Jason Licht Knows Baker Mayfield’s Language
May 11th, 2026
Jason Licht, Baker Mayfield and cold beers.
A new Baker Mayfield contract is coming. When that is, it’s anyone’s guess.
Who said that? Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht said that. That’s who.
Licht made an appearance with Kay Adams last week on her weekday morning show “Up and Adams” seen on FanDuel TV. There, Licht confidently explained he has no deadline whatsoever to do a new deal with Mayfield, though it is atop his to-do list.
One reason Licht said he’s not sweating a new contract for Mayfield is that both are kindred spirits.
“I’m sure the time will come when we will do that,” Licht said of Mayfield inking a new contract with the Bucs. “There’s no timeline right now, but I know what he means to us.
“I know that everybody in this building knows what he means to us, so I’m sure we’ll figure it out at some point.”
Adams followed that up asking, “There’s no deadline at all?”
Then Licht explained one reason why he’s not worried about extending Mayfield’s stay in Tampa Bay.
“I kind of foresee when it does happen, we’re doing this at a dive bar,” Licht said. “That’s just the type of people both of us are.”
Joe thinks that’s hilarious and Joe could see that happening.
Joe remembers Hall of Fame pitch Bruce Sutter leaving the Cardinals to sign with the Braves. Soon after, he blew out his arm and that was it. But the news of Sutter’s departure hit Cardinals shot-caller Whitey Herzog hard. His initial reaction was, “I just got 20 games dumber.”
(Instead of “dumber,” the Cardinals played in two of the next three World Series and Herzog cemented himself as a baseball genius.)
Herzog and Sutter had grown close and become fishing buddies. Herzog lamented that if he and Sutter had just gone fishing, caught some catfish and had a couple of beers, a contract would have been signed before they got the boat back to shore.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, agents, lawyers and team suits stood between Herzog’s boat and Sutter.
So Joe is of the mind Licht better bring a copy of Mayfield’s proposed new contract to whatever bar they hang at.
Buccaneers GM Jason Licht isn't worried about rushing an extension with QB Baker Mayfield:
"I foresee when it does happen that we're doing this at the dive bar" 😂@Buccaneers | @bakermayfield | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/SEuqWB79Aq
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) May 7, 2026
May 11th, 2026 at 9:35 am
No reason to extend Baker before the season cause we can always franchise him, giving him $45-50 million a year extension is betting he is the 2024 version instead of the 6 seasons of mediocre production, think Doug Martin situation, he had 2 great seasons surrounded by mediocre seasons, Licht paid him and it blew up in his face, not saying Baker hasn’t exceeded expectations, he has, but better to wait then tie up a quarter of the salary cap on a gamble
May 11th, 2026 at 9:36 am
What does Licht know? He needs to consult with Muncher and the band boys. Those guys want Shedeur Sanders as Bucs next QB.
With NFL, quality guards back and healthy this season, Munch & his boy friends are afraid that Baker might really lite it up in 2026.
May 11th, 2026 at 9:37 am
Beer is better.
May 11th, 2026 at 9:37 am
Didn’t Mike want to be a Buc for life? Didn’t the Bucs want that?
Please sign the man.
May 11th, 2026 at 9:38 am
Jason Licht is trying to build a complete team
With a complete team you won’t have to rely on the QB as much
A lot of these teams are overpaying for QBs
And it is affecting their ability to build a complete team around the QB
May 11th, 2026 at 9:38 am
Get “Born Again” Baker signed now before camp starts so that we don’t have to hear about it all season long. We are lucky to have him! Go Bucs!!
May 11th, 2026 at 9:39 am
I sure hope he has a better handle on this than the ME13 Buc for life situation.
If he doesn’t get Baker to sign it could be very ugly here for a while. There are not any reasonable alternatives so we all know Baker has all the leverage. He’ll be a wanted FA if it comes to that. Don’t think for a second Carolina or New Orleans won’t snap him up.
May 11th, 2026 at 9:41 am
So you’ve built a Super Bowl Champion roster?
Congratulations. You’ve written the stupidest thing on the interwebs today.
