“The Big One’s Still Baker”
August 30th, 2026
Buccaneers GM Jason Licht.
When a team throws $100 million at a player and gets rebuffed, it’s a safe bet they really wanted the guy and aren’t willing to quit on securing his services.
The Bucs tossed that kind of cash on a two-year contract extension at Baker Mayfield last month and Mayfield said publicly he was irked the Bucs didn’t offer him a contract for 2029.
Ok. But there was a credible and high-profile report Mayfield delivered a counteroffer that did not include 2029.
Then last week, Jon Gruden, after spending several day immersed in all things Bucs, promised Bucs fans that the team and Mayfield aren’t far apart on a new contract. Why did Gruden go there on the Bucs’ preseason TV broadcast?
On Friday, longtime NFL insider Albert Breer of SI.com hopped on The Rich Eisen Show and said he thinks the Bucs are prepping to come back to Mayfield in the next week or so to nail down a contract extension.
“The big one’s still Baker,” Breer said of potential contract extensions across the NFL.
“I just think somebody there is going to say like, ‘Let’s take another swing at this,'” Breer said of Bucs management.
Breer went on to talk about how well the Bucs are run and how he’s certain the team doesn’t want Mayfield playing without a contract for next season.
On Friday, Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht was asked by Chris Myers on the Bucs’ preseason broadcast about the Mayfield contract status. Licht issued an odd and funny response: [Mayfield] “wants to prove to us he’s the franchise quarterback that we said he was.”
Mayfield is prone to volatile reactions when he feels disrespected. If the Bucs want to avoid what that uncertainty brings, they’ll find a way to lock down a Mayfield contract extension soon.
August 30th, 2026 at 9:56 am
I think with the Bucs want to nail this before the season starts. They have Vea wrapped up. I think it will get everyone on the team excited having this get done. If Gruden is correct, I think this happens before day 1
August 30th, 2026 at 9:57 am
About the only thing that will screw Baker (other than a repeat of the last 9 games of last year) is a blown achilles. That’s pretty much a career-ender for him
August 30th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Sign the guy, he’s good enough to win with. Bowles is the problem.
August 30th, 2026 at 10:03 am
If they haven’t signed him by now with the season opener 14 days away when the chances of real injuries begin to emerge for this guy, it’d be best to wait this one out. One injury like last year and with the turnstile that the offensive line is now, history may repeat itself.
August 30th, 2026 at 10:11 am
You do understand that NOBODY is expecting the Bucs to do anything this year, well other than the terminal Bucs fans.
We know what it’s like to be talked about as a serious contender for the season and there are ZERO professional football prognosticators talking about the Buccaneers as a Super Bowl contender or even deep playoff contenders.
August 30th, 2026 at 10:19 am
Browning just got cut. Bye bye to the statue. Jalon is QB2! Things will be very interesting this season.
August 30th, 2026 at 10:21 am
Jason Daniel’s and the first team reps! Would love to see him behind this great oline if anything happens to baker we are good.
August 30th, 2026 at 10:33 am
Please don’t expose your complete ignorance by saying that Jalon is a/the
Number Two Quarterback!
Bucs need to sign the best old vet that shows up on the waiver wire today!
Jalon has shown some encouraging signs
But he struggles with QB center exchanges
But he struggles with ball placement even though it’s the correct read.
Jalon has happy feet
Jalon needs time…
August 30th, 2026 at 10:34 am
ESPN is reporting that the Bucs have decided to keep Jalon Daniels as their #2 QB and to cut Jake Browning. I like Daniels but he is much too inexperienced to be the #2.
August 30th, 2026 at 10:38 am
Pay the man. Then move on.
August 30th, 2026 at 10:38 am
baker won’t miss a game this season, unless bucs are blowing a team out daniels won’t see the field. so if things are interesting this season is has nothing to do with jalen
August 30th, 2026 at 10:39 am
Daniels we might want 2 pump our breaks on just a bit. He played good but honestly against 3’s and 4’s and future insurance salesmen. The game he started he did nada so it’s a small sample size. Gotta get baker signed or we are going back to the days without a Qb. Bucs do not want to use franchise tag on baker I feel but they will if they have to.
August 30th, 2026 at 10:39 am
@SB-LV,
You may want to crank up the Google machine. Not saying there are MANY saying the Bucs are serious contenders, but it’s definitely not NOBODY.
And yes I can see it happening in the next couple of weeks. I remember Dak got done before kickoff or something like that a couple years ago.
