Jason Licht Recoils At Baker Mayfield Question
August 28th, 2026
Jason Licht reacts with a bitter beer face when asked about Baker Mayfield’s possible future with the Bucs.
This had to be one of the funniest moments that Joe has seen/heard in a Bucs broadcast in a while.
As he does each preseason, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht made an appearance in the second half of the final worthless preseason game in the WFLA-TV Channel 8 broadcast booth to answer some questions about the Bucs.
Licht was in a jovial mood. Why not? The regular season is about to start. He’s fielding questions from good guy Chris Myers and Licht is joking with his golfing and shuffleboard pal Bucs preseason color analyst Ronde Barber.
But then, Myers really threw Licht a curveball. And for those panicking that the Bucs have not yet re-signed Baker Mayfield, Licht’s reaction to a Mayfield question sent strong vibes that Mayfield isn’t going anywhere.
Myers asked Licht how “optimistic” he was that Mayfield will be the Bucs’ quarterback “beyond this season.”
As Joe stated, Licht was in a good mood. He smiled while Myers referenced Vita Vea leading up to his question. Then Licht looked down as he listened to Myers.
Then, Licht’s eyes suddenly darted straight ahead as if he was shocked with the question.
Then Licht, who’s not a great poker player, quickly developed bitter beer face and stared at Myers as if Myers asked him if he likes to chug warm beer in his office each morning.
The look on Licht’s face was sort of like, “How can you ask me that?” And then Licht blurted out, “I feel very optimistic about it.”
The smile then returned to Licht’s face as he said Mayfield “wants to prove to us he’s the franchise quarterback that we said he was.”
Joe has typed many, many times this summer that everything Joe has heard on and off the record is that Mayfield will be your Bucs quarterback in 2027 somehow, some way.
Licht’s reaction to Myers’ perfectly reasonable question reinforced Joe’s read on the situation.
(Licht’s reaction to Myers’ question was so classic. Joe’s tried with minimalistic software several times to get a screenshot of Licht’s bitter beer face-reaction, but Joe cannot get the exact frame he wanted.)
August 28th, 2026 at 10:24 pm
Yep. I’ve seen more than ENOUGH of Browning by now, too. It’s pointless. He’s looked almost as good as Teddy did last season. He can’t even pull the trigger. He’s Worthless. I mean, you KNOW it’s REAL BAD when you have to turn to old Ballsack. It’s appropriate enough now, to start panicking.
August 28th, 2026 at 10:30 pm
Let’s just hope he has a great year, which I think he will. The kid is waiting in the wings.
August 28th, 2026 at 10:33 pm
“He wants to prove that he’s the franchise quarterback that we said he was?” You “said” the exact opposite by not signing him to a freaking contract!
August 28th, 2026 at 10:34 pm
This team has no depth. Same as last season. ZERO. Now, Jacksonville’s depth on the other hand, looked VERY impressive. Counting Travis Hunter, they had 4 (FOUR) WR’s ranked in the Top-44 in the league, according to ESPN Fantasy Rankings. There were at least 4 (probably 5) of Daniels’s passes tonight, that would’ve been CAUGHT, had it been JMac, EE, Godwin, and probably Hurts. And, I’m not so sure about that fumbled snap… It looked like, that was on #66 to me. It never touched or got to JD’s hands. I mean, hell… When the guy snaps-it right into his OWN nuts, what ya gonna do!? LoL. Didn’t we hire a Special Teams Guru, or Genius, or something!? Lmao. It’s gonna be ROUGH. Some tough sleddin.
August 28th, 2026 at 10:35 pm
The smile then returned to Licht’s face as he said Mayfield “wants to prove to us he’s the franchise quarterback that we said he was.”
———–
That’s literally all I said all offseason. Baker is under contract, play out his deal, if he does well, you give him a huge new deal – if not, you move on.
Baker has the same mindset.
Take that Baker Boi(s), I’m more in tune with Mayfield than you are.
August 28th, 2026 at 10:36 pm
They offered what they thought he was worth. He wants more now he has to prove he’s worth more.
August 28th, 2026 at 10:38 pm
The smile then returned to Licht’s face as he said Mayfield “wants to prove to us he’s the franchise quarterback that we said he was.”
I mean if he has to prove it then you already have your answer. Joe, how many times have you been lied to on and off the record? Just curious.
