The Jets And A Baker Mayfield Trade
August 1st, 2026
Very interesting to hear Tiki Barber, the twin brother of Buccaneers legend and insider Rondé Barber, talking about how the Bucs feel like a “crumbling” operation.
Tiki Barber even said of Todd Bowles: “Their head coach, he’s not solid,” Barber barked on his WFAN radio show in New York this week. “He’s not on solid footing.”
Hmmm, from whom is Tiki Barber getting that read on Tampa Bay? Joe has a not-so wild guess.
More interesting to Joe, though, was Barber talking about how Baker Mayfield should be a trade target right now of multiple teams, including the New York Jets.
“How can you not look at Baker Mayfield and say, ‘I need to consider going after him,'” Barber bellowed. “Baker Mayfield to the New York Jets has to be a real conversation.”
Barber believes Mayfield’s public condemnation of the Bucs for not respecting his contract demands creates an opening, as the organization reels from the stinging Mayfield comments and assesses his future.
“This [Bucs] team could look completely different a year from now, and the last thing you want to do is tie yourself to a quarterback who is demanding to be paid like Dak Prescott. And he’s not Dak Prescott,” Barber said. “[Mayfield is] a good player. Maybe he should be making $50 million a year on a three-year deal. But he shouldn’t be making $60 million on a three-year deal. Like there’s this impasse that doesn’t feel like it’s going to get settled or the Bucs want to get settled.”
Barber pleaded to the Jets: “Capitalize on it.”
For those who didn’t get the reference before, Tiki Barber and Rondé Barber do not hide how close they are. Is Tiki getting cues from Rondé, who is tight with Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht?
“It feels like Tampa is crumbling,” Tiki Barber said, referring to Mayfield as “disgruntled.”
Joe doesn’t want to trade Mayfield, but it sure would be intriguing if the Jets were willing to cough up one of the three first-round picks they hold in the 2027 draft, a draft primed to be rich in QBs.
New York owns the Colts’ and Cowboys’ first-rounders, and their own.
August 1st, 2026 at 8:41 pm
If they aren’t going to re sign Baker and Vea trade them and load of for next years draft class. We all feel the dark days are coming of a restart. Sucks but it’s here. We can’t afford to pay these guys top dollar and stay competitive. Sad but it is our reality.
August 1st, 2026 at 8:53 pm
Sal sniffed out a potential Mayfield trade months ago. I thought perhaps the Steelers but I forgot the McCarthy/Rogers connection.
I said then and I continue to say that the owners timeline and Baker’s contract don’t work. The problem is, and always will be Bowles.
Baker is playing this masterfully. Vita started an avalanche.
I would not bet against Baker and Vita being involved in some wild three way trade. I said so months ago.
August 1st, 2026 at 8:56 pm
WHERE has Baker ever asked for Dak money?
August 1st, 2026 at 8:57 pm
Baker’s and Vea’s trade value is as high as it is going to get right now. Trade them both and get high draft choices in future drafts. It is not like this Bucs team is going to the SB this season.
August 1st, 2026 at 8:58 pm
I believe baker is better than dak. Is tiki serious about that ? Lol
August 1st, 2026 at 8:59 pm
Up to this point, Browning has been making more explosive plays than Baker in training camp. If this continues, I’d say we trade him, especially if the Jets will part with one or two of their first round picks. He’s causing unnecessary drama over guaranteed money. They probably only guaranteed this years salary. If you don’t like the contract, don’ sign it and come out and ball out.
All I can say is you’d better hope the Jets don’t offer us a one!
August 1st, 2026 at 9:00 pm
I said before all thr drama that if the Bucs didn’t seriously want to extend Baker, they should trade.him ASAP, rather than rely on the franchise tag. I still think that’s true. There’s no such thing as a good disgruntled employee, and a disgruntled team leader is a contradiction in terms. Make a real decision: sign him now for three to four years, or trade him and move on…to whatever is available.
August 1st, 2026 at 9:00 pm
The owners are looking at saving truckloads of $$$$ and possibly having multiple 1st and 2nd round picks. What do you think they will do ? That will surely entice a bonafide HC candidate or two.
August 1st, 2026 at 9:05 pm
It might be best that Zac doesn’t buy a house here.
August 1st, 2026 at 9:08 pm
1st of many I told Ya So this year.
August 1st, 2026 at 9:09 pm
Beeej Says:
August 1st, 2026 at 8:56 pm
WHERE has Baker ever asked for Dak money?
