“Most Likely Outcome”
August 22nd, 2026
Has leverage over Bucs.
A veteran NFL reporter plugged in at One Buc Palace (Joe sees him there a couple of times a year) believes the Bucs are not chained to quarterback Baker Mayfield after this year.
Dan Graziano of ESPN doesn’t believe, as some do, that Mayfield will give the Bucs the finger and bolt to Pittsburgh after this season when his contract runs out. But if the Bucs cannot come to a contract agreement with Mayfield, Graziano thinks the Bucs have options.
(No, Graziano does not suggest Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht should draft C.J. Carr, Julian Sayin or Trinidad Chambliss.)
Mayfield has leverage over the Bucs, Graziano believes, and the team would be wise to come to Mayfield’s agent with their hats in their hands and agree to his demands.
Most likely outcome: The Bucs rebound and return to the top of the NFC South. Mayfield plays the way he did his first two years there. They even win a playoff game or two. The Bucs could use the franchise tag on him, but with about $30 million in dead money set to hit their 2027 cap because of Mayfield’s contract voiding, they’re better off giving in to his demands and signing him to a long-term contract before the void date. Mayfield says he wants to finish his career as a Buc.
So Graziano is spooked by the $30 million of dead cap the Bucs would be on the hook for if they franchise tag Mayfield. Joe isn’t so sure.
If you really believe Mayfield (or any quarterback) is the guy and he will lead your team to the Super Bowl, so what if $30 million is tied up? If a team is worried about $30 million being tied up, then maybe that quarterback isn’t your guy.
The Bucs also could tag and trade Mayfield. It’s been done several times across the NFL.
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:06 am
Start Daniel’s week 1 and you’ll get your answer.. Simple..
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:06 am
Looks like he has lost 10-15 pounds
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:10 am
Let’s hope Jake Browning LIGHTS it up tonight because he IS the #2 quarterback and if Baker goes down sometime this season he will have to carry the load.
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:14 am
Just sign him already.
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:14 am
Oh here we go. Now undrafted Daniels is the answer? Name one undrafted QB to win the SB in 60 years. Right. Kurt Warner. The only one.
So pinning your hopes on this kid after one preseason game is just stupid.
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:18 am
Pittsburg still has collective trauma from Baker beating them like ,a drum in that playoff game 6 years ago. If you cant beat them join them. The draft us,a crapshoot. Better to go with a proven player. Baker will play like its 2020 all over again.
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:20 am
All starting caliber QBs have contract leverage over their teams, because the league lacks talent at the position. Years ago, half the league had starting caliber QBs as backups who were just waiting for their opportunity to start. Things have changed in college and QBs have regressed, choosing to chase the money with transfer protocols and NIL deals. They don’t settle-in, they don’t master their offense.
Baker 15-20 years ago would have been in the bottom quarter of the league as a starter. Last season, when he got hurt, someone would have been good enough to replace him, potentially done well enough that we may have had QB competition going into this offseason. None of that noise is happening around the league anymore. I mean when is the last time that an aging veteran “backup”…like a Jacoby Brissett is leveraging deals in Arizona, are you kidding?
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:27 am
Zoo boy. Interesting interpretation of NIL..I would point to Jalen Danieks,and 4 plus years in college why he was success full as,a rookie out of The gate. Last year was,a disaster due to injury but the fact running QBs get crunched pre dates,NIL.
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:28 am
Someone name a viable, affordable option to replace Baker. Keep it realistic too and factor in availability, price tag, experience etc. I’ll wait…
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:28 am
@Joe wouldn’t they be on the hook for both the voided money & the tag? Which means they would be taking a $80m+ cap hit next season. I’m pretty sure the voided money hits before they can tag him too.
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:33 am
Whatever. The idiot Baker is playing for 37 million this year instead of 50. He also turned down a guaranteed 50 million next season, now he has nothing guaranteed for next year. Is this dope still letting his family handle his finances? Maybe the Bucs think he’s to stupid to sign long term? Anyway, thanks for playing for less, better hope your gamble pays off.