From all the “reports” about what has been offered and/or counter-offered, I haven’t seen any info about guaranteed money. To me that’s the missing info on all this, and accepting what was offered could just be a bad business decision. If the guaranteed money is equal or less than a Franchise Tag which is fully guaranteed, I wouldn’t sign it either.
Is it a gamble, sure. But two years on a tag makes me a complete free agent afterwards. Doesn’t mean I don’t love the team and want to stay. But just ask yourself, if you were a 33-34 year old qb would you rather have just finished a two year deal and still be under the weight of the Franchise Tag? Or would you have rather taken the risk, gotten two years of guaranteed Tag money and are now an unrestricted free agent?
August 30th, 2026 at 10:40 am
Ok we all didn’t think Browning was the answer so who can we sign today/tomorrow ,, no way we go into this year without a true #2 ,, JD being kept isn’t a tribute to him, it’s a tribute to how bad Browning (and Balz) looked this preseason.
So who do we pick up , Wentz, Rush, Gabriel ,, who else gets cut today
August 30th, 2026 at 10:42 am
I’d def take Dillon or Wentz!
August 30th, 2026 at 10:45 am
Jalon is a true #2. He can only get better with live game snaps, not practice. Why do yall love old, broken down vets who can’t play so much? Vet doesn’t mean better. We need to see what he can do. Beside, Baker will more than likely play every game unless he gets injured for the season.
August 30th, 2026 at 10:49 am
It simply is not true that “nobody expects the Buccaneers to do anything this year.” The over under has been drifting up to 9 and the consensus on NFL channel is 10 wins.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:06 am
I am hoping Sam Ehlinger in Denver gets cut. We saw what Daniels did against the 3’s and 4’s last game. Ehlinger, also against 3’s and 4’s, was 15 of 20, 3 TDs, 1 INT and a rating of 131. Is he a potential long-term answer at QB, NO. But for all the Daniels fans, with all due respect, it’s the same answer.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:10 am
I’m glad they had the sense to release Browning.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:14 am
Jimmy Garoppolo is still unsigned. He was the Rams backup the past 2 seasons so he already knpws the system.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:21 am
Tucker made the team Williams got cut
August 30th, 2026 at 11:21 am
Good that Browning got cut, one less off the field distraction in the Hyundai Club this season.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:21 am
I am very surprised that Browning was cut. The Bucs are willing to gamble that Jaelon Daniels can get up to speed and do well under center. I am going to have to chew on this one for a while.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:25 am
The big one is can any QB survive in this offense? We need depth with good wheels at QB. Taylor Henichke just retired but is probably still in good shape. He is a little quick and can scramble which any QB in this offense is going to have to do. He is tough and can take a beating. He is a lower tier starter and a top tier backup. He is short like Mayfield and plays the same type of tough guy football. He is loved by every locker room he has been in. Oh yeah , he has coaching skills too, future OC potential.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:36 am
Daniels is QB 2, browning released
August 30th, 2026 at 11:48 am
No chance Bowles goes w a project for the back up QB in a season where he has to win to save his job,, Browning wasn’t going to help and we already saw what JD did against a 2s and 3s the other night . For those that say he played pretty good Fri night , his passes were a hair off, just enough off our #1s WRs would have got creamed trying to make just off catches against #1 Defenses
August 30th, 2026 at 11:51 am
QB movement starting to happen, Jags release Mullins, Panthers release Trask, Cinci releases Johnson,,, let’s go JL, make some magic
August 30th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
Congratulations to Daniels, he must be ecstatic. As I’ve said, if Baker goes down the season is over anyway, and at least Daniels would be more entertaining to watch.
August 30th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
Baker said negotiations are closed until after the 2026 season, so we will se if he is true to his word.
August 30th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
How about find a legit backup QB. I’m not saying Daniels doesn’t have potential, but having decent stats against 2nd and 3rd string talent doesn’t prove you are ready to step in for a starting QB in the NFL. JL knows better.
August 30th, 2026 at 12:17 pm
I actually side with the Buc Brass with this one. Sounds like a robust offer was made…shorter in term potentially. If Baker bets on himself…why not sign it while earning an even more lucrative contract after that? He’s taking a pretty big risk. This season feels shaky on a lot of levels.
August 30th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
Carson Wentz was
MVP right? Trask is a known entity?
Jalon Daniels- if he can run it from under center, install a shotgun formation.
All this fuss about how he’s not ready…
Didn’t we almost go to the Super Bowl with rookie QB Shaun King?
