The comments made by Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield recently have stirred the pot when it comes to the discussion about his next contract. Set to become a free agent after the 2026 season, plenty can happen between now and then as both sides work toward a new deal.

General manager Jason Licht will be a key figure in seeing that come to fruition, and he appeared on The JP Peterson Show on Thursday to address the entire situation.

Jason Licht: “No One Wants To See Baker Mayfield Go Anywhere”

When it comes to the quarterback position, the conversation surrounding dollar signs obviously draws a lot of attention. Being the most important factor in wins and losses, there is no understating the importance of having the right guy under center leading the team.

Adding to that, what a general manager has to say about his quarterback only drives that point home. To kick off his show, JP Peterson jumped right in and asked Jason Licht about his overall thoughts about the contract negotiation with Mayfield so far.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: IMAGN Images

“First of all, we love Baker,” Licht said. “Nobody wants to see Baker go anywhere else. We’ve had some discussions and we’ll continue to have internal discussions and try to bring this to closure, one way or another. No one wants to see Baker go anywhere. No one is worried about how Baker’s mindset is going to be. I’ve had conversations with him about that and he’s all about wanting to win. He’s in a good place.”

While general managers rarely reveal much about ongoing contract discussions, it is notable that Licht has consistently gone out of his way to emphasize Mayfield’s value to the organization, dating back to the NFL Scouting Combine. That public stance suggests the two sides remain aligned on the bigger picture even if they have not agreed on the financial details yet. To that end, it has been an ongoing dialogue between Mayfield’s camp and the front office over the past several months.

“Our thoughts on Baker haven’t changed,” Licht said in late February. “Baker’s been with us three years. We’ve seen the competitor he is, he’s got a lot of arm talent, he’s a leader, all these things. Our plans with Baker haven’t changed. At some point – I don’t have a timetable – I’m sure we’ll be having those discussions.”

Jason Licht Reacts To Baker Mayfield’s Contract Comments

As those contract discussions continue, it is clear how highly the team values Baker Mayfield and views him as its long-term answer at quarterback. While neither side wants it to come down to the wire, using the franchise tag on Mayfield remains an option.

Bucs assistant GM Mike Greenberg and GM Jason Licht – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“All teams can use the franchise tag on a player,” Jason Licht said. “Unless they have it written in their contract. That’s furthest from our mind right now.”

While Licht downplayed that possibility, the franchise tag gives Tampa Bay additional leverage and protection should negotiations drag into next offseason. What remains on Licht and the team’s mind right now is getting a deal done to lock up the franchise quarterback, with the price point expected to come in around $50 million per season. Always one to openly express his thoughts, the most eyebrow raising comment Mayfield made was those negotiations were “not anywhere close” to what he imagined.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: IMAGN Images

Licht went on to react to those remarks.

“I respect Baker,” Licht said. “He’s free to say whatever he wants to say. That’s the way he’s wired, and I have nothing but love for Baker. I’ll keep all that stuff internal… any discussions that we have. Our feelings about Baker have not changed.”

While there is still work to be done before a deal gets across the finish line, Jason Licht’s comments reinforced what the organization has consistently maintained throughout the offseason: Baker Mayfield remains the quarterback the Bucs want leading their franchise for years to come.

To watch Licht’s full interview with JP Peterson, click the video below.