Will New Vita Vea Deal Irk Baker Mayfield?
August 19th, 2026
So Vita Vea pouted about not having a contract extension entering the final year of his current deal and demanded a trade, He ended up cashing in today.
Baker Mayfield also pouted about entering the final year of his contract without what he deemed a proper contract extension and a raise. So how will Mayfield react to Vea’s new deal?
Mayfield is a volatile personality. Joe is not saying Mayfield needs mental help, only that he’s easily aroused about things that could be perceived as a slight to him.
And yes, Vea getting rewarded for holding in while Mayfield practiced and didn’t get a raise is something Mayfield could think is a slight.
The exact details of Vea’s raise are unclear, but Joe could see Mayfield asking for more money for 2026 on principle — Mayfield’s internal principal. ‘Hey, Glazers, Vita got more cash for his final year and the quarterback is way more important than a defensive tackle.’
Joe expects Mayfield to be very happy for his teammate tonight. But how Mayfield reacts next interests Joe.
August 19th, 2026 at 7:24 pm
I think that is a perfect resolution to this saga. We get Vita for 2 years, including this year. I like it! He’s on the other side of 30, but still very productive. Love that it’s just this year and one more.
August 19th, 2026 at 7:28 pm
Yawn. Mayfield will get paid it’s just a matter of time.
August 19th, 2026 at 7:28 pm
The new Vea deal, with the extra 6 mil this year, leaves the Bucs a mere 2.5 mil under the cap.
Sorry Baker! No deal for you!
At least this year, unless they cut players to free up some space.
And that, my fellow fans, is why I’m 100% against paying QB’s 50 mil a year. They eat up too much cap space and … THEY DON’T WIN SUPER BOWLS!
August 19th, 2026 at 7:29 pm
Hey Baker’s the one that put a deadline on making a deal.
August 19th, 2026 at 7:29 pm
I think Baked will see what the other players will see. The Bucs did the right thing in treating Vea right. I think Baker will feel good knowing the team does the right thing. If I am baker I am feeling good knowing the team will give him the right deal.
August 19th, 2026 at 7:29 pm
We’re planning for a Tom Brady comeback at QB next year.
August 19th, 2026 at 7:30 pm
“F” #6, who cares what he thinks, or what irks him, VV, helped us to win a SuperBowl, what has #6 down, but to let us down, time after time!!!!
August 19th, 2026 at 7:32 pm
Nope!
August 19th, 2026 at 7:34 pm
Who cares? Lol…he declined $50 million so that ego of his is in charge, not logic.
August 19th, 2026 at 7:36 pm
Joel and Jason need to get on the horn with Baker’s agent and get a deal done.
3yrs & $156M ($105M fully guaranteed) is the baseline minimum I could see appealing to Baker & that also makes sense to the Bucs.
Now, it more than likely assure that Godwin was not on the 2027 roster & the Bucs would need to find another solid WR in the draft…But that is much easier to get in the draft than finding a NFL QB1 type (late in the 1st) that balls out early on in his 1st contract.
August 19th, 2026 at 7:40 pm
Was Joe chanting incantations while writing this post?
August 19th, 2026 at 7:41 pm
The right man got the contract. Defense is the priority.
Vea knows how to win a title. Baker knows how to lose games in the 4th quarter.
It’s just that simple. Proven playoff success versus a proven choke artist.
Vea > Captain Choke
August 19th, 2026 at 7:42 pm
The difference is that Vea performs all year round.
August 19th, 2026 at 7:48 pm
Catcard——
Fine. Please explain where the money will come from?
You can’t just say, “pay the man” without telling us where it will come from, at least if you want to be taken seriously.
They have 2.5 million in room left to pay … anybody.
Who you gonna cut to pay your boy?
August 19th, 2026 at 7:48 pm
Sign Baker too! He’s great!
August 19th, 2026 at 7:49 pm
This article kinda brought me down.
August 19th, 2026 at 7:50 pm
Everyone knew it wouldn’t take the Media long to try to stir the pot. Now who will be the first to ask him tonight or at practice.
August 19th, 2026 at 7:50 pm
Baker’s not beyond self control or letting fire rush to your head. Joe’s favorite local newspaper reported recently that Baker made mends with his family over the lawsuit thing. Same discourse with team business is plausible.