You should be proud of yourself.
May 11th, 2026 at 9:41 am
Yes, Gipper. We’re climbing the walls with anxiety over Mayfield lighting it up…..
It simply will not happen, ever. We’ve seen his best and it lead to nothing in the playoffs.
But hey, seems like par for the course these days.
Wash, rinse, repeat. Keep fighting for those limitations.
May 11th, 2026 at 9:43 am
All the dude does is fail at the most critical moments of big games. Sure maybe he has an early season comeback once in a while. But not when it’s a “must have” season defining moment. In Baker’s defense, his coach is someone who should be a professor at Temple university, so there’s that.
May 11th, 2026 at 9:48 am
Baker & Jason will be at Tiny Tap this afternoon.
May 11th, 2026 at 9:59 am
When you’re spending 20-25% of your salary cap on a QB
You’re setting your team up for failure
A QB can’t singlehandedly win football games
He will need a quality OLine, WR, RB, just to compete
And you definitely need a top defense to win games
And now top Edge Rushers are demanding 15% of the salary cap
Teams has to draw a line somewhere
And it starts with excellent drafting and development
May 11th, 2026 at 10:05 am
We witnessed what happened last season with this offense
We lost key O-Linemen, WRs, RB, and the bottom fell out
And our offense went from top to bottom in a heartbeat
We learned a valuable lesson
You must have a complete team to compete
May 11th, 2026 at 10:11 am
Must have signed that extension for Zyon after too many drinks in the dive bar.
May 11th, 2026 at 10:16 am
LynchMob50 Says:
May 11th, 2026 at 9:41 am
Yes, Gipper. We’re climbing the walls with anxiety over Mayfield lighting it up…..
It simply will not happen, ever. We’ve seen his best and it lead to nothing in the playoffs.
=====================================
Right….Who wants a QB that has thrown for 95TD’s in his 3 year Buc career, toughs out needed 1st downs by scrambling, and provides strong leadership for the entire team?
Can’t blame you dolts for wanting Shedeur Sanders. Most on this website know who the dolts are. It is the high school band bunch led by Muncher and his band camp pals.
May 11th, 2026 at 10:22 am
sign him
May 11th, 2026 at 10:25 am
Nope.
Here’s a fun homework assignment:
Just Google “top quarterbacks 2027 draft” and go watch their tape on YouTube. Licht’s in a win-win situation here.
May 11th, 2026 at 10:27 am
Tom Brady earned approximately $235.2 million in 20 years with the Pats
He earned another $75 million during his 3 years with the Bucs
His career earnings is 23 years $310.2 million
But, you have QBs now asking for 5 years $320 million
We can see why Tom Brady always had a complete team around him
Last week Gronk said the 2020 Tampa Bay Bucs
Was the most talented team he ever played with
May 11th, 2026 at 10:41 am
I think Baker would be content with a raise equal to the percentage increase of the cap. That would be about 10%. With annual increases tied to the salary cap increases plus a little extra for the discount he gave them the last 3 years. Something like 3 years @ 40, 45 and 50 million per year with at least 2 years guaranteed and with achievable incentives built in to the contract tied to personal statistical and team success. I think he wants to win more than anything else and also wants to stay in Tampa. He’s smart enough to know that if other teams are paying what will soon be 60-80 million a year for their qb makes team success easier for the Bucs.
May 11th, 2026 at 10:42 am
An old and very wise man once said to me; ‘3rd and 28 If you diddle now, you will surely snivel later’! Translation: sign the heartbeat of this team. This ain’t rocket science. Just do it.
May 11th, 2026 at 10:43 am
“Unfortunately for the Cardinals, agents, lawyers and team suits stood between Herzog’s boat and Sutter.”