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:34 am
He will be signed before the season starts. After tonight’s game and before the last meaningless preseason game Baker Mayfield will be a Buc for the next three years, period. How do I know, I don’t. The Glazers tend to react positively to deadlines and time constraints, they won’t allow this distraction to ruin a great season.
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:35 am
We are almost 3 months from 2027, time to move on. When the career of a starting NFL Qb averages about 4.5 yrs and the average player less than 4, you are well beyond the statute of limitations for a return to glory. Teams/plays that have to look in the past to convince you of their greatness are not looking forward toward future greatness
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:37 am
Release Him. Lets see where he goes.
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:40 am
Steve V —
Probably the best pragmatic suggestion I’ve ever read…that will never happen…but your suggestion remains the best I’ve ever read.
At first I was entirely dismissive with a mental hand wave, and proceeded to all the other comments.
Then I hit the breaks, backed up, and re-read your post.
And was like, “Bruh! Yeah! Bruh!”
So thank you for this Saturday morning mental exercise.
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:42 am
Re-rign him, extend him or whatever. It’s the smartest move. Then draft a guy to develop like GB did with Rodgers.
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:45 am
Rohaeleieio Says:
“Release Him. Lets see where he goes.”
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You are the winner Rohaeleieio, of the dummest comment, NOT for today, NOT for this week, in the history of JBF.
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:47 am
Seems to me like a no brainer to have extended him months ago. But those with alot more experience than me, and alot more money than me, don’t agree with me.
So who cares? We’ve got us a football season fast approaching, and besides having the best team Baker has had since he’s been here, Baker looks to be in his dead prime.
An above average QB and an above average team. We’re fixing to find out just how above average we are. Gentlemen, place your bets!
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:58 am
Most likely outcome: The Bucs rebound and return to the top of the NFC South. Mayfield plays the way he did his first two years there. They even win a playoff game or two.
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I would slightly change that to “…the way he did his first two AND A HALF years there”.
Like a few here, such as DR, I believe the defense will be much improved this season. I believe they have a CHANCE to be top 10. But DEFINATELY top 12.
The offense, baring catastrophic injuries as we experienced in ’25, should also DEFINATELY be top 10, maybe slightly better. Now that Via is signed, the Bucs front 7 looks really good. What player is the other team going to double? VV, Kancy, Yay, or Bain??
Best D talent the Bucs have had since the Super Bowl. And what we have now is still NOT to that level.
That is a playoff team. Yes we have lots of rookies we are hoping can add a LOT to this improvement, and THEY ARE LIKELY to make a lot of mistakes in the beginning of the season. But by the end of the season, when we are in the playoffs, they will all be vets.
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:59 am
Ok Chibuc and Hodad. Who is the,savior? Lets name names rather point to some amorphous glorious future in the sky.
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:07 am
@ZOOComics
That is such a bs statement baker would be top ten all day 20 years ago. Here goes starting qbs from 2005 20 years ago. List who was not better than mayfield.
Kyle boller ravens, Kelly Holcomb bills, Carson palmer bengals, dilfer browns, Plummer broncos, David Carr Texans, left wich jaguars, Trent green chiefs, Gus ferrrotte sage rosenfels dolphins, Chad Pennington jets, Kerry Collin’s raiders, Michael Vick falcons, Jake delhomme panthers, Kyle Orton Rex grossman bears, drew bledsoe cowboys that year he was horrible , Joey Harrington lions, Culpepper Vikings, Aaron Brooks saints, Eli manning giants, McCabb eagles, bulger rams, Alex smith 49rs, Matt hasselback Seahawks, Brian griese bucs, brunell redskins.
That’s 25 qbs worse than mayfield you can debate 2-3. So giving you that that’s still 22-23 worse and then mayfield. So quit just saying things to sound smart and go look before you say something.
Bucs qbs 15-20 years ago.