August 30th, 2026 at 12:23 pm
That’s the STUPIDEST fricken thing I’ve heard yet, from this bunch. PATHETIC if true. And, Lickt stood there and seemed totally fine with letting this season play out FIRST. I will be DONE if they do this. They had THEIR OUT. It was sooooo Fricking DUMB to offer HIM in the first-place. I mean, could they NOT SEE the lack of TEAM DEPTH on THIS ROSTER!? Are they NOT AWARE of the sheer NUMBER of ‘ELITE’ QUARTERBACKS storming into the LEAGUE over the next 2-YEARS!? You PREPARE FOR THAT, and you BUILD UP THE ROSTER (if you’re smart and strategic). I mean, they are DELUSIONAL, if they THINK this team (ir any of this) is good enough. Then, it has to tell all of us that they are totally fine with bringing back the entire crew of LICKT AND BOWLES. Cause, that’s just EXACTLY what they are saying. They’re GOOD WITH IT. Now, let that sink in. HORRIBLE. I. WILL. BE. DONE. I was thinking the other night, that those Jacksonville Hats were looking awfully SWEET. I might just have to get one. It looked like the type of EXCITING modern day group, atmosphere, organization, AND type of ‘leadership’ that I’m BUYING INTO. But, NOT THIS WEAK TRASH HERE, that we have. I absolutely, will NOT support it. 💯 They EXTEND HIM for even the next 2-YEARS, and we’ll be PAYING FOR IT salary cap wise for 5-YEARS. Annnddd, we CAN’T overhaul the ROSTER. We are STUCK in this never ending NIGHTMARE. The Twilight Zone.
August 30th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
Encouraging that the Bucs had the “insight” to cut Browning. I did not think they had the smarts and balls to do so. Now they have to go out and find a true #2. Oh no, how will a new QB adjust to not being in the “Bowles system” for ST?
August 30th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
Ok Tucker restructured , we saved a million on the cap,, good move
August 30th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
SB~LV said – “there are ZERO professional football prognosticators talking about the Buccaneers as a Super Bowl contender or even deep playoff contenders.”
More hyperbole from a Bucs hater.
While it is true that very few have picked the Bucs to do anything but win their division (most have done that) there are three people at ESPN, alone, who have predicted a bit more from the team.
Kimberley A. Martin believes the Bucs can “easily be in the NFC title game”.
Dan Orlovsky said that the Bucs are an “on-paper NFC Championship contender”.
Dominique Foxworth went the furthest, believing that the Bucs can make it all the way to the Superbowl.
August 30th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
They do THIS and they’re going to deserve EVERYTHING THEY GET after getting boat raced in Dallas in front of a ‘national audience’ when they’re looking at THIS 1-4 Bucs Team, and KNOWING that they’ve just tied themselves to BAKER being on THEIR Salary Cap for the next 5+YEARS (after they keep pushing it, by kicking the can down the road). They. WILL. Deserve. It. And, oh boy… Is it ever COMING. Good-Luck, Glazers. Because, this fan base is already, ABOUT TO EXPLODE. I mean, if you do THAT, NOW!? Sounds like FUN.
August 30th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
Look, if the idiot would rather work cheaper let him. Why pay him 50 plus million, when he’s stupid enough to work for 37 million this season? Worry about next year next year. He’s under contract cheap this season, let it be.
August 30th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
2 years for 100 Million is basically franchise tag money for a QB, maybe even a little less (45M for year one and 55-60M for year 2). The only way Baker would sign that deal would be if it included language that prevented the Bucs from using the franchise or transition tags upon expiration. But I think the real issue is that this is a prove it year for Bowles (and I suspect his last year). And does JL want to saddle next year’s HC with Baker at QB, which is what a 3 year contract would do.
August 30th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
The most encouraging thing I have ever read on this website is MelvinJunior saying “I will be DONE if they do this.”
Please let it be so!
Please let it mean we never have to hear from you again!
August 30th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
@Hodad,
The issue isn’t just that he’s cheap this year. He carries a 40M dead money cap at the end of the season that gets applied to next year’s cap number if he isn’t resigned to a longer term contract before the end of the league year. So if he plays at 37M this year, and then the Bucs franchise him next year, to keep him from walking, he’ll have a $85M cap hit next year.