I was just saying to myself, that the Glazers are going to HAVE TO step in and put the brakes on JL. Baker knows (the REALITY of ) what the landscape will look-like and be next offseason… And, the risks. So, he’d most surely accept about ANY longterm (3-4 years) deal that he can get right now, that is at least reasonable. But, the BUCS would be VERY smart to hold their ground. There is absolutely ZERO reasons to hurry ANYTHING. Only ‘negative’ for the Bucs. You ride it out and you make HIM earn it. Bottomline. PERIOD. There is absolutely NOTHING to gain. He’s already reached his peak anyway, and is just starting to breakdown. It’s way too big of a risk… And, for WHAT!? Because, JL likes him!? HAIL NO. There are too many uncertainties with this current regime, and a move like this could be CRUSHING. You are then, most certainly, putting ANOTHER “Lost Decade” in play. You hold the line. End of Story. ONLY Baker Bois (who are NOT true Bucs Fans), would so recklessly, not give a DAMN and would be willing to risk that, by just handing BAKER ($50+MIL per guaranteed) whatever he wants. Cause, I mean hell, we’re not talking about an ELITE-level here, like a Josh Allen, & etc. And, just because STUPID and BAD franchises would make such a move, doesn’t mean that WE fricken have to!!!! You have another bad season (which is most likely, going to happen – it’s a BOTTOM-5 Team in the NFC), then you are STUCK with an ‘expensive’ QB. And, FOR WHAT!? Just to limit your pool of potential TOP HC (and GM) hires!? Yeah, NO freaking thanks.
May 11th, 2026 at 10:49 am
Of the top 10 Qb’s (rated as cap hit) Only 3 of them made the playoffs last year–Stafford, Allen and Herbert. Dak topped the list…..I’m hoping Baker does something 40-ish
May 11th, 2026 at 10:50 am
Jason’s nose is growing longer.
May 11th, 2026 at 11:10 am
Compliments > Contract
The Bucs love Baker so much they signed Otton to a 3 year deal. There’s no rush to sign him especially with next year’s QB heavy draft. Plus there will be other FA QBs available next off-season. The Bucs have plenty of options. Just let this season play out and see what Baker does. But he’ll do what he always does and thats find a way to lose.
This team has way too many holes on both sides of the ball to give 50+ mil to one old, injury prone player who isn’t top 5 at his position. The Bucs know that.
When Baker plays this season on the final year of his deal, he will have his hair on fire. Hes going to be pressing all season long trying to prove himself and get another big contract. He’s Jeff Garcia with a better arm and this is his last chance at showing he’s a starter.
May 11th, 2026 at 11:35 am
Drove to St. Louis, Friday afternoon, with the wife to watch our grandson play baseball Friday night. Slept in his basement Friday night and got up and watched baseball and softball games Saturday until 5 and drove 6 hours to get home before midnight Saturday night. My oldest son is a Cowboys fan. Was an all state QB here in Oklahoma, played baseball in college but his scholarship was academic. Whenever I go see him, after everyone has gone to bed, he mixes us a few nice whiskey drinks and we talk sports. Baseball and Football. Joe, last time I was there, we were out eating and lo and behold, at the next table, was Ozzie Smith. We talked. Good stuff. I was an NL fan, too. I’ve watched Bob Gibson, Juan Marichal, Steve Carlton, Ferguson Jenkins, Tom Seaver, and when I was a kid, baseball took the front seat. Back to my story. Over our adult beverages he explained to me that all franchises aren’t created the same. He said that the Mayfield deal should have been done by now. I don’t know much, but I know that if this deal doesn’t get done pretty soon I will have lost some of my confidence in this team. No way Mayfield won’t be fair- even to a fault. But if the Bucs don’t want to be fair, they will be in the QB market in a big, fat hurry. And I’d really hate that, since I believe my favorite team is alot closer to a championship than most around here believe. And I firmly believe that Baker Mayfield is the dude that’s going to lead the charge. Guess we’ll wait and see how it turns out.
May 11th, 2026 at 12:11 pm
Thank you Kenton for sharing your story. It lends credibility to your thoughts and comments. I have endeavored to do the same.
Myself being a Braves fan since their move to ATL in 1966 I remember the Sutter move from STL. Thanks for that Joe.
Side note: RIP Bobby Cox. One had to be from ATL to understand his impact on the community and the genuine love for him.
I believe the Baker situation is totally under control of the owners and out of Jason’s hands.
Unless Baker fells he has no other choice than to play along….well….