2005 griese 6 starts Chris simms 10 starts
2006 Gradkowski 11 starts, Chris simms 3 starts, Tim rattay 2 starts
2007 Garcia 13 starts, Luke Mccowan 3 starts
2008 Jeff Garcia 11 starts, Brian Griese 5 starts
2009 Josh freeman 9 starts Josh Johnson 4 starts, Byron left which 3 starts
2010 Josh freeman 16 starts 3,451 yards 25 tds
Baker over all of those any day of the week also.
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:07 am
Joe … ‘If you really believe Mayfield (or any quarterback) is the guy and he will lead your team to the Super Bowl, so what if $30 million is tied up?’
Interesting question Joe, but it’s NOT $30 mil tied up. It’d be $80 mil (maybe a bit more) because if you franchise tag him (roughly $50 mil), the entire franchise tag amount PLUS his Dead CAP would be his CAP hit for 2027. That’s $80 mil plus is probably 25% of our 2027 salary CAP for just ONE position.
We all know that’s cost-prohibitive, in our case, because of our other high-dollar contracts. Making it worse, we’ve got expensive contracts coming up next year to Mauch, Godwin, Browning, Tucker, Durham & several others on offense, plus for Robinson, RNR, Diaby, Muhammad, Nelson & several others on defense. Plus new contracts for our S/Ts (McLaughlin & Dixon). IF we do well this year (what we’re all HOPING I would hope), then 2027’s salary CAP will end up being a real challenge.
It all comes down to WHAT are we trying to build IMO. Do we want a team (like Seattle) that MIGHT be successful with an average QB running a strong offense & supported by a strong defense & S/Ts? OR do we want to go the route of Kansas City & several others who have a bonafide franchise QB (paid accordingly) who can MAYBE bring an average team up to playoff contention level?
Seems apparent to me that the Glazers have opted for Option 1 of those 2. And Baker NEEDS a strong TEAM around him to be successful. It is possible to have BOTH, but as we saw in 2020 & 2021, it’s VERY EXPENSIVE paying for that in the following years.
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:11 am
Lt. Dan Says:
August 22nd, 2026 at 8:28 am
Someone name a viable, affordable option to replace Baker. Keep it realistic too and factor in availability, price tag, experience etc. I’ll wait…
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Soooooo, name a QB who could replace Baker behind a top 5 Oline and the best receiver room in the league and go 28-26 in three seasons?? Let’s see: Browning and Jaylon Daniels!
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:15 am
Speaking of D talent and that if it weren’t for Brady, Licht would not have a job. If you hold to this theory (talking to you Marine), you are blind and foolish.
The D of the Bucs has sucked for years. Why? All the talent is on offense. Isn’t that would you build for when you have a good QB? EVERY team builds around the QB.
The 2019 talent that the Bucs had is what made Brady come to the Bucs, fools. And have no doubt, Licht promised he would sign Gronk, AB, Super Bowl Lenny, etc.
BUT, fools, the BUCS DEFENSE is what won the SB. Pat M was render impotent in that game.
Defensive Linemen:
Ndamukong Suh: Signed in 2019
Vita Vea: Drafted/Signed in 2018
William Gholston: Drafted/Signed in 2013
Beau Allen: Signed in 2018
Rakeem Nuñez-Roches: Signed in 2018
Linebackers:
Lavonte David (ILB): Drafted/Signed in 2012
Devin White (ILB): Drafted/Signed in 2019
Shaquil Barrett (OLB): Signed in 2019
Jason Pierre-Paul (OLB): Acquired via trade/signed in 2018
Defensive Backs:
Carlton Davis III (CB): Drafted/Signed in 2018
Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB): Drafted/Signed in 2019
Jamel Dean (CB): Drafted/Signed in 2019
Jordan Whitehead (S): Drafted/Signed in 2018
THAT is some serious talent. We don’t have that, yet.
In addition, JASON LICHT built that roster, NOT Brady. Shaw was an inexpensive signing at the time, who luckily turned into a SUPERSTAR. Ndamukong Suh signed a one-year contract worth $9.25 million, not exactly superstar money. Heck, not even quitter Reddick money.