August 19th, 2026 at 7:54 pm
They are gonna take care of Baker too, this team is going to be special!
August 19th, 2026 at 7:56 pm
the glazers won’t wanna pay 80m for baker for one year next year (if we franchise tag then his 30m dead money has to be paid next year, vs extending him it can be spread out). but baker wants more years and more guaranteed money. i’m guessing his agent asked for 5 years. doubt the bucs want to commit to more than 3… so if a deal doesn’t get done, yall better hope daniel’s keeps progressing because the way this team is shaping up, no way we’ll get a top qb in the draft and baker will walk right out to one of the 4 teams with solid rosters and a “?” at the qb position.
i’d rather have 5 more years baker than another lost decade. any day of the week and thrice on sunday.
August 19th, 2026 at 7:57 pm
Whoever wrote this is ignoring that Baker spoke to Vea’s contract situation in the very press conference when he talked about his own situation. Baker’s a team player, he’s never going to begrudge an important defender getting a market deal.
August 19th, 2026 at 7:58 pm
What the heck was SF5 wearing at practice 2day
August 19th, 2026 at 7:58 pm
@Anyhony, don’t let this article bring you down. It’s just the normal, negative reaction bait based off nothing Joe throws out from time to time.
August 19th, 2026 at 8:02 pm
“is why I’m 100% against paying QB’s 50 mil a year. They eat up too much cap space and … THEY DON’T WIN SUPER BOWLS!”
what a drop down dumb statement. show me a superbowl winner that didn’t have a competent qb?
the few of you (with multiple sock puppet accounts) with Baker derangement syndrome never cease to make fools of yourself
August 19th, 2026 at 8:03 pm
I bet the Glazers told Licht and Greenberg to get a deal done for Baker before the first game.
August 19th, 2026 at 8:08 pm
I’m betting they talked to Baker and got his input first. He knows the deal.
Technically, they could drum up the money for Baker by kicking cans down the road.
August 19th, 2026 at 8:26 pm
Sure. After how many years?
August 19th, 2026 at 8:27 pm
CB Rd1 next year
Time to sign a DB once the cuts happen
August 19th, 2026 at 8:28 pm
It shouldn’t. Cause, ONE MORE TIME, for those who have such a difficult time with comprehension… Baker was OFFERED 2-EXTRA YEARS (on top of this one), at $105-$110MIL+ according to WDAE’s own T-Krass TODAY, which would’ve made HIM a Top-5 ‘HIGHEST’ PAID QB. And, LoL Thank God… HE REFUSED IT. It’s pure ignorance. He’s not going to get anything EVEN CLOSE to that this next offseason if he’s allowed to hit the open market… UNLESS, he has a career type season. That’s the ONLY WAY. He’s going to be looking back on his career (here, very soon) with TONS of regret. Ya know, he’s already been HERE once before, and misplayed his hand (wanting and demanding DAK $$$)… I guess, he’s never been able to get past that (guaranteed that was exactly’the deal’ he wanted and expected again). He’s a MORON. He’s got little man’s ego and disease.
August 19th, 2026 at 8:29 pm
Vea has the recipe.
If I was Mayfield, I’d be absent tomorrow. And the next day.
And I’d say, “hey, am I less important than a part time NG?”
Al this proves is doing it the right way is wrong.
August 19th, 2026 at 8:32 pm
The Bucs should be about ready by now, to finally move on from Baker Mayfield, at the end of the season.
August 19th, 2026 at 8:33 pm
I respect Baker. Vita showed his true lack of character.
August 19th, 2026 at 8:33 pm
Baker is Next Thank You for getting Vita Locked up for to his an next year makes this defense Alot better
August 19th, 2026 at 8:33 pm
Baker not worth the money simple and plain
August 19th, 2026 at 8:34 pm
Baker is Next Thank You for getting Vita Locked up for to his an next year makes this defense Alot better are Vita AWJ an Wirfs the the Only Super Bowl winners left on the team
August 19th, 2026 at 8:35 pm
Godwin Jr to
August 19th, 2026 at 8:36 pm
Baker is going to show up at camp tomorrow with a bummed back.