The owners are likely positioning for a teardown after 2026 if things don’t go well. Baker is the collateral damage.
May 11th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
They have from now until FA starts next year, what’s the rush?
Let this season play out. If Baker is inconsistent and the Bucs lose 10 games, it’s time to draft a QB. Lots of good QBs to be had next draft.
If he plays lights out, he will earn his new big contract. Baker doesn’t want to leave the best situation he’s ever had.
If he plays decently..then there’s is a decision to be made.
No need to rip up his current deal until we see how the season plays out.
May 11th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
Many of the commenters here seem to view things the same way as I suspect the owners do. That is to say they view it as a cold, calculating, heartless business decision. Those views don’t reside in long term genuine Bucs fans and fans of sports teams in general. Those views are easily put forth by folks that find genuine thought difficult and resemble a parrot.
May 11th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
Bee for the win. Baker has a track record and it’s mid at best.
There’s no SB trophy celebration in his future.
Unless you consider the NC South title your SB.
Todd Bowles won three straight. Without help from anyone!
#SuperBowles
May 11th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
For the commenters here that pride themselves in their presentation of voluminous statistics and contemplative analysis, leave that job to the Joes. They are the professionals and even they don’t drown their followers with minutiae.
Try being ” just a fan”.
May 11th, 2026 at 1:00 pm
How many of the football geniuses on here had Sam Darnold down as SB winning QB prior to the 2025 season? I’ll wait.
May 11th, 2026 at 1:01 pm
Again, Baker’s name is on the article and the HATERS jump on it like a pack of dingos in the Australian desert who haven’t eaten for a week! Baker forever believes he was disrespected by the Browns! Should he not be signed to some type of extension of his contract, finish in the top 5 QBs of the league and wins 12 games and then offered an extension, will he sign? He will see this as being disrespected again, refuse to take the franchise label and walk away from the game. On the side of the coin, I see him being offered a team friendly contract before start of mandatory practice.
May 11th, 2026 at 1:22 pm
Okiejim Says: I see him being offered a team friendly contract before start of mandatory practice.
^^^^
To me that means the Bucs will offer Baker a 3 year deal at less than market value. When you factor in a 3 year deal is only a two year extension by virtue of tearing up his current contract the Bucs are saying to Baker “You’re not really our guy”. That team friendly deal will likely have lots of maneuverability built in for the Bucs.
Baker, and his agent and wife, surely wants and feels he has earned and deserves better long term security.
By offering Baker a contract that he will not like or sign will give the owners cover. They can say “we tried”.
If Baker signs the owners got a steal.
The game of chicken is underway. Who blinks first ?
May 11th, 2026 at 1:26 pm
Lichts contracts talks are like what the mobster tells the hotel workers to do on Home Alone 2. Get down on your knees and tell me you love me. “We LOVE you”
May 11th, 2026 at 1:29 pm
5 years $235 million fully guaranteed.
That’s more than Deshaun Watson got, it sticks it to the Browns, and it will be a more team friendly contract every year.
Pay him that and still build the team. He’s worth every penny.
May 11th, 2026 at 1:31 pm
Baker will have to wait until he starts winning games in NOV & DEC!!!!!
win meaningful games in DEC and he’ll get paid…
simple as that!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
May 11th, 2026 at 2:07 pm
It is no surprise to me that some commenters on this here site seem to know the value of a human being. They scream outrage over money spent by others. One commenter tried to compare TB12’s old Pats contracts and money earned here in TPA to being surrounded by a good team.
Perhaps those commenters have absolutely no idea of the concept of fiat currency and currency debasement. But they sure do know and understand all things about the business of the Bucs.
The “Ship of Fools” and the Bucs pirate ship are on a collision course.
May 11th, 2026 at 2:08 pm
Kenton:
Cool story. Your grandson plays for the Cardinals? You talked to Ozzie Smith about Baker Mayfield?