Licht is one of the best in the league. Sorry all you Debbie downers don’t get that.
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:16 am
Kenton … ‘Seems to me like a no brainer to have extended him months ago.’
Far as we know, the Bucs made him a respectable offer (my opinion, not Baker’s), that he turned down and said he’ll take his chances. Baker’s perfectly willing to bet on himself in 2026, and then see where that leads him. Bravo!
Like you also wrote Kenton … ‘An above average QB and an above average team. We’re fixing to find out just how above average we are’. Yup, gentlemen, crank your engines. Here we go!
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:16 am
ATLBuc Says:
“Soooooo, name a QB who could replace Baker behind a top 5 Oline and the best receiver room in the league and go 28-26 in three seasons?? Let’s see: Browning and Jaylon Daniels!”
Not even close. He said viable.
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:17 am
It all depends on how well Baker plays this season.
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:17 am
Kyle Trask’s Preseason numbers so far for Carolina, are 10-13, 105-yards, 2-TD’s, and a pick. I saw last night’s highlights, and he looked really good. Real Calm. The Same. And, they just signed him LAST WEEK. I mean, it only makes the whole “Teddy Deal” even that much more puzzling, from last season. It’s Unbelievable. They kick HIM to the curb for a guy who THEY COULDN’T EVEN PLAY… AT ALL. A guy who’d been COACHING HS Football. Literally, right off the COUCH. I mean, take Lickt’s Career Record and everything else out of it, & it HAS TO BE a fireable offense. It’s MIND-BLOWING. The only reason had to be due to Baker’s weak “little-man” EGO. I mean, there can’t be ANY other reason than that. It’s just as SHOCKING today, as it was then. I’d MUCH RATHER pay $2-MIL a year LoL, than what we got LAST YEAR from BAKER for $30-$35-MIL. Much less $50-$60MIL+ 💯 You have to look at the ‘opportunity’ COST.
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:22 am
Just think of the all-out FIRESTORM (even nationally), if Trask was to THUMP Baker… Think about if it were to happen here at RayJay!!!! SHEW. Now, WHOA.
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:23 am
ATLBuc: “”…Let’s see: Browning and Jaylon Daniels!?
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So ignorant its laughable:
Browning 2025 stats: 771 Yards, 6 TDs, 8 Ints, OBR: 35
Or, UNDRAFTED, No one wanted, Jaylon Daniels
Joe, REALLY, its time for requiring an intelligence test before anyone can post
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:26 am
We might finally witness Baker deciding to ‘sit-out’ a game for once. It’d be cc just DEVASTATING. To all involved. For the entire Franchise.
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:26 am
I agree with you again, Kenton. We should have already extended him. Paying him next season will cost *A LOT* more! Let’s hope the starting O-line is in there all season this time. Now that will make a huge difference! Also the defense sure looks like they will be a lot better. It may take them a few games for everything to gel, but I expect high effort at least on every play. And we have good-great talent on every level.
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:28 am
Bonzai!!
Any QB in the league could go .500 behind our Oline, our running backs and receivers. ANY!!! Like DR said, Baker needs a strong team around him. And he has one. Yet he’s only 2 games above.500. What’s so franchise about that?
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:28 am
Pittsburgh has a young draftee from Penn state they like who can learn for a year under Rogers. The thought of them signing Mayfield to anything close to what the Bucs are offering him is fantasy. Mayfield is an idiot not taking what the Bucs are offering. He’s delusional if he thinks another team will top Tampa s offer. So are fans if they believe he’s worth more.
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:34 am
Senor Harry,
I still say that any qb can be inserted into our lineup and go .500 like Mr Mayfield has done since coming here. I didn’t say take us to the Super Bowl. I said they could match the 28-26 record Baker has accumulated here. You act like that’s a tough task. Jameis could go .500 behind this line with our receivers.