They’ve got a kid with energy and upside chomping at the bit to play and business wise, he’s cheaper. Don’t know if anyone noticed but the depth is bad on this team and that $50 million needs to be used to fix it, fast. But of course, if Baker is any good we’ll see it soon enough…and consistently.
August 28th, 2026 at 10:41 pm
I’m recoiling at the thought of Licht and Bowles leading the “charge” in 2027.
Uninspiring…both desperately want to be liked by/friends with the players.
Oh how we miss Bruce Arians…whose only downfall was his incredible loyalty to Bowles.
August 28th, 2026 at 10:41 pm
If Mayfield could play good to great in every game he would’ve been worth the contract by now now. He’s great at times and poor others and if he’s injured he disappears. Like Munch said he plays great give him a big contact if not draft his replacement
August 28th, 2026 at 10:42 pm
@ Crack3rK – They offered him 3-FULL YEARS (total, and at top-of-the-market’ level), at 31-YEARS OLD… When, NO other QB (other than Russell Wilson) has gotten MORE than that, who wasn’t re-signing with the ‘original’ team who DRAFTED THEM (Brady and Dak were the only other two). So, I mean, what the hell DO YOU EXPECT. He was offered a $105-$110-MILLION Extension. It’s absolutely ABSURD to expect anything more than that (and I wouldn’t had offered anything even CLOSE to it), AFTER last season, AND given his history. So, PLEASE.
August 28th, 2026 at 10:47 pm
Munchy i see your point. Baker Bros are so blinded by their devotion that they can’t think straight about baker.Then your point is also true in the opposite. you are as a Daniels dood are so enamored with this kid that you cant see the truth. So i understand Daniel s better than you as a Daniels dood do. He is a udfa passed up by 32 teams doing extensive research. Tonight he played against first and second stringers and stunk. Browning has relieved Burrows,and done well for a backup. Daniels will be put on the practice squad. I understand Daniels better than you do.
August 28th, 2026 at 10:47 pm
Great. We get it already Joe. You’re a Baker Boi through and through.
Years more of Mr Mid QB on deck. I look forward to rubbing your noses in it.
💩💩💩💩💩💩
August 28th, 2026 at 10:51 pm
And you are a Daniels dood through and through. Looking forward to years of games like today.
August 28th, 2026 at 11:04 pm
Baker simply just is t a good qb and if really watch a game closely he isn’t throwing 3 to5 balls a game that other QB , throw it !! He has a batted ball gimp and all the D coord know it . They are flooding his right side and he has to pull it down and make a ( great play) but it really is a not so good play because option 1 , he simply can’t make the throw to the batted balls gimp / yips …… is what it is ……. D Brees threw like a 6’ 4” release , Baker is a 6 foot release guy and it is a problem of some magnitude!! Liam really did a great job of getting him on short routes before the hands were to close …. and creating throwing lanes.
August 28th, 2026 at 11:17 pm
Marky mark … I’m just screwing around with the Baker Boi(s), they’re so easily triggered and insecure, and they oversell even the smallest criticism, it’s impossible not to tweak them.
With that said, I do think Daniels has looked really good for an UDFA QB, and I’d 100% keep him over Browning. That doesn’t mean I literally want him starting this season.
But next year? We’ll just see how this year goes. If Baker performs, you look him up for a long time. If he doesn’t? Well everyone is getting fired, and you’re starting over anyways, so having a guy on your roster that has shown promise is good to have around.
August 28th, 2026 at 11:17 pm
Daniels had 5 balls DROPPED. The first one to Patterson (or whomever) went right through his arms. The one to Tez is CAUGHT by JMac 💯 of the time, and prob at least 80-90% of the time by both, EE and Godwin. The one to Kam literally, hit him square in the CHIN, while he stood there wide-open and waiting for it. The one to Green, right off his hands… And, the next one (after his one catch), was even WORSE. I thought Daniels looked fine, under such very difficult circumstances. A HELLUVA LOT BETTER than friggin’ Browning.
But, look at all the Baker-Boi Bros… They’re all tore, and can’t handle it up LoL. Talkin bout gettin NERVOUS. But, here’s the thing… THEY are rooting AGAINST JD morphing into a Superstar. THEY DON’T want him to. That’s the thing. EVEN, if it ‘benefits’ the BUCS the most if HE does… Like, EVER IMAGINABLE. That’s exactly, what it would be at HIS salary… IF he were to become the starter AND earn ALL-PRO. That would literally be ‘their’ very WORST NIGHTMARE. Even, when nothing could ever be any better than that, for our BUCS.
