Another Reason To Pay Baker Mayfield?
August 31st, 2026
Yeah, it’s fair to question the Buccaneers’ ability to scout quarterbacks.
And perhaps that means the Bucs should be leaning toward paying Baker Mayfield what he wants.
Joe looks at the drafting and non-development of Kyle Trask, the selection of Teddy Bridgewater as a backup for a Super Bowl hopeful team and this year’s swing and miss on Jake Browning, and wonders if the Bucs can be trusted in the 2027 draft when it comes to a quarterback.
Of course, the Bucs don’t want to be quarterback shopping next spring because they want Mayfield to sign an extension through the 2028 season. Mayfield balked publicly at the Bucs’ offer last month. He can become a free agent in March.
Joe realizes the Bucs have the franchise tag option on Mayfield, but that’s not foolproof. No team wants to use a tag on a player who wants out, especially a quarterback, and Mayfield could land in that boat. The Bucs could tag and trade Mayfield; that’s happened several times across the NFL. But then they’d be back to QB shopping.
Joe gives the Bucs great credit for signing Tom Brady when other teams passed on him. The Bucs also deserve credit for Mayfield.
That’s a six-year run of strong quarterback play. But Trask, Bridgewater and Browning make Joe take pause, and the five-year Jameis Winston saga remains a polarizing subject.
Nobody at JoeBucsFan.com headquarters is lobbying for the Bucs to overpay Mayfield. But Joe can’t say the Bucs have a quarterback-guru front office that is a strong bet to replace Mayfield successfully in the draft, if it came to that.
August 31st, 2026 at 7:38 am
We could inquire about getting Jack Thompson “The Throwin Samoan” to come out of retirement.
August 31st, 2026 at 7:42 am
Certainly hope the Bucs pay him and sign him before the start of the season. Give him another year. I mean what are the options.
August 31st, 2026 at 7:46 am
Most QB draftees, even top-ten ones, are busts. Kinda like kissing frogs until you find a prince
August 31st, 2026 at 7:50 am
We have enough reasons to sign him.
August 31st, 2026 at 7:51 am
Let’s be real. Baker Mayfield and Tom Brady both threw for 197 touchdowns in their first 8 years in the league. Compare Baker to Brady? Damn right I will.
Baker, in three playoff games here in Tampa has connected on 8 TD passes with 2 interceptions. I will tell you Brady threw 3 picks in a playoff game against Green Bay his first year here- he had a defense that overcame that. In fact, Baker has a better playoff passer rating than old Tommy Boy.
Baker has done many things Brady could never do and Brady had 20+years to do it. Perfect passer rating at Green Bay. Set record at Seattle for QB efficiency. And more. Way better runner than Brady could ever be.
Quarterbacks don’t grow on trees. Tampa Bay has had 2 QBs that were way, way above average. Brady the Goat, but Mayfield, the college QB of the century, Heismann trophy winner, and first pick in the draft, has a chance to reach higher ground. Why?
Because he is a QB savant. With a bone to pick. Can’t say I blame him.
August 31st, 2026 at 7:57 am
He’s under contract this season at a reasonable rate, let it be. Let’s see how the new GM, and HC want to do after Licht, and Bowles fall flat on their face this season.
August 31st, 2026 at 7:58 am
Give Baker a 4 year deal with an option for a fifth!
Problem solved!
August 31st, 2026 at 8:01 am
The new head coach should decide Bakers fate. For Baker to be resigned next season the new coach better be willing to bench him when he is injured and making the game worst.
It’s a shame we can’t trust our head coach. Bring back Bruce!
August 31st, 2026 at 8:07 am
“Of course, the Bucs don’t want to be quarterback shopping next spring because they want Mayfield to sign an extension through the 2028 season.”
Why not? Whats wrong with drafting a younger, more talented QB on a cheaper deal? Let me guess, because he could be a bust like every other position? Giving Baker the money offers about as much guarantees as drafting a new QB. You don’t know how either player will perform but you’re paying significantly more for an older, injury prone player. Thats not a smart way to run a BUSINESS.