August 19th, 2026 at 8:41 pm
“Needs mental help”? Why would you even suggest such a thing, Joe? Or presume that his response will be wildly irrational. To be a bit more sober, caving to Vea means that someone is not going along with all the Little Mary Sunshine vibes about the new front seven on the defense, especially the linemen. That is not a good sign regarding the overall enthusiasm emanating from the training camp.
August 19th, 2026 at 8:47 pm
The squeakiest wheel gets the grease.
Bake will get his at some point, if he has a great season.
August 19th, 2026 at 8:47 pm
All you cooters who make smart guy comments about Mayfield would be blubbering snot and wailing like a baby if Baker walked right now.
And you clowns who think a part time NG is more important than a QB are football ignorant.
August 19th, 2026 at 8:48 pm
I’d be pissed if I was Baker but baker did get a pay bump last year right?
August 19th, 2026 at 8:48 pm
*But i would rather go cheap at QB and give the team to Daniels after this season and see what he can do.
August 19th, 2026 at 8:53 pm
Laughing Licht got to be a “hero” by topping off a malcontent…who is basically now on a 2 year severance ride/plan. But at least VV ain’t mad at him any longer.
Just watch VV’s effort and durability these next two years. I hope I’m wrong but I see some self-preservation with a potential side of loaf.
August 19th, 2026 at 8:56 pm
Baker could have been paid they offered him 2 years 100 plus million which would have given him 50 million per year. He wanted longer and Vita said screw it I will do just two years and get my extra money now.
August 19th, 2026 at 8:57 pm
Mayfield certainly could have gotten a single year extension. I seriously doubt this will bother him.
August 19th, 2026 at 9:01 pm
Vita is a SB CHAMPION!!!!!
If baker was a TRUE LEADER and was confident he’s going to have the best season of his career, then he’ll STFU and play ball
But we all know baker is sensitive and all about himself….his ego, mouth and lack of playoff wins ain’t worth a pay raise!!!!!
PROVE IT BAKER
GO BUCS
August 19th, 2026 at 9:02 pm
Baker just needs to succeed and he gets a good contract. If he has top 10 QB stats (passing yards, TDs, completion %, low INT/fumbles) and/or 10+ wins then he gets a good deal. If he plays average then he gets an average deal. If he plays bad he gets a bad deal. Be it with the Bucs or elsewhere.
August 19th, 2026 at 9:12 pm
Bucsfan81
BINGO
baker and his agent overvalued themselves
GO BUCS
August 19th, 2026 at 9:14 pm
Waiting for a “franchise quarterbacks” overreaction to defensive tackle getting a one year extension hahaha 👍🏼
August 19th, 2026 at 9:18 pm
I don’t understand WHY or HOW this is SO HARDDDD to understand… Over 30+YEAR-OLD QB’s (especially with Baker’s pedigree of play, injuries, and distractions) do NOT get deals longer than (a true fresh) 3-YEARS at MAX-level MONEY, who were not DRAFTED by the team signing or extending them. Outside of Super Bowl WINNER & Runner Up (and top notch true LEADER, on and off the field, with ZERO ‘distractions’ EVER)… Russell Wilson. I don’t know HOW MANY times it has to be said. Baker was using comps from YOUNG QB’s, who were all extended at like 25-26 YEARS-OLD. When, it is just entirely ‘unrealistic’ HISTORICALLY. He’s wanting Dak $$$$ AGAIN, and he’s just NOT as good as Dak #1, but #2, Dak is THE ‘definition’ of a true LEADER. And, about EVERY NFL and College Coach will admit THAT. That, there isn’t a BETTER “Leader” at the position. And, you CAN’T say that about BAKER. His OWN reputation based from his OWN ‘actions’ through the years, SAYS THAT. It’s not some secret. He’s just NOT the type of LEADER most teams and coaches are looking for in THEIR QUARTERBACK. You CAN’T TRUST HIM. On MANY different levels. He’s a ticking time bomb. A LOOSE CANNON. Add that with his play, age, injury history, and being undersized… And, HE is not worth the risk at MAX-level $$$. Thank-God for the Bucs, that HE REFUSED their offer. They truly have dodged the bullet. There will be other much CHEAPER, more LOGICAL options. Especially, with brand new leadership (HC and GM) in town next season.
August 19th, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Baker plays a more important position, but Vita is just as important as a player and cheaper than the position Baker plays.
