that door.
Don’t tell me BA wouldn’t have at least been curious. So even though Tom’s last year wasn’t great, it sure saved us from some potential long term heartache
August 24th, 2026 at 8:28 am
baker can’t go full ninja this season…
he knows he needs to stay healthy in order to command that big bageroonie…
a busted up or shelved baker can’t claim he’s worth a million bucks a quarter…
yep, top qb’s now think they are worth a million dollars for every 7-8 minutes they play of a quarter…how wild is that
August 24th, 2026 at 8:30 am
Baker isn’t going anywhere IF he has a good season. If he plays inconsistent ball and continues to struggle in big games, then the Bucs will most likely be cleaning house with the coaches and the new regime will decide.
The idea that Baker has a good season and then gives the Buvs the finger when they offer him a huge new contract if fairy tale level stuff.
Why some folks are hell bent on handing him that fat new contract today is just head scratching.
What is he plays like crap??
What if he sustains a serious injury??
If he at least have the opportunity to re-evaluate after the season.
There is ZERO downside to waiting and having him play the final year of the deal he agreed to.
August 24th, 2026 at 8:41 am
Baker should come to his senses, and take the deal the Bucs offered. He won’t get a better deal from any other team. Not this season, not next. No team is breaking the bank to sign Baker long term. He’s delusional.
August 24th, 2026 at 8:42 am
@ Drunk
Good morning bud.
I agree 100%.
TB12 could have saved our bacon for sure back in 2020…
Cleveland really stepped on the pile with Watson – yikes.
August 24th, 2026 at 8:45 am
If Baker walks then, Licht has to make a BOLD move…Trade your next 3 1st round picks to the Bengals for Burrow….he’s ready to move on much like Carson Palmer…that would definitely be an upgrade from baker
Mac Jones would be solid as well
GO BUCS!!!!
August 24th, 2026 at 8:47 am
You forgot to figure this scenario into the mix.
Fans don’t fill the stadium and sell their tickets every week. RayJay needs a Billion+ in renovations, if we ever hope to get another Super Bowl. Bowles and Licht have only put a 500 team on the field in the last 5 yrs. regardless of what we’ve spent. Player contracts, have become ridiculous; doesn’t matter the position. Not to mention we aren’t getting any younger and Seattle just sold for $9.6 billion and we’re sure we can get that.
What if at the end of year, the Glazers says, ‘Screw all this crap, let’s sell the team and let somebody else deal with it.’
August 24th, 2026 at 9:00 am
Fanofdabucs says, “There is Zero downside to waiting and having him play the final year of the deal he agreed to”. Hodad says, “No team is breaking the bank to sign Baker long term. He’s delusional”.
Well, fellas, glad you’ve got the future figured out for the rest of us dummies.
“It ain’t what we know that hurts us, but what we know that just ain’t so”. Believe attribution goes to Mark Twain for that pearl of wisdom. Mark Twain wisdom>Fanofdabucs and Hodad wisdom combined. By a mile.
August 24th, 2026 at 9:03 am
Fingers crossed for a franchise WIDE reset
NEW QB
NEW Head Coach
Maybe a NEW GM
CANNOT pay a qb what Baker wants when every year he loses 4 games in a row. Good QB’s tend to not lose 4 in a row. Even guys that are considered mediocre like Baker do not lose 4 in a row every year.
August 24th, 2026 at 9:04 am
Joe … ‘Still, Joe has no realistic reason to believe Mayfield will not be on the Bucs’ roster a year from now.’
Baker’s 3 years here have yielded 9-8, 10-7 and 8-9 season records (27-24) … an ‘average’ 9-8 season over 3 years. And yes, he’s been surrounded by some relatively good talent. Sorry, but that doesn’t scream ‘franchise QB’. In a typical division, Bucs wouldn’t have made the playoffs in any of those 3 years. That level of performance doesn’t warrant $50-$60 mil per year IMO.
I’m expecting however that the Bucs will do better than 9-8 this season; at least 10-7 and possibly better than that. I’m expecting that we’ll make the playoffs, and HOPEFULLY do some damage once we get there. I think this starting team is THAT good.
