Brad Johnson Talks Baker Mayfield Contract Stress
June 5th, 2026
“You think they want me back in Cleveland, Mike?”
Yes, the Buccaneers want Baker Mayfield to be their quarterback of the future. They’re just not ready to pay him enough for Mayfield to sign a contract.
The two sides on opposite sides of the table and Mayfield has set a start-of-training camp deadline for a new deal. Joe loves the drama and, of course, Mayfield’s deadline is subject to change. (Isn’t everything?)
The OG Bucs Super Bowl winning quarterback, Brad Johnson, weighed in on Mayfield this afternoon with Rock Riley on 95.7 FM, WDAE, where the JoeBucsFan Show airs tomorrow at 11 a.m.
Johnson told Riley that contract negotiations can take a toll on the player and those around him. Johnson referenced how the Redskins traded for him in 1999 and he gave them a deadline for a new contract. They didn’t meet it and he moved on to Tampa Bay.
“Baker, I’m sure he’s talking to his agent probably every day about [contract] kinds of things,” Johnson said. “It can become a distraction for the player whether he admits it or not, It can become a distraction for the team.”
Johnson is a Mayfield fan and believes it’ll all work out in the end.
“You got really good people there, obviously Baker and Jason [Licht], they’ll come to the right sense of mind in the end and hopefully do what’s best for the Buccaneers and for Baker.”
Joe was intrigued by Johnson noting how a QB contract negotation can distract an entire team. Given how close Mayfield is with his teammates, Joe absolutely could envision that unfolding in Tampa.
June 5th, 2026 at 6:57 pm
The Bucs want Baker really bad just not bad enough to pay him. That makes sense. Lol. The Bucs obviously refuse to bid against themselves. If Baker was good they would’ve extended him a long time ago. They see Baker every practice, every game and they’ve let it go this far. He’s not the guy.
June 5th, 2026 at 7:03 pm
That scares me too. No distractions!!
June 5th, 2026 at 7:16 pm
The Bucs really want Baker but they just don’t want to pay him. That makes sense. Lol. Its very easy to see the Bucs don’t want him. He’ll finish his last season this year and move on. The Bucs are bidding against themselves. There have been ZERO reports of other teams interested in Baker. Hes not the guy.
The Bucs need a new direction at GM, HC and QB. This team needs fresh, young energy. The whole organization is stale and mediocre at best. No excitement, no buzz, nothing.
June 5th, 2026 at 7:27 pm
Let’s get this over and get “Born Again” Baker signed to a long term Franchise QB contract because he deserves it. anybody that doesn’t think we are lucky to have them is a ‘Football Fool’. Get him signed Jason and the Glazers NOW!! Don’t let this drag out. Go BUCS!!
June 5th, 2026 at 7:29 pm
why is Bee on this site? Buzzkill Bucs Fan!
June 5th, 2026 at 7:42 pm
It took darnold a Super Bowl…. Baker should get to work if he wants an extension
June 5th, 2026 at 7:48 pm
The elephant in the room is Bowles. He’s a Loser. Has been . Will be. Baker would be gone now if his contract didn’t run one more year, not that anyone would really want him. He showed his true self during 2-7 but at least has a head coach who couldn’t win with the 1985 Bears roster.
June 5th, 2026 at 8:04 pm
Hey make no mistake this will be a huge distraction for the team, especially the offense. The distraction started today with Baker basically telling everyone he is unhappy. In my opinion Baker tends to wear his emotions on his sleeve. Their is no way Baker is not taking this personally . He may actually play better however, he may press to hard and play worse. The team is already dealing with ME who left and was also unhappy it appears. The new players may begin to wonder why an Organization is not taking care of business. MD then Baker. We all know the press will be asking questions to the players about Baker, which will wear on the players. Yes the Bucs Organization better get a handle on this before it spirals. I agree about the years. Licht does not like long deals. I mean he could gave signed ME long term but chose the short deal and Mike walked. Licht seems to like the 1 to 2 year deal. My guess Baker views that as a snub!!!
June 5th, 2026 at 8:13 pm
How much, possibly, overpaying Baker could take away from pay towards future of fellow teammates to help build team and continuing continuity.
Mahoney is low on pay chart in comparison to other starting qb’s.