That simple, but Mayfield has no grounds to be made about this as the time allegedly offers him double what Vita is making after this new deal and he turned it down. That’s his thing, when he’s pissed he allegedly plays better so go make your money this season.
August 19th, 2026 at 9:25 pm
Unless, he has a career type of year, I would like to hope to GOD that the Bucs have seen ENOUGH of Baker by now… Especially, after witnessing firsthand how he handled not getting his little way, during this most recent offseason. I hope the Bucs memory is deep and STRONG.
August 19th, 2026 at 9:27 pm
Moxie don’t hate, right?!
August 19th, 2026 at 9:43 pm
Baker will show up and play this year and have a great year ,,, a true leader and professional ,, You guys think the Bake show can be replaced by a running QB w an inaccurate arm are funny
August 19th, 2026 at 9:47 pm
Baker isn’t worth the money he’s making this season.
He went 2-7 down the stretch when the team needed him most.
Could have easily been 0-9 if not for two of the worst teams in the league.
And in the worst division in football we missed the playoffs.
He’s lucky to still have a job.
August 19th, 2026 at 9:48 pm
how can irk him ? he got the first bite at the apple and turned it down.
Screw him, his rant, and how he thinks.
August 19th, 2026 at 9:52 pm
JA Says:
August 19th, 2026 at 7:48 pm
Catcard——
Fine. Please explain where the money will come from?
You can’t just say, “pay the man” without telling us where it will come from, at least if you want to be taken seriously.
They have 2.5 million in room left to pay … anybody.
Who you gonna cut to pay your boy?
___________________________________________________________
JA: Did I even mention “new money” in 2026 for Baker?? Don’t think so…I spoke of extending Baker for 3 more years…That’s 2027-2029 seasons. He’s already signed for 2026…He hasn’t stated he expects a pay raise now, just wants a new contract that puts him in the right Zillow zip code of other QB1 contracts..(>$50M/yr – with enough yrs & comparable guaranteed money to other QB1 contracts)
Now, if that is not clear enough & you still require more specifics about who has to go to make sure the Bucs have the coin to pay Baker – It’s Chris Godwin. His 2027 (Club Option) money is not fully guaranteed and he is also reaching the age-performance decline threshold for WR’s – playing his age 30+ season in 2026. (31.5 to start the 2027 season).
To me, that makes CG expendable – Especially given that McMillian, Embuka, Tez & Hurst are all still on rookie deals in 2027…Designate CG as a post-June 1 cut next off-season & put $22M of cap space back on the books to cover Baker’s pay raise.
There will be other roster shuffling, as YaYa – Mauch – and a bunch of other 2 deep players are on 1yr deals….But that’s fairly normal & non of those guys are going to be paid top dollar…So, keeping the right core together makes sense to me.
August 19th, 2026 at 10:06 pm
Most of the folks who post on the Joes’ site lean to the objective side of the issues but a handful flow down the subjective side of any issue dealing with Baker! Will he do this or will he do that all the time making assumptions of what he will do. Baker, through his own words is focused on this season and voids any distractions that interferes with that process! In my opinion, win or lose, his time with the Bucs ends in February next year! Paraphrasing the words of RMN, you folks won’t have Baker to kick around any more!
August 19th, 2026 at 10:09 pm
Joe, Enough with the psychoanalysis. You do not have the credentials. Stay in your lane.
August 19th, 2026 at 10:12 pm
Okiejim—
Good one, but if your intent is to educate by alluding to Dick’s reaction after losing the California governorship, you are barking up the wrong cluster of trees.
Nonetheless, I applaud the effort.
Thanks!
August 19th, 2026 at 10:21 pm
You know what help gets Baker paid… wins.
He isn’t dumb enough to believe Vea won’t help him achieve his ultimate goals.
I agree with the comment up top… yawn… matter of time for Baker unless he folds in on himself this season.
August 19th, 2026 at 10:23 pm
Baker better hope Daniels doesn’t catch on to this offense too quick. If Buc fans really want to see a dynasty, give Licht a cheap QB way under market value for 2 or 3 seasons and see who walks in play with him. And coach him, for that matter.
Hoping to botch the cap with Baker is not being a fan with any understanding of the game.
August 19th, 2026 at 10:25 pm
Carcard——
So, were you referring to making the call now to extend Baker for three years after 26’, locking him up for four years? (Rhetorical Q as you stated that, but I had to catch my breath).