May 11th, 2026 at 2:42 pm
Well, it’d have been a cooler story if he played for the Cardinals. He’s 11 and plays for the Gamers. His sister plays softball. And only spoke to Ozzie for a few minutes. Football wasn’t brought up. Have some older grandkids I watch play ball all the time here in Oklahoma. They’re good, and all 4 of my boys were awful good. But, not major league good. And I might be wrong about a couple of the young ones. They have a chance like many of us have had. My whole family is fast, and my grandsons are no exception. I’ve got a granddaughter who goes to the biggest school in Oklahoma, 1500+ graduating class, and I believe she’s the fastest girl in the school. Beautiful young lady, and man can she scoot. Centerfielder, just like her dad. I am hoping she’s Division One material.
May 11th, 2026 at 2:56 pm
Congratulations Kenton. It appears that you have sired a great family tree. Your wallet must be fat with grandchild photos.
May 11th, 2026 at 2:58 pm
I’ll drop mine. 2026 will be the undersized scrapper last year here. he’s a loser with a game that will age poorly. Undersized, inaccurate, cant read a defense, throw a deep ball or see over the line of scrimmage. meanwhile, he is 16-17 outside the division,17-19 if you include the playoffs. 2025 was the the 4th or 5th BEST season of his career.
he started 2025 3-0 against teams that were a combined 1-8 after 3 weeks. The offense was middling. He was 61/99 for 615 yards. Thats 61% completion percentage and 6.2 yards per attempt.
2 months after the season he was squatting 500 pounds. obviously it was a accomplishment because they recorded it. Now im assuming he had to build up to it. So we go most of the year not hearing about the injury, the week before he runs head first into the end zone against Buffalo.
No word on a surgery or procedure. Just 2 months after the season he is squatting 500 pounds. That half against the Rams he played just like he did i the first half against the Eagles and Lions.
In 2023, we got off to a 4-7 start and finished 9-8 and got hot for our offense to finish 23rd. The Ol was healthy, every skill player started all 17 games, Canales was the OC and the defense was 7th in scoring defense.
baker will never lead a team to 12 regular season wins, a nfc title game or FINISH top 6-8 in a mvp voting. He is a loser with loser traits. Ryan Fitzpatrick and buffalo was doing a rendition of the greatest show on turf in 2011. Was undefeated, scoring about 40 a game and he was passing for 300 yards a game and about 3 td passes. He even beat Brady head to head in a shootout.
It was a cute story. reality settles in. You will never get far with baker. If anyone wants to debate Im here for it. i cannot loose. Its already been estatblished raw, volume stats are a poor way to measure a Qb.
May 11th, 2026 at 3:30 pm
So if Baker Mayfield returns in 2027 will you continue to post on this site using the same name?
May 11th, 2026 at 3:51 pm
yes. As a long time fan, i was here before him and will be here long after him. If your a Buc fan, WTF would you want him here in 2027? 5 years of this guy? Good Lord!!
May 11th, 2026 at 3:55 pm
Just pay him.
May 11th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
Baker has nothing to prove. He has already proven you haters wrong so many times it is to the point of ridiculous. The only thing that has to happen is we need a good coach that can fill the holes on both sides and coach the team up and we will be in the hunt. Baker IS a top 10 qb and it is only a matter of time and he will qb a superbowl winning team.
May 11th, 2026 at 4:20 pm
bucblindII: Top 10?So outside of Stafford, Burrow, Lamar, Allen and mahomes YOU think Baker is just up under those? Oh, i get it your fanatical. A lunatic. A card carrying member of the Baker cult. Only on this site am i exposed to this level of, i dont even know what to call it.
I know some of you Baker fans are educated and well paid individuals but when it comes to him you loose all logic, common sense and objectivity. baker wouldnt be a top 10 Qb in the leauge was 9 teams.
May 11th, 2026 at 5:33 pm
I admit this sounds like lunacy but having followed this franchise since the beginning I’ve seen lunacy before, more than once.
I would not at all be surprised if Aaron Rodgers is the starting QB for the Bucs and Baker Mayfield is the starting QB for the Steelers this fall.
There is the stopgap QB leading up to the coaching overhaul in 2027.
May 11th, 2026 at 5:39 pm
“Google top Quarterbacks of the 2027 draft.”
Why would I do that?