August 30th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
Browning demonstrated an EMBARRASSMENT of an effort. And, he was trying to blame his receiver on that tipped pass. It was a great play on the ball by the defender, BUT the ball was deflected like 8-yards BEFORE it even got there, and he starts screaming and motioning (being all animated) over to the WR, telling him to come back to the ball LoL… When, it happened 8-yards in front of him. It was another BAD PASS (one of the few, he even pulled-the-trigger on). 8-YARDS. I mean, what was he supposed to do… DIVE BACKWARDS 8-YARDS!? Teleport himself!? LoL. Then, he starts holding/rubbing his side as he walked off the field. He was HORRIBLE. Was never a viable option. He CAN’T PLAY.
August 30th, 2026 at 12:45 pm
I read Browning is gone so they are rolling with Daniel’s as QB 2. Better hope Bake stays healthy. I like Daniel’s and glad we kept him but he has a lot to improve on to be NFL ready!
August 30th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
Scott Mc
I have been a paying Buc fan for longer than you have been alive.
250 +- games in the stands as a season ticket holder.
0-26 and the first home game victory
“ SB~LV said – “there are ZERO professional football prognosticators talking about the Buccaneers as a Super Bowl contender or even deep playoff contenders.
More hyperbole from a Buc hater”
August 30th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
@ Scott McKirahan – Yeah, because “I” have been RIGHT on EVERY major move (and no move) over the past 2-YEARS+ now. EVERY contract decision, every FA decision, every coaching and personnel decision, & down to the play-calling (where “I” was the FIRST-ONE, to bring attention to the “Otton-Problem” in the run game, which also affected the passing game).
I was DEAD ON Godwin, Reddick, Baker’s 3-year/$100-MIL Deal. And, so much and often so… That, I’ve been thinking for over a YEAR NOW, that I should really have started a LIST.
Because, it’s really been THAT DOMINATING. I was again, THE FIRST ONE, who said (with still at least 3-4 games left in the season), that the Bucs FO better be getting their ‘ducks in a row’ with this upcoming COEN-situation… And, they better be willing to do “WHATEVER IT TAKES.” They canNOT allow HIM out the door.
But, I can go on… You’d really THINK that maybe, you all would’ve just LEARNED by NOW. I mean, good GOD. I’ve SMOKED you all SO HARD, time and time again, that I’m starting to believe that YOU LIKE IT!? Hell, you MUST. Anyway, I’ll be ‘right’ once again, on THIS. So, you’d be real smart to fall in line. You all must really enjoy being WRONG over and over, & again and again.
August 30th, 2026 at 1:32 pm
Justin simple, don’t franchise him. When he finds out no other team will pay him what the Bucs are offering he’ll come crawling back. That’s if the Bucs want him at that point. Thinking we can’t do better than Baker is folly.
August 30th, 2026 at 1:43 pm
MelvinJunior. You are crazy. As a loon. Anyone ever tell you that?
August 30th, 2026 at 2:30 pm
When a team throws $100 million at a player and gets rebuffed, it’s a safe bet they really wanted the guy and aren’t willing to quit on securing his services.
————
Well the Bucs could offer Baker a $300-million dollar deal and I’d have no issues with it, so long as the money wasn’t guaranteed. From what Baker said, that $100-million was a lot less than it seems, as it was very much the Bucs hedging and giving themselves an out if Baker resumes being the pumpkin he was from week 7 on last year – but also locked up Baker at a below market rate for 2027 and beyond. I don’t think it was a super serious attempt by the Bucs, just a pulse check to see what the Baker camp would come back with, and as expected, Baker wants all that money guaranteed (which he should, BTW, since guaranteed and signing bonus are your only certainty when it comes to money).
But it all comes down to Baker, who is betting on himself. If Baker performs like he did in 2024, then he’ll be a top 5 paid player in the NFL next year. If Baker performs like he did last year, then everyone at One Buc Place is getting fired and the team is rebuilding.
August 30th, 2026 at 2:44 pm
@Rod
Yeah the guaranteed money and years are what I oppose. Give him max 50-53 million a year for say 3 years with options for year 4-5 or what ever length. Baker even in his good years needs good players to win, if too much money is tied up to just him then no way he can play well so you are wasting money. Baker at the right price AND the right length has been the question.
August 30th, 2026 at 3:30 pm
Just speculation, but figure the Bucs didn’t offer Mayfield much at all in the way of guaranteed money that’s why he reacted the way he did. Clearly, both sides understand each other and Mayfield will be gone after this year barring a tremendous year and a tremendous offer.
August 30th, 2026 at 3:36 pm
Rod. If Baker plays like he did last year- 3800 yards, 26 TD passes, and 11 picks? Alot of QBs have won Super Bowls with lesser stats. Like last years Super Bowl winner.
