Heck Yes, Bucs Got Major Discount On Baker Mayfield
June 14th, 2025
Fair market value.
Unless he has a downright horrible 2025, Baker Mayfield isn’t going to be working on the cheap for much longer.
Over at ESPN, Dan Graziano looked at every quarterback situation and, yes, that includes the Bucs.
The Bucs’ situation is etched in stone. Mayfield is the franchise quarterback. And unless he gets hurt or he inexplicably goes downhill quickly, Mayfield will be your Tampa Bay quarterback for years.
Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht leans on Mayfield. Bucs coach Todd Bowles likes him. Mayfield’s teammates love him.
That doesn’t Mayfield will be the best bargain at quarterback in the league forever. Graziano explored Mayfield’s contract that runs through 2026 with 2025 being the final year of guaranteed cash.
The three-year contract that Mayfield signed with the Bucs last offseason pays him $33.3 million per year. He has $30 million coming this season and $40 million in 2026, though none of the 2026 money is guaranteed. The deal is certainly nothing to sneeze at, but consider that the top of the QB market right now is $55 to $60 million per year. Consider also that no quarterback in the NFL has thrown more touchdown passes over the past two regular seasons than Mayfield (69).
If Mayfield has another big season — with a third different offensive coordinator in three years — he could be in line for an even bigger contract extension next offseason.
If Mayfield plays the same as he has played the last two years, he’s not going anywhere. But Joe is pretty confident Mayfield might walk up to Licht and say, “Hey, Lama — HEY! How about a little something, you know, for the effort?“
In the meantime, Licht and capologist assistant general manager Mike Greenberg will whip up salary cap hocus pocus and find a way to give Mayfield a fair raise while also freeing up money under the cap.
Mayfield is just one of several players who will expect a payday in the next two years, including Calijah Kancey, Zyon McCollum, Luke Goedeke, Logan Hall and Cody Mauch. Hopefully, that list grows with Mike Evans and Lavonte David.
June 14th, 2025 at 8:16 am
It’s probably true that he’s in line for a raise. But to get one the Bucs will have to win a bunch of games this year. So whoever is making those decisions should be prepared to “pony up”.
June 14th, 2025 at 8:20 am
Out of 15 QB’s making over 40 Million only 5 are actually worth the money. Mayfield deserves more money, but I feel the NFL owners are getting tired of paying sub-par players 25% of their entire salary cap.
June 14th, 2025 at 8:20 am
Because of a season off essentially you have,a healthy 30 year old with 7 years of NFL experience under 8 different OC,s . He basically knows everything and really does not need an OC. He will make this next guy look good and the dood will ride off with generational wealth. Meanwhile Mahomes is beat up and like every QB that rely s on scrambling or running is dropping off fast. Baker will be more like Brady who played well into his mid,40’s.
June 14th, 2025 at 8:26 am
Wow, the Bucs have soooo many big URFAs next year. This will be a tough task for Mr Licht and company to keep this team even semi intact.
June 14th, 2025 at 8:27 am
Hey Joe…see JIMI, does Baker use the pitchfork too for emphasis? “So I got that coming”
June 14th, 2025 at 8:30 am
Next contract will be 5 years+
June 14th, 2025 at 8:31 am
Marky mark, I’m a big believer in Baker but I don’t think he’ll play past 35 or 36 years old. Maybe 37 or 38. But that’s some pretty big years left for the Bucs to establish an identity!
June 14th, 2025 at 8:33 am
Cade Otton also is up after this year
June 14th, 2025 at 8:37 am
Check me if I’m wrong Sandy but if I kill every golfer they’re going to lock me up and throw away the key.
Gopher you Greek not golfer!
June 14th, 2025 at 8:43 am
Mayfield has exceed expectations. I do think about the Lions interception and the Washington sweep fumble. Still got to score there so who knows. Makes me feel like Dungy days of almost. Tampa got lucky to get him and I’m rooting to see him down tall boys at the boat parade. That’s a lot of players to feed soon though.