____________________________________________________________
1st, we know Tiki has a good source. Second we know the Bucs offered Baker more than $50M, they said so. Third, we know that Baker himself said they weren’t even close to a deal. I’d say 52-54 million and 60M “aren’t even close”. That makes me feel bad for the fans on this site that staunchly supported Baker, saying the Bucs should be paying him $50M. And all along, this little selfish runt is demanding $60M, fully aware of the amount of free agents we have to sign next year. This is the team that too you out of the trash heap when no one else wanted you. I hope the Glaziers feel as fed up and betrayed as I do.
August 1st, 2026 at 9:10 pm
The Bowles Curse
August 1st, 2026 at 9:11 pm
I think all of us were taken by surprise by Vita but now I wonder if it was all orchestrated including ME13.
August 1st, 2026 at 9:17 pm
Well well, the deal is out, they offered Baker over $50 million but he wanted longer than the 2 years and more guaranteed money. So by offering over $50 million apparently the owners think ol Bake is more than a middling qb. Well well well apparently those that know, know more than those that don’t know, that being the haters that claim Baker is middling. Hilarious, I mean hilarious 😂
$50,000,000+ Far from average…. losers
August 1st, 2026 at 9:19 pm
I no longer follow the Bolts or the Rays and after this plays out I’m saying bye-bye to the Bucs thus completing my full withdrawal from pro sports including NASCAR and college sports. I place them all on the same level as politics and politicians and technocrats.
August 1st, 2026 at 9:19 pm
The Bucs are going on the March for Arch 2027 Draft 🤣
August 1st, 2026 at 9:21 pm
It would be funny if we traded him to Cleveland. 😂
August 1st, 2026 at 9:22 pm
Beej, you are right Baker has never asked for Dak money, but that means nothing to the haters. In their ears they heard Baker beg and cry for Dak money.
August 1st, 2026 at 9:23 pm
Baker also said he didn’t want to reset the market, or.something, so I doubt he demanded $60M. The reality, though, is that both sides are playing coy with hints and clues. If and when someone releases an actual offer document, or at minimum the full details of a specific order, I’ll take them seriously. Until then, we’re all being played.
August 1st, 2026 at 9:26 pm
specific offer
August 1st, 2026 at 9:30 pm
Now we’re listening to Tiki??? Hahahahahaha!!!
August 1st, 2026 at 9:31 pm
Coincidence ? HA HA
1. ME13 – expensive, old and at the end of a contract.
2. Vita – expensive, old and at the end of a contract.
3. Baker – expensive old and at the end of a contract.
4. Bowles – old, ineffective and at the end of a contract.
August 1st, 2026 at 9:36 pm
Before my chops get busted by “end of contract” I was figuratively speaking.
August 1st, 2026 at 9:37 pm
I am so sick and tired of people who are talking about trading Mayfield and Vea because this team is incapable of a Super Bowl run. Who among all of you really
Know or really have a clue. How many of you had the Patriots going to the Super Bowl this past Feb. how many people take a step back via trade and then take two steps Forward? How Many of you had the 7-5 Brady team rolling to the Super Bowl (besides Tony Romo (who did indeed call it). This talk is so ridiculous. All of it.
August 1st, 2026 at 9:42 pm
This fan base & Joe is going off the rails they ain’t trading Baker or Vea. Maybe they are not here next year but they are here now. I don’t care what somebody in New York is starting rumors about why Joe would even write about it just to satisfy the haters that seem to drive this site ..
August 1st, 2026 at 9:42 pm
In a more recent interview Baker quipped that he “wasn’t trying to reset the market” and talked about analyzing his peer comparables for value estimation.
He wasn’t asking for even close to $60 million.
And — he’s not “disgruntled”. He thinks the Bucs are going to have a special season and he’s excited about it. He certainly doesn’t want to be traded.
He originally said that he didn’t want to be distracted once camp started. I think that the issue was that the media wasn’t going to leave him alone. So he likely got to a point of saying “screw it” and just answered what was going on.
Sure, he said that he was “disappointed” and felt “a little bit disrespected”. We can debate whether or not this was unprofessional, but the guy just got it off his chest.
Did anyone doubt that sports media was going to feast on this? In actuality , this event was beneficial to the organization because there’s no such thing as bad publicity.