Am guessing sticking point is all about structure of contact. He wants it to look like a top 8 contract, at least. With next contracts of qb’s taken into consideration.
Big up front money?
June 5th, 2026 at 8:24 pm
We see time and again how the qb position sucks money out of the salary cap. It’s great when a team hits its draft choice, especially a lower round pick. (Think Mr. Irrelevant Purdy, and what flexibility he gave to the 9ers for a couple of years).
But reality strikes. Every team that has a quarterback has to pay handsomely. Every team that doesn’t have a quarterback has to search for one. In the end everyone is glad to pay for talent, especially qb talent.
June 5th, 2026 at 8:30 pm
Hi guys what i miss..Uhhh nothing still the winnings and crying of grown azz men! By the way Baltimore hasn’t extended Lamar either !
June 5th, 2026 at 8:41 pm
This is just disappointing. I get both sides of it. Fan in me says Baker is being divaish. Realist in me is saying get the bag and protect yourself, since he’s been cast aside before, Mike bolted and Bowles is on the hot seat. Then again, we gave Baker everything he wanted, essentially, when no one wanted him. This is tough. Just hoping it’s not a distraction
June 5th, 2026 at 8:50 pm
Bee = just another troll
How many are on here now?
June 5th, 2026 at 9:00 pm
I sense that it’s not the dollars, it’s the guarantees and protections from Baker losing his starting job. The Bucs don’t know if they’re getting MVP candidate Baker or the Stink Lord Baker that played the second half of last year. They’re probably trying to structure the deal so that if need be, they can cut him without some Tua/Russell Wilson $100M kind of dead money on the cap.
I love me some Baker Mayfield, but I get it. The Baker we saw at the end of the season was barely an NFL starting QB. He may have the toughness of Brett Favre, but he does not have the ability to play through injuries the way Favre did.
June 5th, 2026 at 9:12 pm
Count me in the “troll” squad. Happy to be a part of the group battling the Pom Pom squad.
Brad Johnson has a few things Baker never will. Clutch abilities and a SB title.
But Mayfield is going to be a lot richer when he retires. And that’s all he’ll have.
All the money and media lapdogs singing his praises. He’ll have it all.
Except for what matters most. Consecutive playoff wins in the same postseason and a SB ring. He’s never getting those.
June 5th, 2026 at 9:18 pm
Let’s not lose sight of the fact that if “poor’ Baker doesn’t get an extension, he’s guaranteed $30 million this year and he just made over $30 million for half a season past yr. Maybe if he refunded half his salary from last year, the deal would be done
June 5th, 2026 at 9:22 pm
I’d argue if Jason doesn’t sign Baker long term it will be one of his biggest blunders and will inevitably result in his demise as our GM. There is no tom Brady coming to free agency anytime soon and who would want to come to our offense without the likes of Evans and prime Godwin? Another gamble on a reclamation project? High draft pick QB? Baker has been significantly outperforming his contract the last 3 years. 5 years at 250 mil total would prob get the job done. How many QBs get paid more than that now? The salary cap is only going to go up! Sign the life and energy of this team now!
June 5th, 2026 at 9:59 pm
KABucs Says:
Bee = just another troll
How many are on here now?
=========================================
Not as many as it seems.
I’d bet big money that some of them are sock puppets.
June 5th, 2026 at 10:28 pm
I’m guessing some of the Pom Pom squad couldn’t get a date unless it was a sock puppet.
June 5th, 2026 at 10:41 pm
Zero.Zero evidence Baker is looking for Dak money. More likely, he’s looking fore more YEARS
June 5th, 2026 at 11:16 pm
Well, if Baker wants huge money, then he needs to understand that takes away from paying other players. Gotta meet in the middle. 4 years 48 should be the max imo….but what do i know, im no agent….but i did talk us into going after him and then signing him to a 3 year 99.999999 extension….so, i dont know. Be friendly Baker, you too Jason.
June 5th, 2026 at 11:18 pm
I still want to draft Mestemaker next year….need one waiting in the wings and who will be a true back up, and he can sit and learn a few years, properly.