It comes down to the team. Really Rod, just quit worrying about it, Baker will be fine. He’s a solid player, there is no doubt about that.
August 30th, 2026 at 3:42 pm
@Hodad,
I’m fine with that. Just know that it means we’ll be paying $40M in cap charges (about 15% of the cap) for a guy who may not even be on the roster next year. Good plan if next year is a salary balance year (like the Dolphins are doing this year) but if you want to compete next year, its gonna be a major hinderance. I still wonder if this has more to do with whether or not TB will be kept. Do you want to lock in to a QB for the next 3 years if you are going to show TB the door in December?
August 30th, 2026 at 4:26 pm
Too all the idiots saying Mayfield has been up and down
He’s had to learn a new offensive system, from a new offensive coordinator every year he’s been here.
How stupid does a team have to be, to allow that.
His starting WRs last year on occasion, were Tez Johnson and Kam Johnson.
Mayfield had no one to throw to- but a bunch of rookies and scrubs, most of the year. Emeka disappeared after Week 8. Invisible.
Only an idiot who knows absolutely nothing about football- would think a QB could succeed with that sh*tshow
This year- he only has Godwin- and a bunch of first year and rookies.
I think Mayfield is smart enough to leave this team. Said that here when the season ended.everyone laughed.
Not laughing now.
August 30th, 2026 at 4:36 pm
* to, not Too. Big fingers, not bad English comprehension
August 30th, 2026 at 7:17 pm
Paying Baker big money guarantees zero SB appearances.
He’s an overhyped bum. Scrap heap QB at best. Trade him while you can.
Don’t make a franchise crushing move that will set us back for years.
August 30th, 2026 at 7:59 pm
Of those predicting a new head coach for 2027, none seem to consider that some candidates might consider a signed and sealed Baker Mayfield as an asset to their system, as opposed to a yet-to-be-determined rookie.
August 30th, 2026 at 8:09 pm
Mobucs. “some candidates might consider a signed and sealed Baker Mayfield as an asset to their system, as opposed to a-yet-to-be- determined rookie.”
If the coach retires next year, and we’re looking for a coach? Of course we will have a better chance at a decent coach if we have Mayfield under contract. Anyone who says different is a certain level of nuts.
August 31st, 2026 at 1:38 am
Paratrooper Buc Says:
August 30th, 2026 at 2:44 pm
@Rod
Yeah the guaranteed money and years are what I oppose. Give him max 50-53 million a year for say 3 years with options for year 4-5 or what ever length. Baker even in his good years needs good players to win, if too much money is tied up to just him then no way he can play well so you are wasting money. Baker at the right price AND the right length has been the question.
————
If the money isn’t guaranteed, the years mean nothing, so I don’t really care if they give him a 10-year $550-million deal. Also, if the Bucs were able to coax a long term deal with minimal guarantees, then you’d want to make it as long as possible since the cap constantly goes up, and in a few years, a QB making $55M a year, will be like a QB making $30M a year is right now. And if Baker sucked, the money isn’t guaranteed so you’d just cut him.
At the same time, Baker isn’t a moron (his dumb Baker Boi fans are, but he is not). Baker isn’t going to take any deal like that – and he shouldn’t.
So you got, what I think, is a very fair standoff going on this season. If Baker performs, the Bucs will make him a top paid player in the NFL. If he plays like he did last year, then he’ll be gone, and so will Bowles and the rest of the coaching staff.
August 31st, 2026 at 6:44 am
Bee. Daniels is a threat to Baker so Baker will play injured and it will be the same excuse he has gotten his whole career. But now it’s NFC championship or bust it’s year 4 no more excuses for Baker or Bowles.
August 31st, 2026 at 7:25 am
I can understand being cautious signing a high deal with Baker why pay a player 60 mil a year and at best your barely a 7 or 8 win team.
August 31st, 2026 at 11:35 am
Letsbuccingo- you are a miserable liar. 3 years 27 wins is 9 wins a year. Last year was an outlier with our top 4 offensive lineman, our top 3 receivers, and our top RB out for huge hunks of our season.
Surely you remember the games our defense choked like dogs in 2023. The Texans Baker gave us a 4 point lead with under a minute to go? Gagged up the Atlanta game letting Cousins throw for 500 yards+ in 2024 after Baker gave us the huge lead. How about the 14 point lead in the 4th quarter against the same Falcons in 2025?
You don’t know your a$$ from a hole in the ground, Letsbuccingo- And lying like a dirty dog can’t cover up that fact.