August 1st, 2026 at 9:46 pm
It does feel like it’s crumbling. I said on another article that this year is already off to a bad start and Bowles has proven he can’t keep a locker room focused and tight enough to overcome souring mentalities.
I don’t care what most of you have to say. The reason it’s all crumbling right now is Todd Bowles. The Glazers and Licht are also to blame, for not seeing what a ton of fans have seen the last 3 years.
We didn’t know it forsure at the time, although some smart fans here knew, keeping Todd over Liam set this franchise back 5-10 years.
If Coen was promoted and retained… Bucs win the division last year, they don’t lose Evans and the Glazers/Licht with these roster upgrades see a potential path to SB so they aren’t scared of spending money.
As it stands, Bowles sucks, Baker has his 8th OC in 8 years who was in over his head as admitted by the inept HC who hired him, Baker starts sucking for numerous reasons, the D continues to suck and now the brass is saying well geez Todd is great, guess we aren’t as good as we thought, is Baker bad? Can’t pay him. We maybe aren’t close… can’t pay Vea, can’t keep Mike and they feel a bunch of change coming.
Morons! Absolutely painful as a fan when this team hasn’t gotten close to its potential because of an absolute anchor at HC and DC! It’s infuriating. When this season is in the toilet and it all blows up, fire everyone and I will be here to say I told you so!
August 1st, 2026 at 9:46 pm
Bowles is the main reason prior are down on the Bucs.
Nobody has confidence in Bowles as a HC or as a DC.
Bowles is making us look bad at this point. To casual fans, analysts, and to players.
Thanks, Glazers.
August 1st, 2026 at 9:46 pm
Don’t forget that Bruce Arians used to babysit for the Barber twins.
That’s big talk coming from Tiki on a big platform.
August 1st, 2026 at 9:46 pm
*people
August 1st, 2026 at 9:46 pm
ATLBuc. Now, now. Calm down. Baker probably isn’t a selfish little runt. Kind of catchy, though.
Baker has only looked at fair, be real. He has less guaranteed money than any starting QB in the NFL, ATLBuc. Except those on rookie contracts. I’m sure the sticking point is guaranteed dollars, look at the guarantees the top 20 QBs in the league and when you see Baker dead at the bottom of the list?
And as these QBs sign extensions these coming years the guaranteed money will keep going up. And since Baker has hung 95 TD passes and over 12,000 passing yards and only 37 picks- not to mention 8 TD passes and only 2 picks in 3 playoff games these last 3 years?
Well, his running stats are top tier also. That he’s never missed a start adds value I would think. There’s major argument he’s been the best QB in the NFL these last 3 years on numbers alone.
Because you don’t like him ATLBuc doesn’t change the fact that debatably the top QB in this league the last 3 years is being fairly paid when he’s last in the most important line on the contract- guaranteed money.
Last in the league for a QB who has helped this team, and town, out in every way he can? Talent to set all time QB records every time you turn around?
ATLBuc- so you believe it’s fair that he sign a contract that guarantees him less money than any starting QB in this league. I’m thinking Baker is done if he continues seeing offers like that.
August 1st, 2026 at 9:49 pm
Man…this is embarrassing.
Imagine had they let bowles go, signed Liam as our head coach and just paid the players that performed well. Laid it all out on the line and hired a good defensive coordinator.
Man this dumpster fire is rolling!!!!
By this time next season no coach or player will want to sniff Tampa unless they suck and are desperate for work.
August 1st, 2026 at 9:57 pm
For all of you outside the WFAN broadcast area, Tiki does not actually bellow, but he is drowned out by those who do. Very entertaining in a catch-as-catch-can sort o way, but not exactly a symposium of sober thought. I imagine Ronde gets a kick out of his bro’s unsourced info’s assumed source. Baker the ringmaster at work!
August 1st, 2026 at 10:10 pm
exBrown02, I really like Baker, and I think the Bucs are probably making a mistake, but “disrespected” is disgruntled. I’m not criticizing him; it just is what it is.
August 1st, 2026 at 10:14 pm
I always thought qb’s played their best ball in their early 30’s. But in Bakers instance he is almost done at 32. Hilarious. This is probably his last year, heck he’ll be in a wheelchair after this year. What a joke.
August 1st, 2026 at 10:16 pm
If Baker leaves, we will regret it more than Cleveland did.
August 1st, 2026 at 10:24 pm
Sign him to a 4 year deal !!!!
Don’t tell me he’s not worth it. If you think that, you don’t know football at all.