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:34 am
By the way, who coached that 2020 defense that was so awesome?
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:39 am
Today! Hate to say it but Flacco has played better then your all -world mentor Rogers …Since Rogers won the SB he hasn’t done squat!
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:44 am
@ATLBuc: “Let’s see: Browning and Jaylon Daniels!” You seem to have missed the main point of this exercise…””keep it realistic”.
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:46 am
Baker hasn’t always had all that strong of à team around him. He has one now if we don’t lose a ton of good players to injuries again.
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:49 am
“Release Him. Lets see where he goes.”
To start for about 20 of the 32 teams in the league… as of tomorrow.
August 22nd, 2026 at 9:49 am
people need to slow the f down on jalen, he completed a chunk of basic passes against a third string jets team. he’s got some talent and could be good, but he needs to develop some more before making him qb2
August 22nd, 2026 at 10:02 am
@ ATLBuc – It really has A LOT more to do with the NFC SOUTH Division, than it does about anything else. It’s the literal ONLY thing that SAVED BAKER in 2023. 💯
August 22nd, 2026 at 10:11 am
This is as tiring as all the Mike Evans stories. Just sign Baker and let’s friggin GO!
That’s your best option.
August 22nd, 2026 at 10:14 am
@ ATLBuc – That and Antonio Winfield JUNIOR (morphing into ED REED), in 2023. Saved HIS ASS. Though, now it’s just “Antonio Winfield Junior.” They’re going to REALLY need it to be the “Antonio Winfield JUNIOR” version again, for this season.
August 22nd, 2026 at 10:21 am
Still waiting for more than one playoff win from Baker.
I realize he has the anchor wrapped around his neck of the Todd Bowles Swiss cheese scheme.
That is likely a huge reason why his record isn’t better than 28-26.
Even Brady couldn’t overcome the inept coach who was gifted his job from BA.
But I don’t see Mayfield being any better than the 2024 version.
And we didn’t even win one playoff home game that season. Let him walk.
August 22nd, 2026 at 10:30 am
JustOneGame Says: “@Joe wouldn’t they be on the hook for both the voided money & the tag? Which means they would be taking a $80m+ cap hit next season. I’m pretty sure the voided money hits before they can tag him too.”
Partially accurate. Yes, if they tag him the $30M left on the books, currently spread over three year, will hit the books in 2027. So yes, that would be an $80M cap hit. The voided $30 will not hit on the 2027 cap unless they tag him. If they just let him walk, it remains spread over 3 years.
Hodad Says: “Whatever. The idiot Baker is playing for 37 million this year instead of 50. He also turned down a guaranteed 50 million next season, now he has nothing guaranteed for next year.”
Can you please cite your source for the guaranteed money claim? I have not seen anything from either the Bucs or Baker’s team on what was guaranteed. A lot of speculation from keyboard GMs but nothing from any source that actually knows anything!
August 22nd, 2026 at 10:44 am
More fodder to get readers. Graziano knows as much about what is going on with the Bucs organization as I do. How many reports did we read from “insiders” about a Vita Vea trade?
In fact, Graziano, himself, wrote of scenarios involving a trade with the Bills and even floated one where Vea could be traded to Philly for Jalen Hurts.
August 22nd, 2026 at 10:48 am
Bucs seem terrified to have a large amount of dead cap again. Just looked, Saints have $114 million, $36 million of which is Derek Carr (how long has HE been gone?)
August 22nd, 2026 at 10:56 am
I’m ok with him leaving
August 22nd, 2026 at 10:58 am
“Top of the nfl south” – oh thank the heavens. We won this dumpster fire of a division again.
Get to the nfc championship game and we can talk.
Also – are you watching Aller? It’s only a few preseason games but they have an offensive HC that can develop QBs and they likely got a steal with him.
August 22nd, 2026 at 11:01 am
Beeej Says: “Bucs seem terrified to have a large amount of dead cap again. Just looked, Saints have $114 million, $36 million of which is Derek Carr (how long has HE been gone?)”