By the time we draft a rookie, give him 3-4 years to acclimate to the NFL.
This teams Window will have slammed shut
IF WE BELIEVE THIS TEAM CAN WIN, then Mayfield has all the leverage.
He is our winning QB. We don’t have another option. A Rookie next year means we give the kid years- and MEYBE he’s a QB.
After wasting 5 years on Winston- no thanks.
By the time a rookie is ready- Wirfs,Godwin, Vea, and a bunch more will be gone.
We need to sign Mayfield. If he leaves- our entire approach has to change. And none of us want that.
Sign him
May 11th, 2026 at 5:45 pm
Yep, bring in a worn out has been with a big name. That would almost guarantee a 6 win season given all the other factors. Then the owners fire the entire coaching staff and give up the 2028 1st or 2nd round pick and trade up for the next new wonder boy. That trade for Rodgers would bring media attention. There will be enough old Packers fans to offset the loss of true Bucs fans in the seats.
It fits. That would for CERTAIN be the end for me.
May 11th, 2026 at 5:53 pm
Perfect. Rodgers gets dinged up and in comes ???????.
We’re moving up the in the 2027 draft in rapid order.
I hope I’m proven wrong but I can see it coming.
May 11th, 2026 at 6:04 pm
I’m sorry to say that my supposition might be best for Baker as well. The Steelers would likely give him a market value deal for 4 years and he would be loved and fit in very well there. I’m a Baker admirer and want him to be where he wants to be and where he will get respect. The owners of this team here in Tampa have so far let Baker down.
May 11th, 2026 at 6:04 pm
If they resign Baker Mayfield without at least a NFC Championship game will be a bad idea. The smart thing to do is wait and see what happens this year Baker Mayfield has never been or will ever be a elite quarterback. But if they resign him it ain’t nothing we can do about it either way. But I can tell you this we will become the Detroit Lions good defense weapons on offense and never get to a Superbowl because of the quarterback!!
May 11th, 2026 at 6:09 pm
Perhaps Mike Evans foresaw this as well.
May 11th, 2026 at 6:11 pm
And the owners can blame it all on Baker for asking to be traded after offering him a puke deal.
May 11th, 2026 at 6:15 pm
So the owners get Rodgers for 1 year and 15mil and then a first round pick QB for 5 years rookie money. Any skeptics out there thinking no way ?
May 11th, 2026 at 6:19 pm
And what could Jason pry out of the Steelers for the trade ?
It fits.
May 11th, 2026 at 6:21 pm
I think Baker Mayfield is one of the best quarterbacks in Buccaneers history. But, does JL have to pay him now ? I don’t think so. Baker needs something to play for…. and if he has a great 2026 season, he’ll get the big contract and it’ll be well deserved.
If he has another season like last year ….. well that settles it!! Don’t get me wrong I don’t expect Baker to have another bad season. He’s a fighter and he’ll fight for his team !!
Go Bucs !!
May 11th, 2026 at 6:26 pm
And Jason uses the very 2nd round pick pried from the Steelers to trade up in ’27 and still keeps his 1st rounder.
May 11th, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Baker is a one of the top three Buccaneers quarterbacks !!
1. Tom Brady
2. Doug Williams
3. Baker Mayfield
Of course that’s just my opinion… what do yall think ? Am I close ?
Go Bucs !!
May 11th, 2026 at 6:31 pm
That’s what I call a win/win situation at least from the owners perspective. Us fans have to remember the business side of the NFL.
And as our President said recently, the NFL makes too much money.
May 11th, 2026 at 6:33 pm
Correction
And Jason uses the very 2nd round pick pried from the Steelers to trade up in ’27 and still keeps his 1st rounder in 2028.
May 11th, 2026 at 6:39 pm
So not that i wa a fan of Winston but THAT Nfc south was incredibly difficult. The 2010s NFc South was full of Mvp Qbs and Sb teams. The crazy part N.O didnt even go to a Sb in the 2010s and brees never won a Mvp-they were consistent.