Look at all the holes on this roster, especially in the secondary and you want to pay one man $50+ million. Unreal….
Think, why did the Bucs offer Bake an offer he could refuse? Lol…that should tell you his value to the team. Also, he wants as much money as he can get and doesn’t care about leaving money on the table to improve the rest of the team. He doesn’t want to be a Buc.
But keeping lobbying Joe! Baker has a shiny new rookie breathing down his neck. We’ll see how long his leash is this season if the Bucs have their annual losing streak.
August 31st, 2026 at 8:10 am
The Bucs’ quarterback succession plan currently appears to be: Baker Mayfield → thoughts and prayers.
If your alternative to paying Baker is “trust us, we’re good at finding quarterbacks,” maybe don’t bring Trask, Teddy and Browning to the presentation. The strongest argument for extending Baker might simply be the folder labeled “Other Ideas We’ve Had.”
The franchise tag is Plan B. Finding another franchise quarterback is Plan Q.
August 31st, 2026 at 8:17 am
Stupid question – why would the team hesitate to offer Baker an extra year, or two, or twenty, as long as the extra years are team options? Wouldn’t that be a fair compromise? Obviously kidding about 20. The point is that if Baker wants validation, he basically gets it that way. No team would hesitate to exercise the option as long as he doesn’t regress or injur himself (or take a late night Uber ride). The only reason he would balk at that is if he implodes, and in that case he’d be signaling he actually considers that a possibility (thus corroborating a reason to not guarantee anything).
August 31st, 2026 at 8:21 am
The list of FA QBs after this season is weak and the only option is they tank the season and draft Manning, Moore, or Sayin out of college. If that happens we are looking at a new HC. JL is not going anywhere. Oh, and if Daniels has to start for any reason this season he is going to be a turn-over machine. Mark my words. They should have kept Browning and put Daniels on the practice squad to develop further.
August 31st, 2026 at 8:36 am
Agreed Joe. Bucs need to extend Baker now.
August 31st, 2026 at 8:37 am
Kenton: It’s an interesting comparison, but a lot of what made Brady the GOAT was his longevity. What are the odds that Baker lasts 24 seasons?
August 31st, 2026 at 8:38 am
23 seasons. Annoying phone.
August 31st, 2026 at 8:48 am
This mindless love affair for Mr Mid QB reminds me of the clown show that was the Jameis Winston lost half decade.
I remember being shouted down that he would bring us there to four titles, minimum if we just signed him to a long term deal after his rookie contract.
Remind me how that turned out again?????? I’ll wait…….
Baker = Winston
It’s no wonder the Joes are in love him. He’s America’s QB 2.0
August 31st, 2026 at 8:48 am
Joe mentioned the possibility of a tag and trade. Just so everyone is clear, the minute they tag him, the $30M that is spread out over the 3 years 2027-2029 hits the cap in 2027, even if they trade him. Let me see, can you make a bad situation worse?
August 31st, 2026 at 8:49 am
I went to my local Palm Reader and asked “what does my future look like”
She said: “I see you crying red and pewter colored tears – I see many injured men walking with their heads down, very sad and wearing funny hats”
I don’t know what this means but maybe someone here can help me to interpret that vision?
August 31st, 2026 at 8:53 am
Jeagan1999 Says:
August 31st, 2026 at 7:58 am
Give Baker a 4 year deal with an option for a fifth!
Problem solved!
________________________
So basically the same exact deal that ended up hurting Vea’s back?
August 31st, 2026 at 8:54 am
Seems like BA’s overall philosophy was ‘No risk-it, no biscuit’. And most everyJBFer applauds that. Yet when it comes to QBs, Joe ‘wonders if the Bucs can be trusted in the 2027 draft when it comes to a quarterback’.
Would you say the same about drafting Rueben Bain this past year after 14 NFL teams passed on him? Or say the same about drafting Tristin Wirfs in 2020 after 12 other teams passed on him? Point is: It’ll always be a gamble, BUT … ‘No risk-it, no biscuit’.