This is why I keep saying those who say the Bucs hold all the cards may be mistaken. If Baker plays well, he has all the leverage. If they don’t give him an offer he likes, he will force them to tag him. The minute they do that, the $30M hits the 2027 cap, even if they come to a subsequent agreement. They can play all the usual cap games on that agreement but with the $30M is on the books for 2027, it will likely mean pushing dead money into future years. I just don’t see them taking an $80M cap hit in 2027.
August 22nd, 2026 at 11:03 am
ATLbuc – “Any QB in the league could go .500 behind our Oline, our running backs and receivers.”
Not surprisingly, another genius who thinks a team’s record is laid solely at the QB’s feet. Record has absolutely nothing to do with how good a QB is. Just ask Matt Stafford’s Detroit Lions teams. 74-90-1 in the regular season and 0-3 in the playoffs. Man, Stafford sucks!!!
Love to see “any QB in the league” with last year’s Bucs Oline and wide receivers. For many games, the Bucs were missing three out of their four top receivers. Not single game with the entire starting O-line. Most of the time, only two or three of them in the game.
August 22nd, 2026 at 11:20 am
Love how all the experts mention Bakers offensive talent and forget to mention the defensive that was so putrid that those same mooks are convinced that’s the reason why our hall of fame receiver in Evan’s dipped! 3-28 remember, guess not, and the team is only played on one side of the ball and is singular like golf or tennis. And others are proclaiming were stacked with talent this year, but need to tell Baker to find a new team and want to place everything on hold for a Rookie draft pick to hopefully pan out in 2-4 yrs! Got it
August 22nd, 2026 at 12:00 pm
He’s had one ‘outlier’ year, under COEN. And, it was farrrr from perfect. He was SO BAD early in 2023, that over 90% of the fanbase WANTED to give KYLE TRASK a shot. The ONLY thing that saved HIM was a bunch of empty STATS late in ballgames that we trailed in, AND the games he won at the end of the season against the NFC SOUTH Division. EVEN those games were a HUGE STRUGGLE. He was SO BAD that he FAILED to find EVEN ONE OFFER, during that following offseason… Other than the BUCS offer of 3-years/$100-MIL. Then, we ALL KNOW what happened last season… Clearly, easy to see. You have to allow this season to play-out FIRST. Cause, you better be 💯 DAMN SURE before you just hand HIM over that type of money.
August 22nd, 2026 at 12:10 pm
ATLBuc, “I still say that any qb can be inserted into our lineup and go .500 like Mr Mayfield has done since coming here.”
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I learned a long time ago in life that some people believe what they want to believe no matter what the facts are: Aliens are here. The CIA killed JFK. The moon landing was fake. COVID-19 was engineered by the media.
Last season with the injuries the Bucs had could not have been worse, wouldn’t you agree. Yet Mayfield still got us to one more win over 500. And I will admit, he was awful in the second half of the season. But you think these 2 QBs could have done better, lol
August 22nd, 2026 at 12:20 pm
JeffBuc nailed it. THAT is door #2!
August 22nd, 2026 at 12:43 pm
No. You play that stupid guessing game withe your crystal ball. Many unforseen, undrafted, and even a Mr. Irrelevant have gone on to be extremely successful. Not to mention high draft picks and 2nd chance guys (uh, Baker) who have met expectations. Were Kurt Warner and Sam Darnold among your prophecies?
If you are looking for a “savior,” you don’t stand a chance. It takes a TEAM to win a SB. Dumping a 6th+ of your cap into one player right before a potential coaching (entire reboot) regime change is “jumping the shark.” You can play Fonzie, I prefer wait and see
August 22nd, 2026 at 12:46 pm
Harry is right. It’s been the injuries that held us back…every time! The last time we went into the playoffs not decimated by injuries we took home the Lombardi. At least the team is a little deeper this year. That may end up helping quite a bit.
Stay healthy and win, Bucs! LFG!