Our biggest frailty IMO: Baker Mayfield’s inconsistency. Baker can be great & win us games, but as we’ve also seen, Baker can stink up the joint & cost us games. I have no idea who we have in Daniels, or what other QBs might be available next season, or even if we might end up drafting a QB in 2027. But I have trouble believing that Baker is our long-term answer. And I’ve got a hunch that the Glazers & Licht feel about the same.
August 24th, 2026 at 9:10 am
The criticism on Baker is he ran too much and got crunched. Now you want to turn the team over to an un drafted running QB? R u crazy? Lamar Jackson is a failed experiment of a fired coach. Running Quarter backs can’t stay healthy very long. Keep Baker,as,long as,he can be relevant then draft the best 6 year NIL QB you can get.
August 24th, 2026 at 9:17 am
With the exception of Brady when haven’t the Bucs gone Dumpster Diving? Even Baker was a shot in the dark. No one was confident what he was bringing to the table. And if they were confident now they’d have signed him to an extension.
August 24th, 2026 at 9:19 am
Goodness. So many people here are out of touch with reality.
I suspect that Joe MIGHT know this already, but Jalon Daniels is almost positively NOT the future starter of this (or any other) team.
Jalon Daniels isn’t even nearly ready to be a primary backup yet. All of you getting excited over him are truly jumping the gun. He’s only played late in Preseason games against 3rd and 4th stringers and camp meat.
You want to know why Baker Mayfield has not signed a new deal yet? The real reason?
He’s better on himself again. He’s made a habit of proving people wrong, and he knows if he can do it again, he can finally get the recognition he deserves. He’d get paid a lot more if he can at least reach a conference championship, and lots more if he can take us to the superbowl.
But… it’s really about proving the doubters wrong. He doesn’t want to leave. He just wants to monkey off his back, and the by-product of doing so would be more money.
And really, he never issued an ultimatum. He simply stated that when the time came to focus on football that was what he’d do, with no contract distraction. And that is what he’s doing.
The media is running with it, but he’s not. He is focused. He might say something off-handedly from time to time, and national media might read into it more than he intends, but he is focused on proving naysayers wrong.
So far asas ontract goes, what happens…happens. he’s probably not fretting over it.
August 24th, 2026 at 9:21 am
Bucs are likely a 6 win team with Todd and Baker in place. They are not winning the division or the Super Bowl, this next draft is RICH with QBs
Draft a QB on a rookie contract, hire an offensive coach so you are not consistently looking for a good offensive coach
Surround that rookie QB with talent on the OL, WR a reset is better than continuing to circle the drain of mediocrity with a coach who can’t grasp defending the modern passing game
August 24th, 2026 at 9:22 am
Mayfield not being here isn’t a lot different than expecting Mike Evans to not be here. No offense Jie’s, but players egos and desires are a wildcard that can’t be logic’d with. No one knows what’ll happen.
August 24th, 2026 at 9:23 am
I’ve got a great deal for the Bucs – trade Baker to Cleveland for Watson. Watson is obviously a clear upgrade! Promise! Why pay Baker? He’s immature! Trade for Watson, he’s a proven leader!
August 24th, 2026 at 9:25 am
Baker bet on himself with the Browns in 2021 and crashed out
He bet on himself with the Bucs in 2023 and was a success
Let’s see how it goes in 2026 but after a 2-7 finish and choking against some truly awful teams I am not confident in the combo of Baker and Bowles in 2026
August 24th, 2026 at 9:25 am
@Defense Rules
Baker’s 3 years here have yielded 9-8, 10-7 and 8-9 season records (27-24) … an ‘average’ 9-8 season over 3 years. And yes, he’s been surrounded by some relatively good talent. Sorry, but that doesn’t scream ‘franchise QB’.
Sorry but when you leave out the 3 and 28 defense you are not showing you understand how football works. I’ll teach you sloooowly
Theres an offense and then theres a defense
no… per team your defense never plays on the field with your offense
if you score 90% of the time but your defense gets scored on 100% of the time you still lose
when the offense plays the QB represents 1 person of eleven ( before the ball is snapped take a quick count)
so Base logic ( which I can’t teach in comments). No matter the silly media convention a won loss record is never the sole responsibility of any player even the QB
Thus ignoring a defense unable to end a 3rd and 28 is asinine. You can thank me later. second lessons are NOT free.