Statistically there seem to be much better odds that a 1st Round QB will succeed than an Undrafted rookie QB. Makes sense to me because the odds that 31 other teams would by-pass a talented QB for 7 Rnds probably aren’t very good. Next year is supposed to be a quality QB draft. Let’s at least keep our options open.
August 31st, 2026 at 8:59 am
wins are the only reason why you should pay baker…and he hasnt won enough….
GO BUCS!!!!
August 31st, 2026 at 9:01 am
Here is what is going on with the QB position: If Mayfield gets hurt, the Bucs have leverage on a deal and will put Daniels in to tank the season and get a high draft pick on which they would very likely have a chance at a top rookie QB.
August 31st, 2026 at 9:01 am
I don’t think the Glazers want to set aside the necessary cash for a long term deal for a franchise QB along with all the other player extensions coming due. That’s a big number and there’s a lot of Glazer hands in the Bucs cookie jar. Bucs also have some stadium upgrades coming and they’ll likely have to chip in some funds for that. I think that’s why they insist on having 2-3 yr extensions for Baker.
August 31st, 2026 at 9:01 am
Oh, and they would also have leverage to fire Coach “3rd and 28!”.
August 31st, 2026 at 9:08 am
Kenton … I don’t think that any of us (even Rod) would deny that Baker can do a lot of good things. We’ve all seen him pull the rabbit out of the hat multiple times.
Unfortunately, we’ve also seen the OTHER side of Baker, the INCONSISTENT side. Everyone applauded when Baker went 29-of-33 (87.9%) for 379 yds, 2 TDs & 0 INTs to beat Seattle 38-35. But then we heard nothing but excuses when Baker went 9-of-19 (47.4%) for 41 yds, 1 TD & 2 INTs against the Rams to lose 34-7. Or when he went 14-of-30 (46.7%) for 122 yds, 1 TD & 1 INT to lose to New Orleans 24-20. That’s the same Baker. And THAT IMO is why the Bucs hierarchy is hesitant to give Baker a long-term deal worth mega-millions.
August 31st, 2026 at 9:10 am
Jack Burton Mercer Says: “Here is what is going on with the QB position: If Mayfield gets hurt, the Bucs have leverage on a deal and will put Daniels in to tank the season and get a high draft pick on which they would very likely have a chance at a top rookie QB.”
I will say it again, why wait? The Bucs have screamed from the rooftop that they do not think Baker is their long term answer. So their choice are:
(A) Baker plays great and they have to sign a QB they clearly don’t want for more money than they want to spend, or
(B) Baker’s play says they don’t want him and he either walks for nothing or they tag and trade, taking a $30M hit to the cap next year.
Trade him now, let the team win 3 or 4 games. get one of the top QBs in the draft and take your chances. This team is NEVER going to win a SB with TB as the HC. Run this season out and clean house with whatever you can get for Baker.
August 31st, 2026 at 9:11 am
One more time. The Bucs won’t or can’t pay an 80mil cap hit for 1 season of Baker in ’27. Secondly, no team will pay 2 1st rounders and the 50+mil salary to trade for Baker under exclusive rights FT. The only way the Bucs FT Baker is if they plan to resign him for a long term deal to spread the cap hit and the tag is just a temporary extension ploy for the negotiations. The mismanagement team in the front office has created their own no win situation and most likely lose Baker for no compensation. Otherwise, it’s long term for 55+ per year for 3 years minimum. Pick your poison. All they did was delay the inevitable. Long term planning is not a forte of this group led by JL.
August 31st, 2026 at 9:19 am
Trading Baker now is the only financially sound, team friendly option, as distasteful as that may sound. Losing the asset for no compensation is senseless. Depending on an unknown draft pick in the middle of the first round is also. Choosing to pay top dollar, long term franchise money to an aging, somewhat inconsistent QB you don’t really trust might be insane.
August 31st, 2026 at 9:19 am
I have $50 on Baker for MVP at 45 to one. When Baker bets on himself he wins! Love that they kept JD over Browning. JD is a mini me of Baker with better wheels. If Chandler Whitmer is a true quarterback guru, he’s definitely got something to work with.