August 22nd, 2026 at 12:46 pm
“Kyle Trask’s Preseason numbers so far for Carolina, are 10-13, 105-yards, 2-TD’s, and a pick.
“jameis could”
Need we anymore evidence of why the adults consider the kiddie posters here total nitwits
They are still riding trask and Jameis of all people.
Sign Baker and trade this portion of the fan base for a peanut. nut for nut fair trade.
August 22nd, 2026 at 12:50 pm
Joe Bob Pigskin … ‘Just sign Baker and let’s friggin GO! That’s your best option.’
Easier said than done Joe Bob. The salary CAP, for all its flaws, is still real. The NFL operates under a strict hard salary cap, meaning teams are legally not permitted to start the season— or be at any point during the league year—over the cap. If a team attempts to start the season or remains over the limit illegally, the NFL enforces severe penalties. Examples:
o Fines: The league can fine the team and its management upwards of $5 million for each violation.
o Voided Contracts: The NFL has the authority to cancel or void player contracts deemed in violation of cap compliance.
o Loss of Draft Picks: The league can confiscate or strip teams of future draft picks.
o Transaction Freezes: The franchise is barred from signing any new players or making roster adjustments until they are fully compliant and back under the salary cap.
Those penalties are prohibitively severe, and although teams can ‘massage & manipulate’ their salary CAP on an annual basis, eventually each has to PAY THE PIPER. A good example of that IMO is New Orleans. The Saints racked up a lot of bills under Sean Payton, and when he left after the 2021 season, they fell into CAP he11. Starting in 2022 they’ve ranked #32, #25, #26, #20 & #22 in salary CAP (based on Top-51 players) … an average ranking for those 5 years of 25 … and with an AVERAGE Dead CAP over those 5 years of $73 mil per year. Their combined record for 2022-2025 has been 27-41 (a very likely impact of having to carry an average $73 mil Dead CAP for those years).
August 22nd, 2026 at 12:56 pm
I’m with you, MikeBuc. Baker would start on 80% or more of all NFL teams right now. He’s a top 5-10 QB. We should pay him before he gets even MORE expensive. And he will be able to play for many years yet to come. 53M per year will also feel like peanuts 4 years from now. Salary cap goes up like 35M every year. He’s looked sharp as heck this preseason. Can’t wait to see how he looks tonight. The Bucs will be far better than the national media expect as long as we don’t have 150M in the training room again.
August 22nd, 2026 at 12:58 pm
@Senor Harry
We actually finished a game under .500, 8-9. You’re making my point. A QB who needs everything around him to be perfect in order to be successful is not a franchise QB. How many times has Mahommes taken his team to the Superbowl while they were rife with injuries?
The year they lost to us in the Super Bowl their Oline was decimated with injuries. Yet, he put that team on his back and won crucial games. THATS a franchise QB. One that makes players around him better.
I like Baker but 28-26 is not the record of a franchise QB. Anyone who thinks he is loves Baker more than they love the Bucs.
August 22nd, 2026 at 1:17 pm
Again, Stafford “sucked” his whole time with the Lions. Mahomes hasn’t been all that hot the past few years. You don’t win a Super Bowl without a TEAM. Ask Dan Marino. Or look back at all the teams that typically win it. They are almost always solid top to bottom. A QB is like icing on the cake. They cannot do it themselves! Let’s give Baker another season behind our whole starting offensive line and see how well he does. My guess? Excellent.
August 22nd, 2026 at 1:51 pm
Stpetematt Says:
August 22nd, 2026 at 1:17 pm
Again, Stafford “sucked” his whole time with the Lions.
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He did mostly. He padded his stats because the other teams were in the prevent defense after the first quarter.
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Mahomes hasn’t been all that hot the past few years. – That’s because his salary, the salary you want to give to our journeyman QB, doesn’t allow the team enough good players around him. Yet, when he’s healthy they always make it deep into the playoffs. That’s a franchise QB. Not one that needs everything to be perfect to just have a 28-26 record with us.