That’s a bad phone call at this juncture, a very bad phone call!
For many of us, 26’ is a prove it year for Baker. Let him show us his stuff.
August 19th, 2026 at 10:25 pm
Baker wants 4-5 years of guaranteed starter qb money. Not a 24 months.
Click question successful.
August 19th, 2026 at 10:26 pm
I don’t think Baker is upset at all !
Baker wants VV’s strength on the Defense, which will result in more Bucs wins, and a new contract for Baker !!
It’s looking better all the time for the defense- strong pressure up the middle- strong edge rush – Quarterbacks Beware !!
Go Bucs !!
August 19th, 2026 at 10:35 pm
Mike Buc——
What does competence have to do with making 50 mil and winning the Super Bowl? NOTHING!
Other than Mahomes, who now is suffering with bad players around him due to his greed, it’s NEVER BEEN DONE!
I try to be respectful in these pages, but sometimes I think some of you are lab experiments gone wrong.
August 19th, 2026 at 10:35 pm
2026 is a prove it yr for Baker???
Riddle me this…Where does Baker stand in Passing Yards and Passing TD’s among NFL QB’s the last 3 yrs…With 3 different OC’s & ever changing WR & OL availability???
#2 in TD’s and #3 in Passing Yards.
August 19th, 2026 at 11:27 pm
The point has been argued ad nauseam.
This is where I say, “What about the games he’s cost us, choked?”
As a Baker sycophant, this irritates you.
You might resort to a preadolescent response, like calling me a “moron.” Who knows?
Point is, i think they should let him play this season out before deciding. You do not.
No matter, who knows what next year will bring?
August 19th, 2026 at 11:32 pm
Love them stats catcard 202 !! Baker is a potential Championship Quarterback!!
Go Bucs !!
August 19th, 2026 at 11:41 pm
JA says “I try to be respectful in these pages”. Hehehehe.
JA says “sometimes I think some of you are lab experiments gone wrong”. Hahahaha.
Nice JA. Nice.
August 20th, 2026 at 12:09 am
At 50 a year by the end of next season will be a bargain for a starting QB in the NFL. Baker has already given Tampa 3 years of sweetheart deals. He saved the Bucs last 3 seasons because of all the Tom Brady dead money. Pay the man. Everyone just sees the 50 demand. It the going rate. Get your head out of your axes Bucs fans. Look at it from a league perspective not your crummy life and crummy paying job. Everyone wants max value at their job. Baker is just like the rest of us. Your coworker makes 30 an hour. Do you say nah, I’ll work for 20 when you are in the top 20% or higher in your field? Didn’t think so.
August 20th, 2026 at 12:46 am
Bartow Buc Says:
August 19th, 2026 at 10:26 pm
I don’t think Baker is upset at all !
Baker wants VV’s strength on the Defense, which will result in more Bucs wins, and a new contract for Baker !!
It’s looking better all the time for the defense- strong pressure up the middle- strong edge rush – Quarterbacks Beware !!
Go Bucs !!
—————————————–
Bartow Buc: Bingo! Thanks for saving me the keystrokes!
August 20th, 2026 at 1:17 am
I don’t see it. Baker wears his emotions on his sleeve and we’ve seen him with a chip in his shoulder often, but typically one of his teammates getting paid isn’t one of the things he seems to get spun up about.
August 20th, 2026 at 1:44 am
I hope Baker is mad, since that’s when he plays his best. Hopefully he takes it as being an incredibly disrespectful move – because when people are patting him on his back telling him he’s great, that’s when he falls apart and plays like trash.
August 20th, 2026 at 2:07 am
JA, good for you that at least you recognized tricky Dick by his initials! Before his political career derailed in Watergate, what happened next in RMN life? 2026 could be Baker’s 1968 or perhaps his Watergate, either direction in 2027 Buc subjective fans will not have him to kick around any more!
August 20th, 2026 at 2:59 am
JA, remember RMN made one more comeback and Baker will do the same!
August 20th, 2026 at 3:05 am
It’s Baker’s fault for choking in key moments, bad record against good team at prime time, no win after the bye week after looking like a MVP, and etc. Some folks just love mediocrity as long as it someone they like.