Now, that should really tell you something there… Should tell you ALL you need to know. That, they are NOT real “Bucs Fans.” They are just “BAKER FANS.” At all cost. No matter WHAT. Undyingly. Everlastingly. They. Are. SCARED. TO.DEATH. Right Now. But, just wait for it when all the chants start raining down in Ray-Jay, to put the kid in. You’ll REALLY see their TRUE colors, then.
August 28th, 2026 at 11:21 pm
It is a big year for all of them. If Baker struggles, they could all be gone.
August 28th, 2026 at 11:23 pm
“ Then Licht, who’s not a good poker player…”
Hmm. I’m betting Baker Mayfield would be a good poker player.
A high stakes game. Hoping Baker is here in 2027. But if I had to raise that bet, I’d fold my cards.
August 28th, 2026 at 11:28 pm
@ Rod Munch – No, here’s the difference… And, it’s a BIG one. It is THE difference. WE are NOT ‘emotionally’ attached to Daniels, or anyone else. Not in ANY way. Cause, WE only want what is best FOR THE BUCS. We could not care ANY LESS, what happens to JD, Baker, or anyone else… Especially, AFTER they leave the BUCS. And, that is what makes these “Baker-Bois Bros,” just soooo insufferable. And, extremely WEIRD. Especially, for any ADULT.
August 28th, 2026 at 11:34 pm
Kenton Smith Says:
August 28th, 2026 at 11:23 pm
“ Then Licht, who’s not a good poker player…”
Hmm. I’m betting Baker Mayfield would be a good poker player.
A high stakes game. Hoping Baker is here in 2027. But if I had to raise that bet, I’d fold my cards.
———
Wow, such little faith in Baker.
If he performs, he’ll be here next year on a giant new deal making him one of the top 5 highest paid players in the NFL. If he doesn’t, then as I said before, everyone is getting fired, and the team is rebooting.
It’s really cut and dry.
If you’re a Baker Boi, that should be good news however, Baker generally plays his best when he’s “disrespected” … well, right up until he starts telling everyone how great he is, that’s when he falls off a cliff. But hey, maybe this time will be different – or maybe he will keep feeling disrespected until he gets a new deal. I hope so, since if he’s playing great, the Bucs are winning – and the Bucs aren’t going to let him walk if he can actually keep up the pace for 17 games and win in the playoffs.
August 28th, 2026 at 11:36 pm
We better be shopping for a quality bu QB….Jalon will be a 3rd.
August 28th, 2026 at 11:44 pm
I think Baker is more than willing to gamble that he has a great year followed by a new contract. And if he wins – he can’t beat that return on the dollars!! I’m betting on Baker Mayfield to succeed ! Why ? Because of his drive and the way he fights to win ! I mean next to Brady, nobody fights to win like Baker Mayfield !!
Can’t wait for the season!!
Go Bucs !!
August 28th, 2026 at 11:45 pm
You don’t look like you’ve hit your mid season form yet Munch. Reading your comments you said to pay Mayfield if he performs. All last year and offseason everything that happened bad to this team was tied in someway to Mayfield. I had to go back and read the paying Mayfield 3 times because I didn’t think you’d ever write something like that. Maybe someone is filling in on your account or is this the softer side of Munch! Haha I almost want to do a welfare check on you to make sure you’re ok bud! 🤣
August 28th, 2026 at 11:51 pm
This just reinforces my belief Licht puts on an “aw shucks” personality for the media, but behind closed doors he’s a narcissist.
Probably explains why all the local media can bash Todd (rightfully so) but treats Flesh Licht like an infallible god.
August 28th, 2026 at 11:54 pm
Well. Munch is right. The time to re-sign Baker passed. Baker’s choice was to sign a bad deal. An objectively bad deal but one that gives some level of security he does not presently have.
Or, play out this contract and force them to pay him, if he does well.
If he doesn’t do well, the new HC may want his own QB. So he’s back on FA and there will be plenty of suitors.
Where it gets interesting is if the Offense leads strongly and the team still loses because of bad Defense, Robinson may take the reins. He will not want to lose a QB that produced. But he will want his own GM.
August 28th, 2026 at 11:55 pm
@rod
“That’s literally all I said all offseason.”
That literally not all you have said and so its a literal lie – but for those of us who have been around – nothing new.
August 29th, 2026 at 1:09 am
This team is on the road to nowhere with Todd at the helm. I mean, just look across the sideline and see how galvanized the other team was. Night and day.