Go Bucs!
August 31st, 2026 at 9:32 am
Don’t need to franchise Baker next season. All the QBs coming out, and teams like the raiders who already picked theirs, let Baker test the market. He’ll find out quick no team will give him a better deal than Licht. He’s dreaming if he thinks there’s a team out there who will offer him more. Frankly I think he’s an idiot not taking what was offered.
August 31st, 2026 at 9:32 am
If the Bucs are going to tank the season for a high draft pick to get a QB, they’ll need a new GM that’s capable of doing that.
Currently we have a guy that is only good at signing veteran QBs, especially when said QB is the GOAT.
Licht has to be fired before we draft a franchise QB in round one.
Allowing him to decide after the Winston nightmare would be insane.
August 31st, 2026 at 9:52 am
@BadBucs – keep preaching brother, I am right there with you.
If the Bucs think that using the tag as a ‘temporary extension ploy for the negotiations’ is a good idea, then Licht is dumber than I think. You hand Baker all the leverage. If it gets to that point, the Bucs have only four choices. Give Baker what he wants and spread even more money to later years after he is gone, tag him and eat the $80M cap hit (which I agree is completely untenable), tag and trade which will accelerate the $30M in dead money to 2027 or let him walk for nothing and eat the $30M cap hit in 2027. Which one of those sounds like a great option?
August 31st, 2026 at 9:55 am
Jayden Maiavia or Nico Iameleva could potentially be the future.
The $30M cap hit isn’t static, in fact we’ll be rolling a cap surplus into ’27 if Baker doesn’t take a new deal. So the team is likely positioning for both life with/without Mayfield and I’m still of the mind that simply eating the dead money to rip the band-aid off at QB.
Now, for all the “we have yet to draft a franchise QB” talk, you don’t stop swinging at pitches outright for not being able to hit the pitch you wanted to hit, y’keep swinging. Also, it’s not that difficult to upgrade from what will be a 32 yr old Baker Mayfield in terms of finding a player with a comparable floor in terms of performance and what would likely be BETTER athleticism/physical skills.
August 31st, 2026 at 10:04 am
Tell Baker to see Devin White for what happens when players think they are better than they are.
Was there potential? Sure.
At least Baker is still working.
He has talent, but also bad play and inconsistency.
If he cleans it up yes he is worth $50 million.
That’s easier said than done.
OL healthy will tell the true story and that is why the Bucs Brass wants to see it.
I’m 50-50 on a contract next year or a rookie QB 1st rounder.
August 31st, 2026 at 10:08 am
Picking a Quarterback in the draft is a crap shoot 🔫.unless it’s a number 1 or 2 pick. It’s not just the Bucs picking a Quarterback, it’s a NFL league problem. Very few drafted Quarterbacks
end up like a Bradshaw and there has been only 1 player in the NFL like Tom Brady. The Bucs wanted TB because there history of picking quarterbacks like Jameis Winston was a nightmare scenario.
Mayfield is no Tom Brady nor is he a Jamies Winston. Baker is a good quarterback and has a chance of taking the Bucs to the NFL promise land like a Terry Bradshaw and a strong defense that plays complimentary football.
August 31st, 2026 at 10:11 am
Remind me again how many teams have an adequate backup qb? How many teams have a better starter than the Bucs? Yeah, what I thought. Bowles and Licht did phenomenally well when they replaced Tom Brady. Now we’re going to nitpick on the backups? Joe must have to work really hard to be this negative.
August 31st, 2026 at 10:19 am
Journeyman QB who had a HOF WR and an elite slot receiver, Baker will play his way out of town and take his loser coach with him, we have the offensive infrastructure to support a rookie QB, a lot better than most teams picking early QBs, with the right coach and a year to get up to speed, the Bucs could have the best QB in our division in a couple years, undrafted QBs n journeyman QBs don’t stick around to become franchise QBs, those are drafted relatively high and have a good offensive environment to succeed
August 31st, 2026 at 10:22 am
@bee
“But keeping lobbying Joe! Baker has a shiny new rookie breathing down his neck.”
ya got to love the kiddies with Baker derangement syndrome. The delusional grasp on reality is always good for a Monday morning laugh 🙂
August 31st, 2026 at 10:23 am
We are all expecting Bain to turn into something special. Maybe not a double digit sack guy this season but in ‘27.