August 20th, 2026 at 6:27 am
At the end of last month, Baker said, “Hopefully Vita gets his back fixed and gets his deal done; he’s the second-longest-tenured Buc behind Chris (Godwin), and Vita deserves that. He is the anchor of our defense, and I hope they take care of him.”
Pretty sure he meant that then and believes it now. A short field is an even better friend than a solid running game. Baker’s going to get his money one way or another. He may get far more than he was hoping to get if the Glazers stupidly let this play out through the end of the season. If Baker is anywhere near his 24 year, he’ll be looking for and get $60+ million for at least three years from some team.
August 20th, 2026 at 7:00 am
There is only one opinion of Baker that matters. It’s not mine, Joe’s or anyone that does not work for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The person responsible for negotiating the contract between Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers said to everyone he is a franchise quarterback.
Baker said thank you, pay me like one. A 2 year deal is not a franchise quarterback contract.
It’s really that simple. JL nobody made you say it.
August 20th, 2026 at 7:04 am
Joe … ‘The exact details of Vea’s raise are unclear, but Joe could see Mayfield asking for more money for 2026 on principle — Mayfield’s internal principal. ‘Hey, Glazers, Vita got more cash for his final year and the quarterback is way more important than a defensive tackle.’
Wow Joe, I normally get so intrigued with your ‘bottom line’ that I nearly missed the ‘almost bottom line’ above. Looks like you’re saying that you could see Baker ‘tweaking his back’ between now & Game 1 to get more $$$ for THIS year. I can’t; Baker’s always been perfectly willing to ‘bet on himself’ and that’s what he’s doing now. The Bucs just improved his odds of winning the bet by signing Vea, and he knows it.
I think that most of us would agree that our defense is better WITH Vea than without Vea. Still, what does that translate to in terms of how well this defense can do this year? We’ve made some excellent additions to our defense this off-season. As long as we stay reasonably healthy, there’s no reason that this defense can’t significantly improve on it’s 2025 performance (ranking #20 overall in Points Allowed).
We look to have the talent to be a Top-10 defense this year. The last year we were Top-10 was in 2023, Baker’s first year here with Canales as his OC. Bucs’ 2023 defense was the best it’s been since 2008 … allowing only 325 pts (19.1 PPG average), Baker’s offense however only ranked #20 … scoring only 348 pts (20.5 PPG average) … and we only finished 9-8 on the season (mostly because we lost 6-out-of-7 games after our BYE week).
That’s NOT a good offense (even though it won Canales a HCing gig). Baker’s 2nd year here (2024) was a superb offense … scoring a whopping 502 pts (29.5 PPG average). Baker had his best career year by far, and the Bucs’ offense ranked #4 that year. Still though, we finished only 10-7 largely because our defense crapped the bed & fell all the way to a #16 ranking (allowing 385 pts scored … 22.6 PPG average).
Point being: IF our defense can climb back into the Top-10 again (doable) and IF Baker can have another career year & get our offense back into the Top-10 (that’s HIS bet), THEN this 2026 team is poised to do some damage & have a very good year. And yes, that includes potentially taking us all the way to the Super Bowl.
August 20th, 2026 at 7:34 am
not if you take baker at his word its all ball now. Vita makes the team better now which is good for ball.
August 20th, 2026 at 8:22 am
The delusion, overhype, and infatuation around average boy baker is real. SMH. He’s not the answer long term, if licht doesn’t draft a qb in the best and deepest qb class next draft he needs to get fired on draft night, he’s bad at drafting anyway (other than o line and wr). I never seen half a fan base accept mediocrity like baker before, it’s really weird. And concerning.
August 20th, 2026 at 8:51 am
The Bucs now only have $2.5 million to spend. Baker can want, but Baker can’t have what he wants. It just isn’t there.
Frankly, I’m surprised the Vea deal got done.
August 20th, 2026 at 9:39 am
@ja
try to be respectful in these pages, but sometimes I think some of you are lab experiments gone wrong.
In your idiotic answer I noticed you dodged answering the question
August 20th, 2026 at 10:56 am
Alabama……. No he won’t.
August 20th, 2026 at 2:20 pm
The Bucs now only have $2.5 million to spend. Baker can want, but Baker can’t have what he wants. It just isn’t there.
if anything Baker’s position just got stronger. Franchise tags counts immediately against the cap