June 14th, 2025 at 8:59 am
i dont see the bucs paying 50+ per year for a qb. they will all of a sudden become “defensive minded” and other marketing terms still tbd. “we want youth and speed” etc etc. enjoy it while it lasts…
June 14th, 2025 at 9:37 am
If he has the year everyone is expecting/hoping, u pay dat man, pay dat man his monies!
June 14th, 2025 at 9:41 am
It’s hard to gauge what his next contract will be regarding what’s a fair deal for his play, due to the salary cap rising every year. Baker gets to $50M per, which that’s the noise many of us are hearing, we will see where this team goes from there. Baker success is predicated on talent around him and not the other way around, and unfortunately you can’t pay everyone.
Example, if Devin White played to his potential, and we paid him last season, and it was $20M per, which is what he was going to be demanding, do you think all the guys we signed on our own team get signed back to us? Remember last offseason, when the best free agent signing to help us at pass rush was the fickle Randy Gregory, why? WE WERE BROKE. We signed David, Baker, Wirfs, Evans, Winfield, McLaughlin, not to mention some other smaller role players that offseason. Who stays, who goes if White gets paid? Remember, we were still digging ourselves out of the dead cap hole from the Brady Era run.
Not our problem as fans, but it’s context to the discussion when the fans our clamoring to pay Baker. Baker at $30M per is allowing this team to work on allocating weapons, and/or retaining said weapons to help him win games for us. Let’s hope Baker is a bit more modest than Winfield and Wirfs when it comes to his extension. At the very least, make it incentive based for that extra chunk. Trying to outdo guys like Brock Purdy, is just dumb business for both parties. Success breads opportunity, and it’s easier to have success when you’re consistently loaded with talent. The more success this guy has, especially winning on the national stage, and this cat is back doing commercials where he’s living at the football stadium again, etc.
June 14th, 2025 at 9:53 am
He could get all Brady-esque and take a good contract, but one that leaves money so he can have quality teammates.
He seems like the type.
June 14th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Extend him now ,,, 3 more years at 45 to 50 ,,, that’s the next 5 years at an average of 42 ,,, in 5 years that will look like a really good deal!!!
June 14th, 2025 at 10:16 am
For all the remaining Baker doubters here is a deal for you. Would you trade Baker to the Browns for Deshaun Watson and any 2 QB’s on Browns roster that includes Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders, and the rookie 3rd round pick Dillon Gabriel? There you have it: 3QB’s for one Baker Mayfield. Watson is not going to play this year so Bucs would be obligated for his $50Million guaranteed in 2025 but Bucs would control Watson for 2026 season at another $50mllion.
June 14th, 2025 at 10:20 am
Favorite quote, the priest after he missed the putt on the last hole in the monsoon gets hammered in the bar.
“There is no God!”
June 14th, 2025 at 10:30 am
As luck would have it we don’t have to worry about that till after the season. Baker is under contract for the next two years, this year not being a question. I’m sure it’ll be the number one topic after the season, but for now, it’s not worth mentioning.
June 14th, 2025 at 10:39 am
If Baker has another great year, guarantee 30 of his 40 next season or something like that and give him 2 more years at 45 million with 60-70 guaranteed.
Baker seems like the guy who would accept something like that to help the squad and stay in sunny tax free Florida.
June 14th, 2025 at 10:49 am
I was not a Baker fan.
June 14th, 2025 at 10:49 am
I was wrong
June 14th, 2025 at 11:18 am
So the Lama says, “There won’t be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness. So I got that going for me, which is nice.”
June 14th, 2025 at 11:19 am
We got him for cheap?
Hindsight with zero historical perspective.
Baker was an ABSOLUTE NFL JOKE before the Bucs. The Bucs gave Baker the only starting CHANCE he could get and then far and away the biggest contract he could get. He owes Licht, Evans, and the Bucs a huge thank you.
June 14th, 2025 at 11:42 am
SlyPirate Says:
June 14th, 2025 at 11:19 am
We got him for cheap?
Hindsight with zero historical perspective.
Baker was an ABSOLUTE NFL JOKE before the Bucs. The Bucs gave Baker the only starting CHANCE he could get and then far and away the biggest contract he could get. He owes Licht, Evans, and the Bucs a huge thank you.
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Baker set the NFL rookie record for QB TD’s in 2018 despite playing in only 13 games. Baker took the Browns to a playoff victory in 2020 versus Steelers and a near second round win versus eventual SB winner Chiefs. Baker played the entire 2021 season with a serious shoulder injury. Mayfield was NOT A JOKE. The joke is on fools like you who stay stupid stuff not knowing what you are talking about.
June 14th, 2025 at 12:19 pm
As Licht often says, “with no state sales tax” Baker is making quite a bit more than it looks, already.
June 14th, 2025 at 12:24 pm
Nice Spackler quote.
June 14th, 2025 at 12:25 pm
The Bucs manufactured $29 million in Cap Space by mortgaging the contracts of certain players against the Cap Space of future years.
Some have speculated (and hoped) that the Bucs will spend some of that on a free agent, often an ILB, after more cuts are made.
The Bucs have been dispensing so much Kool Aid about how strong they are at ILB that I don’t buy the ILB signing anymore, which is not to say that I am drinking the Kool Aid with regard to how expect the ILB position to work out * I hope that my expectations are disproved by a pleasant surprise.
Some of that could be $30 million in manufactured Cap Space could be used to extend Mayfield.
But, I suspect that a good bit of it is devoted to rolling over to cover next year’s dead money. Mike Evans is owed $13 million in void year dead money. If he retires after setting the record for consecutive 1,000 yard seasons, or after failing to set the record, that dead money will come due.
That leaves about $16 million to roll over if it is not used for emergency signings to cover injuries.
June 14th, 2025 at 12:46 pm
@Gipper,
Absolutely 100. The sad joke for Baker was being drafted by the Browns. The Browns would derail Joe Montana and Tom Brady faster than the fans could put a paper bag on.
June 14th, 2025 at 12:52 pm
Baker is a mid-tier QB.
He does fine throwing the ball 15 yards or less.
Too many fumbles (13) – led the NFL.
Too many INTs (16) – led the NFL
Too many blocked passes – top 5 in the NFL
He needs to learn how to slide and protect himself better rather than pretending to be Mike Alstott.
If he can reduce the turnovers and take better care of the football this season he absolutely deserves a more lucrative deal.
I am hopeful this happens.
June 14th, 2025 at 1:22 pm
Kind of amazed that TB fans could still be bickering over Baker and questioning his value to the team.
QB salaries are way out of control BUT since that’s reality how could anyone think Tua, Trevor, Dak, and on and on and on are worth 10-15 mil more per year than he is. Even Watson is making more Bake 🤣
We’ll re-up Baker @ 50+ mill per year or more. He’ll be willing to work with the team but he’ll want at least Purdy $ and will get it.
June 14th, 2025 at 1:30 pm
I agree with Marine Buc, he’s got a lot of work to do with his individual game.
But how does he make the TEAM better? When has put the team on his back and won a PLAYOFF game?
The only thing that matters is how he helps this team go on a deep playoff run, nothing less. What good does it do to be top 5 in QB stats and lose in the first round at home?
June 14th, 2025 at 5:12 pm
Jmarkbuc Says:
June 14th, 2025 at 9:53 am
He could get all Brady-esque and take a good contract, but one that leaves money so he can have quality teammates.
He seems like the type.
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He does and I believe he will. Brady’s proviso was that the Pats spend the money on players right up to the hilt of the salary cap unlike the Bengals who squeeze nickels until they squeal. I don’t think the Glazers will have an issue doing that either. They pretty much are already.
I have to say I really like where the team is at with Baker. I was skeptical when it all went down but I was wrong. Baker is the guy and hopefully will be for years to come.