June 5th, 2026 at 11:19 pm
Brad Johnson also had one of the best defense in NFL history
-David
June 6th, 2026 at 1:01 am
The Bucs hold most of the cards, Mayfield gets a nice payday this year, so probably needs to play extension or not. If they force him to play without an extension he’ll be bitter and if they win, he’ll bolt and if they lose Rod Munch will head somewhere to butter his popcorn
June 6th, 2026 at 1:12 am
You haters haven’t been right about anything Baker Mayfield, why would you change now. It’s time for Baker to do what’s good for Baker. I sure hope he stays but that’s between the big boys. I’m sure they are aware before he was hurt with the rest of the starting OL EVERYONE agreed he was the MVP. Pay the man and keep the MVP talent here!!!
June 6th, 2026 at 1:17 am
Baker will never want for money. When he retires the media will want him on their team. People love Baker wherever he goes.
June 6th, 2026 at 1:21 am
You idiots that talk like he wasn’t hurt last year are just that, idiots. Once again Lavonte David came out on his own and said “we couldn’t believe Baker was suiting up with all his injuries”. Baker was playing MVP ball before ALL his injuries and due to his shoulder, knee, foot, neck he didn’t play well. He should not have been playing but we didn’t have a backup qb, so….
June 6th, 2026 at 2:08 am
Just finding new ways to draft a first. A FRANCHISE QB! Baker NEEDS TO think this through.
I believe he’s a bit over his ski’s. Talking smack isn’t wise for multiple reasons on either side. Baker should “appreciate” the ONLY TEAM to give him “ONE LAST SHOT”..
He shouldn’t forget he “WAS” a three time loser Before Tampa Bay SAVED HIM…
Most haven’t forgotten and they CERTAINLY HAVEN’T FORGOTTEN Baker’s Very Own rendition of America’s QB “Jameis Winston” JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO!
I personally DON’T WANT TO lose Baker. I want to keep him. But the idea of our FIRST “DRAFTED” FRANCHISE QB EVER is Tantalizing… And the next draft HAS MULTIPLE BIG TIME ARMS taking the field. It’s said there maybe MORE THAN ONE hall of famer in the crowd, THIS VERY NEXT DRAFT! And let’s be perfectly honest. We’re “likely” to have a High Draft Pick in this next draft So….
Wise Up Baker. Please. Be smart man. I’d like to keep you around for awhile. DON’T cut your own throat being a bit too greedy.
June 6th, 2026 at 9:58 am
If you can’t handle contract stress you can’t handle playoff stress.
June 6th, 2026 at 10:10 am
Obvious one you are over your skis. Baker set a rookie TD record in 12 games. Herbert broke it in 16. Baker inherited a 1-31 team and made them respectable immediately. By his third season he crushed Pittsburgh in the playoffs then lost to the Chiefs only because the refs missed a targeting call and reversed a touchdown incorrectly. He was never a three time loser rather he was saddled with bad luck with broken teams. Once he got to a great team with the Rams we could see the reveal Baker. Now that he is back with a Rams coach he will thrive
June 6th, 2026 at 10:34 am
It’s obviously a big distraction on this website. After what Baker’s been through, dealing with ownerships, I don’t think he’s losing any sleep.
June 6th, 2026 at 10:35 am
It’s just a part of negotiating. Baker comes in high, the Bucs come in lower and they end up meeting in the middle.
The goal is to pay him, just not so much that it prevents the team from building around him. He want that too.
They’ll get it done at some point, assuming he doesn’t blow it on the field.
June 6th, 2026 at 10:40 am
Bring Max Johnson in as a camp invite next year
June 6th, 2026 at 1:11 pm
No one knows the numbers, years, etc. You can’t tell who is playing hardball. We’ll know soon enough. JL has handed out top of the market contracts like candy. Did he run out of money? Is the we love Baker act a smoke screen? I don’t trust JL at all. What happened to the drinks at the dive bar?
June 8th, 2026 at 8:08 am
Wow, how many Bucs fans on here so much diss to the team what ever happened to supporting your team no matter what Baker is our qb he has proven it he can get it one without injuries to my knowledge it wasn’t the offense last year it was our defense and lack of depth and personal so we need to stop the blame game there is a reason yall mother f$$$$$ on the couch not on side line let’s go Bucs excited for new season! ?