You “hedge” at the Qb spot. Draft your guy and bring in a experienced veteran, maybe even a guy like Minshew as a#2 to pair with the rookie. That is so much more sound and promising then hoping a guy in his mid 30s turns into something he has never been while paying him 45-55M.
Baker and his cult have convinced you that 45-55M is a drop in the bucket and our 19th ranked defene is soooo atrocious and historically bad. You guys are saying “if he wins 12 games”…he never has.
Your hoping his career arc will mirror Stafford but thats is extremely foolish. he’s not and he will never have that type of ability. You cant say what the rookie will or will not be. One thing he will be is exponentially cheaper.
We should have swung for the fences while this division was occupied by Young, Ridder, Rattier, Scough and washed up Carr and Cousins. If the division can be won with 8-9 games with those qbs,why not.
I can tell you this, I dont think Philly or Sf(the top of the NFC for a decade)would have signed Baker at all in the first place and certainly not have committed to him for 3-5 years. Those teams were getting rid of Sb, winning Qbs by the time they were in their mid to late 20s and here you guys and Licht want to treat baker like a dead sea scroll.
This is not 1989. drafting a qb #1 is not a set in stone rebuild. You guys act like we are replacing a HOF qb and we win 12-14 games a year accented by deep playoff runs. Mahomes, Allen, and Lamar were all traded up for by teams with 28-32 year old Qbs coming off WINNING seasons. The time to get one is before you need him.
May 11th, 2026 at 6:59 pm
The Steelers tendered Rogers an UFA deal for 15.5mil. I thought he was signed.
May 11th, 2026 at 7:01 pm
So if the Steelers want Baker and they need a QB badly, the price will be high and Baker is already signed.
May 11th, 2026 at 7:23 pm
The above scenario fits for Rodgers as well. What other team would want or need him ? He comes to Tampa with a lot of new talent and familiarity with Danny Smith along with no state tax and retirement weather.
I’m not rooting for Baker to leave but he deserves better than what he has had here in TPA. Why would he want to play here when so many fans hate him ?
May 11th, 2026 at 7:25 pm
Pittsburg will absolutely NOT give you a second rounder for Baker. he would be a distant 3rd best Qb in the division at best and the oldest by years. No way they would. So the guy who is in a dog fight in the Nfc South every year in week 18 would go to the Afc North and kick butt? yeah,no. 2 qbs 2 years younger then him and vastly superior and even Cleveland has a tough defense, he’d go there and make a difference huh?
Yes, the Afc north had a down year and i think the afc north had less wins then the nfc south but remember the 2 stars qbs missed about 14 games. Poor Steelers fans…They had old Big Ben, Kenny Pickett to washed up Russ and A-Rod to Baker? Wow that would suck for them. baker would be popular with that blue collar fanbase and media…..UNTIL. he plays like crap for 3 straight games and his first 3 interception game.
May 11th, 2026 at 7:34 pm
I’m only speculating on a possibility and making a logical explanation for that possibility.
Bye Baker Bye Bowles Says nothing but hateful hogwash.
May 11th, 2026 at 7:36 pm
Don’t try baiting me BBBB I’m out for the day and wouldn’t take it anyway.
May 11th, 2026 at 8:33 pm
Sal V: Hate? Nobody hates him as a person, he’s just not a good Qb and im convinced you cant o anywher ewith him. Its a overwhelming amount of evidence to support this. its a no brainer. if it werent for name recognition, his volatile play style and personality, no way would he get this much attention. Is career is average. A disappointment for a #1 overall pick,made worse when hes a distant 4th best Qb from his own draft class.
I always said he seems like a cool guy and he is good in the community. its never been personal. I like my brother in law but id never go into business with him.
May 11th, 2026 at 8:35 pm
What’s hateful and what hogwash? I really don’t disrespect nobody, I don’t engage in vulgar language. I use facts and analytics, advanced metrics. I go beyond the “he sucks” conversation. I just won’t be bullied or intimidated.
May 11th, 2026 at 9:02 pm
Sal Volatile: Regarding the potential for a trade, I was thinking about the same potential prior to the draft, but post draft I’m thinking no. And — as two-faced as any high level executive might be, I really don’t see a trade happening after all of the publicized “Baker is our guy” narrative. Too much of that is career suicide.