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Ask Dan Marino. – Exactly!! He made it to the playoffs year after year, not .500 like Baker, and NEVER had a running game.
August 22nd, 2026 at 2:06 pm
I hope he leaves and we finally draft our franchise qb. I’ve been wanting him to go for a couple years now, I’m done with the overhype and infatuation from the local media and half the fan base. It’s honestly weird and really concerning how people act about an average qb who hasn’t done nothing in the league. I’m legitimately concerned about how people act about him.
August 22nd, 2026 at 2:16 pm
I can’t believe that there are more than sixty more comments on this topic. I’m assuming they’re on the topic, since I haven’t read them nor will I name the topic.
August 22nd, 2026 at 2:26 pm
The stupidity and level of low IQ is actually making my brain and eyeballs hurt….thank god i cant hear your voices because that would crush my ears… probably a mixture between chewbacca and the teletubbies
August 22nd, 2026 at 2:27 pm
That’s correct ModHair, but Brady’s “barely drafted” status skews that a bit.
August 22nd, 2026 at 3:02 pm
I was always torn on Daniels but I thought he had the talent to be a decent QB.
August 22nd, 2026 at 3:59 pm
Folks are acting like the Bucs never made an offer lol….
Bucs put a 2year deal in his face and he laughed at it….now he has to earn what he thinks he’s worth….
Baker and his agent overvalued themselves….it’s time to put up or walk
GO BUCS
August 22nd, 2026 at 4:05 pm
Why didn’t either Browning and Daniel’s win the “qb competition ” im sure they both got 1st team reps this pre season.Im guessing Mayfield isn’t a “franchise qb ” He’s just good enough for this season ??
August 22nd, 2026 at 4:13 pm
@Obvious Your boy Alluer took a Big Ole sh!+ against the jets last nite?? Even with the all-world mentor at his side…No dont know Sh!+…
August 22nd, 2026 at 4:27 pm
plan C or plan D……..very well could be this…if they think they just might have found something in daniels…
franchise baker next year, so he is paid lovely…
get rid of browning…
move daniels to #2 qb…
two years from now, daniels is given the starting job, and bye bye baker…
and of course bring back dan orlofsky as qb 3… 🙂
this is maybe even possibly plan E or F…because as of right now who really knows what we have in daniels…
but a top tier front office like the bucs are definitely leaving no stone unturned in thought processing
August 22nd, 2026 at 5:39 pm
This year is the team the trolls built! Licht drafted a qb,signed a back up,didn’t extend Mayfield,extended Vea,drafted a LB an edge signed an experienced LB drafted evans replacement..The list goes on and on ..Its all on the trolls this year and you know if it pans out they’ll take the credit and if it goes south they can still blame Bowles!!!
August 22nd, 2026 at 5:49 pm
If the Bucs win the NFC South and win a playoff game or two, then they’ll give Baker a huge new extension – along with giving Bowles an extension. The two are tied at the hip together.
August 22nd, 2026 at 6:27 pm
Baker sucks. Just look at his record. It’s plain as day.
He’s a born loser. A real Munson.
August 23rd, 2026 at 11:59 pm
Who is writing these articles in JoeBucsFan? Are you lying or just stupid?
It is not $30M Bucco. It is $30M Contract Void + $47M Franchise = $77M the team HQ has to come up with in CapSpace by 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 11, 2027. You do not franchise a player and not have the cap space in reserve. If they are not Cap Compliant by that time, the Franchise Tag voids. What will it take to be Cap Comliant. A lot. Restructuring massive number of void dollars into 2028, 2029 and 2030 from other big player contracts and cutting core veterans. Just to afford a peed off Baker for 1 more year who is being told he is not worth a 3-year commitment. Baker is not going to give Licht a break. He will call Licht’s bluff because he earned it.
I love the Bucs. But frankly, pay the man for 3 more years or let him walk to to another team who will invest in him. Why all this fuss to try to game Baker who will have already given us 4 team friendly contract years.