If he puts up good numbers this year and turns into what some think he will, I hope we all remember how so many on this site didn’t want to draft an edge rusher because it was a ‘waste of a 1st round pick historically”
Just because Licht hasn’t drafted a legit first round qb before doesn’t mean you stop trying to find the answer in the draft. That’s absurd.
August 31st, 2026 at 10:24 am
Mathew Stafford is 38 years old and on a one year $55m contract with the Rams. Baker wants to be paid more than he was offered to stay in Tampa. Maybe he likes the Los Angeles franchise and coaches better than the Bucs? The defense here has been not good and having a new offensive coordinator every year can’t be easy. Go back to Cleveland, has Baker ever had the same offensive coordinator 2 years in a row? Mike Evans left for a reason and it wasn’t just about money. If they want Baker to stay, unfortunately they will have to over pay because the other factors in Tampa are not enough for him to take less $.
August 31st, 2026 at 10:36 am
“If he puts up good numbers this year and turns into what some think he will, I hope we all remember how so many on this site didn’t want to draft an edge rusher because it was a ‘waste of a 1st round pick historically”
It’s a bad attempt at discrediting a likely/plausible solution to our questioning of the stability of the QB position relative to this team.
Great observation though, because “we’ve never drafted thee guy at x-position” in regards to Bain might end up getting stomped out like a cigarette by years’ end. Never know what’ you’ll hit on if you’re not trying and this team looks at its’ draft/scout department very favorably.
Just think, it was probably more difficult for scouts to lure Ayden Garnes as a UDFA to Tampa than it was just waiting there watching Rueben fall to us at 15th overall. All this talent coming out of the college ranks at QB, and how we’ve gone about “attacking” the draft in recent years, no doubt in my mind with the situation we’re in our front office is at least surveying the college QB landscape this season. Buc fans would do themselves a favor getting familiar with some of the draft eligible QBs in college right now. Part of me thinks drafting a QB could be in the cards even if Baker does return in ’27 because he’s not getting any younger/better for that matter.
August 31st, 2026 at 10:43 am
How about we play a little game on ‘just draft a QB and all the Bucs troubles are over’.
The 2018 draft that Baker was a part of was by any objective measure a good one. In those eight years the draft class won 3 MVPs. Considering there are QBs in the league from over 20 years of draft classes, one class having 3 MVPs in eight years is a gross overrepresentation.
And they have 1 SB. Now the QB for that SB win did not have a stellar season, but did have a great defense. But again, with over 20 draft classes still playing, they have one.
So some fans don’t want Baker, OK one down.
Darnold has done nothing great except be the beneficiary of the best defense in the NFL. They allowed 7 fewer points per game than the Bucs in a much better division. If the Bucs D gives up 7 fewer points per game, they win what, 12 games at least. Sorry but Darnold does not win a SB with the Bucs. Two down.
Josh Allen, MVP winner. No SB wins and NO SB appearances. Better than Baker, sure. Allen does not win a SB with the Bucs that Baker played on. Three down.
Josh Rosen. Four Down.
Lamar Jackson, 2 MVPs. No SB wins and NO SB appearances. Better than Baker, sure. Jackson does not win a SB with the Bucs that Baker played on. Five down.
Maybe with a better GM and better HC, a new rookie QB might have a better outcome. But given the talent Baker has had around (not bad but not SB quality) him and the HC he has had, no rookie QB is going to get you any better results in the foreseeable future. Moreover, tell me what QB you could swap out for Baker over the past three years and win a SB???? More wins, sure. More playoff wins, maybe. A SB, not a chance.
August 31st, 2026 at 10:48 am
Let’s ask Melvin Jr, he’ll know what to do. I nominate HIM for director of Buccaneers Football Operations!