The Bucs have a handful of contract negotiations deal with coming up rapidly. At the top of the totem pole is the looming extension of quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has given deadline of the start of training camp. Next is the contract situation with defensive tackle Vita Vea as he did not participate at mini-camp in the hopes that he can get an extension on the last year of his deal, or at least a pay raise.

Also looming potentially are a contract extension for Bucs kicker Chase McLaughlin and outside linebacker Yaya Diaby. Each of the four players mentioned are integral parts to the success for various reasons. Mayfield plays the most important position and is a leader while Vea has been a cornerstone of this team as a dominant player and Super Bowl winner.

Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

McLaughlin has been so important in the kicking game for Tampa Bay, having some clutch moments and booming field goals from 50 yards and more. Diaby was the Bucs best edge rusher last season with seven sacks. He’s been relatively consistent, plays with a high motor and also puts a lot of dedication into making tackles for loss, whether that’s a pass play or a run.

Yaya Diaby Hoping Bucs Get A Deal Done With Baker Mayfield First

He has also proven time and time again that he’s a team-first players that only wants the Bucs to win first before any of his own accomplishments. There’s no better example of that than what he said while appearing on the Pewter Report Podcast.

Diaby was asked about if there’s any update about a potential new contract for himself in discussions with the Bucs front office. After a quick answer about himself, he chose to voice his priorities about making sure a deal is inked for Mayfield to ensure he’ll be the Bucs’ quarterback for quite a while.

Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby and Texans QB C.J. Stroud – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

“No update, but for me I just want them to get Baker’s deal done,” Diaby said. “If you guys (have) been watching the Quarterback series, that man’s a dog. He deserves every penny that he gets. Time is ticking. I know those guys are on vacation right now, but they got to get my dog Baker right and make everybody happy going into training camp (on) Wednesday.”

Diaby Can Lead By Example, But Looks To Be More Vocal This Season

The selflessness displayed there by the Bucs’ outside linebacker is why many expect Diaby to be the player that steps more into a leadership role with veterans like Lavonte David departing. He’s said he’s more of a lead by example kind of person, but he’s working on the vocal part of it. Statements like making sure Mayfield gets what’s right to him first shows he’s ready for the role.

“I’m more of a lead by example, but at the same time I can also be vocal,” Diaby said. “For me, these past couple of years, having a guy like Lavonte, you just let Lavonte lead. Him being our OG, you just let him lead and just watch him. This year is a year for me to take that next step and be more vocal and let the guys know it’s go time.

Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Photo by: USA Today

“We’re really this close from being a very good defense. Just seeing our defensive grade from last season, I think it was 22nd or 25th. That’s just not it. That doesn’t make me happy and I know it doesn’t make the guys on the defense happy just seeing something like that. So we got to get it, we got to get after it.”

Check out Pewter Report’s entire interview with Diaby on the Pewter Report Podcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel.