Ex-Bucs Player & Coach: Pay Baker Mayfield
April 16th, 2026
Gerald McCoy demands the Bucs hand Baker Mayfield a fat contract extension, and another former Buccaneer, a guy who coached on staff with Todd Bowles, also says to pay the QB.
Joe is referring to A.Q. Shipley, a Bucs center/guard in 2020, and an assistant coach in 2021. Nowadays, Shipley is busy as an Arizona Cardinals radio analyst and as a guest on The Pat McAfee Show.
Obviously, Shipley has strong ties to the Bucs. Not only was he departed Robert Hainsey’s private coach for years, Joe saw Shipley on the field of The Licht House last year talking to Bucs power brokers before the Bucs-Cardinals game.
In an interview this week with VegasInsider.com, Shipley said it’s time to pay the man, referring to Mayfield.
“Shipley stridently believes the Buccaneers should give Mayfield a lucrative extension before the season,” wrote reporter Kyle Odegard.
“I love Baker,” Shipley said. “You want to talk about getting the respect of everybody in the locker room: that’s the guy. There’s not a single person in that building that doesn’t love him. Now, his level of play will dictate if he stays there forever. I think injuries played a major part in where he was last year, and I do think he’s a franchise guy.”
Mayfield’s 3-year, $100 million contract expires after the 2026 season.
Joe is intrigued by the line of ex-players barking about Mayfield deserving a lucrative extension. There are more than just McCoy and Shipley.
If the Bucs and Mayfield have a standoff that results in Mayfield marching toward free agency, the Bucs will have a hard time winning that battle in the court of public opinion.
April 16th, 2026 at 2:51 pm
Now this is a triggering post for some…
April 16th, 2026 at 2:52 pm
Serious question – what is the one play you remember most from Gerald’s years here??
“Sorry Ben!”
Anything else?
April 16th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
Players always side with other players. I mean, they’re on the same team so to speak.
April 16th, 2026 at 2:58 pm
I believe the Bucs should pay Baker Mayfield
Bu Gerald McCoy is the guy who milked this franchise for a decade
And not one playoff appearance
April 16th, 2026 at 2:58 pm
I like Baker when he is surrounded by a competent offensive coordinator, a healthy O Line and healthy WR’s. Without those ingredients, I am not a fan. Can’t overpay Baker and not have the pieces he needs to be good
April 16th, 2026 at 3:05 pm
Baker needs a strong run game
Like the run game in Cleveland with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt
And here in 2024 with Bucky, Rachaad, Tucker
A weak run game will force him try to be Superman
And that will lead to unnecessary hits and turnovers
April 16th, 2026 at 3:08 pm
One thing is for sure Mayfield would be an idiot to suit up this year without a multi year extension So all you gurus that say don’t pay him and let’s see how he does this year are in a fantasy world We all agree that be great, but that’s not how the NFL works. He holds all the cards This is his one shot for a large contract with lots of guaranteed money
April 16th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
They should extend Baker before training camp
They should also draft OG Vegas Ioane, if he’s there at 15
I like CJ Allen, but I believe Ioane is the best pick for the Bucs
April 16th, 2026 at 3:24 pm
Lakeland Says:
“Gerald McCoy is the guy who milked this franchise for a decade
And not one playoff appearance.”
To be fair, the only other great player we had on defense during that time was Lavante David. Fans expected McCoy to do it all himself.
April 16th, 2026 at 3:27 pm
Rocket10 Says:
“One thing is for sure Mayfield would be an idiot to suit up this year without a multi year extension…”
He has a year left on his contract. If he refuses to suit up, he won’t get offers from other teams next year.
I’m currently all for paying him…at the end of this season.
April 16th, 2026 at 3:28 pm
Jason the Lichtbrain should be forbidden from extending any contracts-PERIOD.
In all likelihood after next years’ iteration of the Bucs craps the bed Bowles and Licht will be history figures in Tampa. The LAST thing Bucs need to do is spend more money foolishly.
April 16th, 2026 at 3:31 pm
He won’t get top dollar, but we’d be crazy to not extend him, unless we’re tanking for next year’s draft. I’m praying to all the gods that doesn’t happen.
April 16th, 2026 at 3:31 pm
@Rocket10
Here’s the problem with your thought process. If you sign Mayfield to that fat contract that you’re lobbying for you can’t afford to pay the playmakers that he needs surrounding him to be an effective QB.
See @Section 312 and @Lakeland’s posts from above yours.
April 16th, 2026 at 3:33 pm
There will be no standoff, this is done deal. Decided long before Mayfield signed the original contract.
April 16th, 2026 at 3:34 pm
Personally, I think we have no choice but to wait until the end of the season.
Scenario 1: The Bucs do great, Baker does great. He gets a new contract next season. All is good. Bowles either retires…or earn another extension.
Scenario 2: Offense and Baker do great, but the defense doesn’t. Bowles gets fired and Robinson gets his job.
Scenario 3: The Bucs do so bad they are in the running for the first pick. That means a whole new coaching staff…and a head coach who will not want Baker because the HC wants to draft a QB.
Too much is in the air to give Mayfield a new contract right now.
April 16th, 2026 at 3:35 pm
“You want to talk about getting the respect of everybody in the locker room: that’s the guy.
so why did we have to bring in JPP late in the season to provide “juice” and “leadership”
players always side with players when it comes to $$$$$
its simple…WIN 2 playoffs games this season and he’ll be a BUC for the next 5years at least….
but we all know how baker performs under pressure lol….if you dont know, look at NOV & DEC lol
GO BUCS!!!!
April 16th, 2026 at 3:37 pm
At least behind the scenes the owners and GM know how bad BM’s injuries were during the great collapse of 2025. We don’t know but they do so I think they’ll make a more informed opinion on whether to extend him with a big contract.
April 16th, 2026 at 3:39 pm
Baker’s OC was Grizzard, he played without Godwin and McMillan and an unhealthy offensive line before the bye and he played at what was talked about as an MVP level. He didn’t continue to do so after the bye because he himself was injured. So it sounds like he meets your criteria section 312.
April 16th, 2026 at 3:46 pm
Baker just HAS to stay healthy. SOME of that responsibility is on him to take smarter risks, but a healthy OL should help make that a bit easier as well. (Not to mention incorporating more quick throw concepts in the offense.)
April 16th, 2026 at 3:51 pm
Well the Glazers are no strangers to losing “the court of public opinion “
April 16th, 2026 at 3:59 pm
They better fix the line before they screw Baker up. We don’t want him to start seeing ghosts in the pocket and running when he doesn’t need to. Plus getting him injured. The really need to address the IOL ASAP
April 16th, 2026 at 3:59 pm
If not Baker, then who? Options:
1. Baker
2. Trask
3. Winston
4. Cousins
5. Tank for Arch Manning
Name your poison guys! I’ll take Baker.
April 16th, 2026 at 4:05 pm
I’d extended, what would we pay him realistically?
April 16th, 2026 at 4:20 pm
I’m not lobbying for anything, I’m just saying Mayfield won’t play without an extension, his age makes this a reality and if he sits out, some team will pay him a crazy amount the year after. If he plays and plays poorly he’s virtually stuck as a backup with a backup contract, so again, no agent worth a crap would let him play this year without an extension
April 16th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
Good Lord. The interior offensive line was out with injuries last year. Mauch was out all year and Bredeson had a season ending injury too. When they come back in OTA’s we’ll see them healthy again and raring to go- just like 2024. Also Mauch looks significantly bigger and stronger this year and his play was already pro bowl caliber in 2024. Our O-line is great when HEALTHY. We need a backup that won’t represent a HUGE drop in talent. That’s not Ioane. He’s starter caliber.
April 16th, 2026 at 4:22 pm
And PAY Baker. He’s awesome.
April 16th, 2026 at 4:27 pm
Mauch hasn’t played football in a year. Bredeson was rated near the bottom of the league. He’s not it. They need to upgrade now and get ready for the future. Can’t song everyone on the O line to a big contract.
April 16th, 2026 at 4:28 pm
Then you got Barton who is no better than Hainsey was in my opinion
April 16th, 2026 at 4:38 pm
IT WAS A PERFECT STORM OF INJURIES LAST YEAR FOR THE OLIN. ALL 5 STARTERS MISSED SIGNIFICANT GAMES, AND MAUCH MISSED THE WHOLE SEASON. THEN THE INJURY TO MCMILLAN, AND LATER GODWIN, AND EVENS, AND BUCKY IRVING. OFFENSIVE INJURIES WERE A DISASTER AND IT KILLED THE OFFENSE OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASON.
April 16th, 2026 at 4:40 pm
In 2024, the offensive line that “graded” so badly had an absolutely phenomenal season. Remember? There’s no reason they cannot do that again. Being out gave them more time to gain even more functional strength.
April 16th, 2026 at 4:41 pm
Ioane is a 10 year starter at least
Maybe a future All-Pro mauler, it’s hard to pass on him
April 16th, 2026 at 4:42 pm
I vote against an extension. The defense has not improved so that means (hopefully) Bowles and Licht are fired and a new FO is brought in and the rebuild that should have started 2 years ago can begin.
April 16th, 2026 at 4:51 pm
Fans of other teams just visiting and hoping they can put the Bucs into a death spiral and steak Baker.
April 16th, 2026 at 4:51 pm
*steal
April 16th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
Baker started off top 5 qb. By the time the end of the season rolled around he looked bad. I saw him running for his life, pressured and getting injured. I am blaming it on the O line. It’s not what it used to be. Yes there were injuries and Barton has great versatility and did good at LT but they need reinforcements. I don’t think Licht will skip on O line again atleast I hope not. I’m hoping he is throwing smokescreens and will surprise us.
April 16th, 2026 at 5:03 pm
They will get him extended. They messed up with rookie OC and Baker plus other players paid the price. I fully expect him to have a year like 2024 than 2025 and if they don’t extend him now he will cost more later and probably leave like Mike did. He’s the best option for the team over next 3 years and they should draft a successor next year or year after. He should get top 10-12 QB $ and that’s fair to both sides.
April 16th, 2026 at 5:10 pm
40-60% of the offensive line was out at almost all times last season.
April 16th, 2026 at 5:16 pm
@Todd – I’d guess 50ish million per.
With any luck it’s 45ish.
April 16th, 2026 at 5:20 pm
Baker need the 2002 bucs defense with the rules from that year and he need the 1993 Cowboys offensive line. And he need Barry Sanders at runningback with Jerry Rice and Randy Moss and Shannon Sharpe at tight end and Baker Mayfield will get us to a Superbowl!!
April 16th, 2026 at 5:23 pm
You Baker fan boys will give him another excuse this year if he plays bad again lol 🤣🤣 !! Todd Bowles is already set as the scapegoat for Baker Mayfield so if I’m the Glazers I would resign Baker Mayfield because you can lose as long as it’s fun losing is ok in Tampa!!
April 16th, 2026 at 5:25 pm
Bake carr sucks why pay for what you already know will happen he’s just not a winner its not in his blood
April 16th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
Oneilbuc Says:
April 16th, 2026 at 5:20 pm
Baker need the 2002 bucs defense with the rules from that year and he need the 1993 Cowboys offensive line.
***************
If we draft Ioane, we WILL have the 1993 Cowboys offensive line… or something pretty damn close to it.
Any defense but last year’s will do.
April 16th, 2026 at 5:46 pm
Pay him
April 16th, 2026 at 5:53 pm
My biggest concern with Baker is not whether he can play or not. It’s the fact he is too fearless with his body. Will be make it through the whole season healthy. Hr will play, but play hurt. I generally think it’s better to resign him now after a down year.. but I worry about his longevity. Needs to be a bit smarter with his body..
April 16th, 2026 at 5:58 pm
“Now his play will dictate if he plays there forever”
Doesn’t sound much like a “demand”, but common sense.
Let Baker play his contract out this year. If he balls out, then he will get his lucrative deal. If he plays inconsistent ball and the Bucs have a losing record, then most likely Baker and this coaching staff will be gone.
Why lock yourself into a longterm contract now??
McCoy is a freaking bozo anyway.
April 16th, 2026 at 6:02 pm
Whether we resign him this year or not he is going to command $50-60M next year unless he falls off the planet. If the team quits on Bowlzo again or Baker gets hurt again trying to play hero ball a new head coach may or may not want to go in a different direction. I don’t want to wind up like the Falcons and have a huge money QB on a multi year contract and a new head coach who will want to draft a QB or sign a different one.
April 16th, 2026 at 6:06 pm
Oneil nobody is making anymore excuses for Baker than you did for every thread on Winston. You know the star of your life with a record of 36-53. But of course that’s because he never had a defense and your other numerous excuses.