June 14th, 2025 at 9:06 pm
Marine Buc Says:
June 14th, 2025 at 12:52 pm
Baker is a mid-tier QB.
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Welcome to your position as idiot #36 when it comes to baker Mayfield. 1-35 are smart enough to shut up.
June 14th, 2025 at 9:15 pm
Throw 50TDs this year, Baker, love you here in Tampa. Thank you for playing on a solid deal, and for having the heart of a lion. Looking forward to you leading us in year 3. Super Bowl inbound.
June 14th, 2025 at 9:58 pm
Sheesh!
Go Bucs!!
June 14th, 2025 at 10:03 pm
If baker is in the mvp conversation at seasons end, look for a dak-esque extension.
June 14th, 2025 at 10:08 pm
I love Baker Mayfield as my lifelong favorite team’s franchise QB. I was always optimistic about him but wow, how he exceeded my expectations. Awesome leader, awesome guy and if I ever bump into you Brother at a watering hole, the round is on me!!
Go Bucs!!!
June 14th, 2025 at 10:49 pm
I’ve heard it estimated that you can count on around $30 million per year increase in the salary cap – even more if the new agreement includes an 18th game. $50 million today will seem like a bargain in another couple of years.
June 14th, 2025 at 11:23 pm
Baker will once again give a hometown discount. He is big on emulating his childhood heros or athletes he respected. Two that he respected was Brett Favre and Tom Brady. From Brett you get the gunslinger style of playing quarterback and about the same amount of interceptions. Not sure that will ever change. It could, but… when you can make any throw on the field, it is tempting to thread that needle. It is a self-imposed mental challenge to make that throw that only a very few can make. Sometimes that ends up in an interception. From TB12, Baker admired and learned how to better his chances of winning. Don’t get greedy on your pay. Take a good amount but leave enough to keep good teammates that better your chances of winning. I would imagine Baker realizes that he is liked enough that he will make money after football. He doesn’t have to make all his money “playing” the game. So the discount will continue. He WANTS to win a superbowl more than getting greedy on his pay. He won’t break the bank with his next contract. Regardless, 2025 is going to be fun to watch for us that like him. For those irrelevant few, that just don’t like him, it will be another miserable year. 😠 😡 😤
June 14th, 2025 at 11:42 pm
What are you people talking about? You say until he puts the team on his back?? What do you idiotic “football fans” think he did when we were supposed to have won 4 games in 2023?? We won 10 games instead of 4?? We won the NFC South? We went to the playoffs?? That is A WHOLE LOT BETTER YEAR than winning 4 games!!! Do you even think before you post?? That whole season the team was on his back!! Get real
June 15th, 2025 at 12:47 am
He’s not getting less than $50 mill per year
Not a chance. That’s the going rate for a top 10 QB(or will be).
Pay the guy!
June 15th, 2025 at 12:50 am
And the ONLY thing that changed after everyone agreed 4 games is what we would win was, we got a new quarterback….
So, using common sense, why did we win 10 games and the other benefits that came with that 10 win season?
June 16th, 2025 at 11:47 am
Compared to what even the average QB’s are making in the NFL, Bucs got an all time discount on Baker. If he has the great yr we are anticipating, He might ask for more cash the following year even though he is under contract. And who could blame him.
June 16th, 2025 at 2:29 pm
Gipper. You insult everyone who don’t ride Baker Mayfield jock strap. Well let me ask you this my Cleveland Browns fan ? How many conferences championships Baker Mayfield made it to? How many Superbowls he played in? And how many times he was a MVP candidate because I believe any quarterback can look great to decent with these weapons we have and not to mention especially when they’re not asked to throw 45 to 50 times a game and throwing a bunch of short passes. Dak was ranked second in the MVP votes and they still lost in first round that year. Dak gets blame every time the cowboys lose in the playoffs. But Baker Mayfield gets praised for what he did in the regular season when we lose in the playoffs. Lol 🤣🤣 make it make sense??