Healthy O- line, WRs, RBs, better OC… Like two years ago, he’s going to be a top five quarterback this year again. (Not to mention he’s healthy now).
Baker v Mahomes last 2 yrs:
Pass yds:
8544 to 8111
TDs:
69 to 53
Completion %:
67.9 to 67.3
Passer rating:
100.7 to 93
INTs:
26 to 25
August 1st, 2026 at 10:53 pm
What the heck are we doing here? The only logical thing I can think of is the Glazers have Tomlin lined up for next year. Todd out. Licht out. Tomlin is HC/GM and they will just sign the checks. What a damn mess…if we still had season Tix I’d be asking for a refund. This year seems more and more like a throw away year. I feel bad for the fans that paid to see this live in that heat.
-David
August 1st, 2026 at 11:04 pm
When you have a s-show before the season starts what does one the regular season hold? The whole fiasco further reveals the lack of structure and discipline within the entire Bucs organization! The only way to salvage the future of the organization is to clean house top to bottom and don’t look back! New owner, GM and coaches would be the initial change. Since it will not happen, the s-show will move own to the next act.
August 1st, 2026 at 11:19 pm
Just pay the guy – give him 5 years and make the last two voidable – the franchise is being stupid here
August 1st, 2026 at 11:20 pm
-Agrees with Kenton, yet again. Baker’s stats speak for themselves. We are insane for not giving him a long term deal and this team could have been really good this year if a pass rush happens to spring up. And I think it will.
What a tremendous waste.
August 1st, 2026 at 11:31 pm
Well well well
Epitomizes the ignorant football fan who, for some reason, ignores Baker was injured last year, and so was the O line, WRs, main RB, and they had an OC that was horrendous.
Baker easily has 4 solid years left
August 1st, 2026 at 11:40 pm
#1bucsfan Says:
I believe baker is better than dak. Is tiki serious about that ? Lol
You have to remember that Tiki is a Giant and would take any chance to take a dig at the Cowboys.
I personally think that everyone around the league sees Bowles as the problem. His defense was awful and he lost the locker room last season. They see Mike Evans leaving and remember 3rd and 28, not realizing the WR room is packed and Evans wants 1000 yards. People blame Bowles….. Back to Evans, with Pearsall out, it looks like it will be the CMac/Kittle/Evans show in San Fran if Mike avoids getting hurt, a big if. Anyhow, I digress, Tampa should have launched Bowles….. Could Tampa tank for Arch?
August 1st, 2026 at 11:50 pm
Tomlin’s a really boring coach. I’d rather have Bowles by a mile. There aren’t very many coaches I’d be excited about bringing in here that don’t already have firm jobs. So let’s try to have a good season, instead. They could have given Baker like a 7M dollar raise for this year then had his salary go up 4m for the next 3 like 47/51/55/59 for an aav of 53m and I guarantee Baker would have been happy with the first 3 years guaranteed and maybe a rolling part of the fourth activating later. It should have been really easy to do that and makes this team good for a long time. Maybe great. Absolutely crazy what they are doing now! FIX IT Bucs! Try that out and I’ll bet he signs it and is happy. Then figure out something for Vea maybe for this year and next only? We could go much farther this year than we think if only we could have a little luck with injuries for a change…?
August 2nd, 2026 at 12:07 am
The injuries excuses ain’t going to cut it this year Baker played bad the last 9 games. If he’s good as some of you guys say he is then we would have been in the playoffs. Baker can’t elevate the players around him . He need to go to a team that have a superbowl roster so he can just manage the game. The bucs don’t have a roster like that so Baker has to do to much. Baker is not a franchise quarterback at this point of his career rather yall want to belive it or not and Jason Licht know that the rest of the NFL teams don’t see him as a franchise quarterback because if they thought he was a franchise quarterback he would be singed right now.
August 2nd, 2026 at 12:17 am
All of this makes so much sense if you take a long lens view. There were not many obvious head coaching candidates/franchise QB’s available in the offseason. Let the HC/OC?QB and maybe GM have no choice but to produce and see what happens. Most everyone in the fanbase hates Bowles so why not put him in a horrible situation so he can be fired and then new HC/GM can pick their own QB?
August 2nd, 2026 at 12:26 am
Baker had both guards out the last 9 games and turnstiles playing in their place. Massive inside pass rush is the kiss of death for any QB but even worse for a shorter one. It was an impossible situation. Even the backups got injured. They aren’t excuses, they are facts.