Oneilbuc: This one is my favorite — “If they resign Baker Mayfield without at least a NFC Championship game will be a bad idea.” Really? Sounds to me to be a prescription for a record-level signing. There’s no reward without risk.
For the remainder of antibakes: Baker has not been playing for a deep-playoff capable team since he arrived, but has performed well with consistent pass protection and solid play-calling, i.e. Liam Coen.
Odds are that Baker gets signed. Both sides are likely currently working to get their “best” deals, deals that are also likely to be team-friendly because a deal that works for both enable better odds to winning. Baker is already loaded. What he wants is to win it all — in Tampa.
May 11th, 2026 at 9:47 pm
Good to see your dislike of Baker is limited to his ability as QB and not personal! Hate goes to deep and from Star Wars will take one to the Dark Side! Not an excuse but an observation from watching Baker TT, OU , the Browns,Panthers,Rams and now the Bucs, Baker must have structure and discipline to be successful. With the exception of his short stint with the Rams, he has had neither. 8+HCs/OCs has put him into the to many cooks in the kitchen mentality. Roll the dice on 2026, for the Bucs to be successful, Baker has to up his game! If he doesn’t, he want be back. Time will tell and never worry about what you cannot control is my motto.
May 11th, 2026 at 11:25 pm
What exBrown said about Baker never playing for a deep playoff worthy team is pretty much true. But BM6 has had amazing years none the less. The 2 times he has had good teams was in 2021 and he did beat KC with a team that had just went 1-41. It took inaction from the refs for KC to have the higher score but he did “beat” Mahomes. The second team was with Coen and he was in the top 5 that year. If Baker would have been handed the keys to the kingdom like Mahomes was given Baker would have dominated. Instead he has had to fight for everything. His time will no doubt come and if you think that we will forget the bs that the haters have spewed about our qb you are sadly mistaken. Sometimes being held accountable is healthy. 😉
May 11th, 2026 at 11:32 pm
exBrowns02 Says:
May 11th, 2026 at 9:02 pmAnd — as two-faced as any high level executive might be, I really don’t see a trade happening after all of the publicized “Baker is our guy” narrative. Too much of that is career suicide.
^^^^^
You are missing the point I have been making for months. In my view Baker and his contract are out of sync with the team overall. I’m sure the Bucs would like to keep him but he is not fitting in with the likely future direction of the coaching staff. Bowles will either finish the last two years of his contract or he won’t. Baker’s contract falls in the middle. Think through the scenarios if Bowles stays or goes and what the odds are that Robinson gets promoted. Regardless Baker must see much uncertainty. All the owners have to do is not offer Baker what he feels is fair and provoke him to ask for a trade. The Bucs can then absolve themselves and say we wanted him to stay but were unable to come to terms. Thus they lay the blame at Baker’s feet and set themselves up for the rebuild next year. The owners save tens of millions and angle for a top pick in 2027 and start feeding hopium to the fans. Again.
Do I want Baker to stay ? YES. I proclaimed him to be our version of Drew Brees if he was provided the right coaching staff. I like the guy and feel he is underrated. He has succeeded far more than most thought he would and under very difficult circumstances.
In my opinion it is not his talent that is in question. What doesn’t fit with the Bucs is his market value and timing. If I can envision this scenario you can bet others have as well. We as fans cannot be sure that Baker is even happy here after all that has happened. {{Baker put himself on the line for the Bucs with a one year prove it deal and proved it and now the owners are asking him to do it again.}} I know what I would tell them. The owners need to prepare for major change next year and that makes Baker collateral damage. If the owners truly care about him they will see that he goes somewhere that offers market value and 4 years. That’s what Baker and his family deserve. That and a likely bigger and more loyal fan base.
May 11th, 2026 at 11:47 pm
Let me reiterate; {{Baker put himself on the line for the Bucs with a one year prove it deal and proved it and now the owners are asking him to do it again.}}
Not just the owners but fans and others as well are asking him to prove it again.
How would you feel ? I know how I would feel.