Here's Josh Q now saying $50 million:

What Would A Possible Extension Look Like?

The $40 million salary this year works as the basement floor for a potential extension. 

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A  . . . comp  . .  would be Kirk Cousins’ 2022 deal with the Minnesota Vikings. Cousins was coming off of a two-year stretch where he completed 67% of his passes for 8,486 yards and 68 touchdowns to just 20 interceptions while averaging 7.9 yards per attempt. He also had 54 big time throws to 36 turnover-worthy plays per Pro Football Focus.

Mayfield’s production since 2024 is very close to those marks. He’s completed 68% of his passes for 8,378 yards and 69 touchdowns to 27 interceptions while averaging 7.4 yards per attempt. He’s also thrown 50 big time throws to 53 turnover-worthy plays (turnover-worthy plays include fumbles).

Mayfield has a few other factors helping to set him above Cousins in terms of valuation. Mayfield is 2.5 years younger than Cousins was at the time of his 2022 extension and he is a bigger rushing threat as evidenced by his 509 extra rushing yards and 23 additional explosive runs. Those factors should more than offset the discrepancy in turnover metrics.

Cousins’ extension, a one-year, $35 million deal had an APY that 16.81% of the salary cap that year. The equivalent in 2026 would be roughly $50.5 million. And that’s where I think Mayfield’s current value lies.

If the draft unfolds as I envision, I’ll be thrilled. This strategy allows the Bucs to address key positions of need while adding much-needed athleticism to a defense that requires it. While Bowles has mentioned getting bigger, size alone without athleticism doesn’t help. We added a big DT/DE in free agency, and this draft can provide us with size from our 2nd second-round pick while boosting athleticism across the board. It also addresses offensive line depth and potentially fills the void at X receiver.

Buccaneer Blitz’s 1st Mock Draft

1st Round: CJ Allen – LB, Georgia

If we can snag CJ Allen with the 23rd overall pick, the Bucs would be ecstatic. While I prefer the Ohio State linebacker, he’ll likely be gone by our turn. Allen is a “green dot” play-calling, downhill tackling machine from a winning program. He started as a true freshman against Ole Miss, recording nine tackles and a sack. By 2025, he was calling defensive plays for the Bulldogs.

The Bucs currently lack a true “Mike” middle linebacker on the roster. Allen has elite run-defense skills, excels at shedding blocks, and rarely misses tackles. While he may not be a sideline-to-sideline linebacker, he fits the role Bowles needs for his defense to function effectively.

2nd Round: Cashius Howell – Edge, Texas A&M

If Howell falls to us in the second round, the Bucs would be thrilled to draft him. He possesses the explosive first step I look for in elite players, along with a diverse set of pass-rush moves. His natural bend is characteristic of many top pass rushers.

While Howell may not contribute significantly during his rookie year, his explosiveness and bend should be useful at some point. Ideally, he’ll be able to contribute on passing downs by mid-season, showcasing the athleticism to outperform his smaller stature.

2nd Round: Darrell Jackson Jr. – DT, Florida State

If Coach Bowles genuinely wants to get bigger, this is his opportunity. At 6’5″ and 335 pounds, Jackson could eventually replace Vita Vea. Despite his size, he has a quick first step, and his 35-inch arms and 7-foot-2 wingspan can disrupt passing lanes.

While Jackson can play with a high pad level at times—a concern I had with Logan Hall—his size allows for a bit more leeway. He could immediately contribute in run defense and goal-line situations.

3rd Round: Kyle Louis – LB, Pittsburgh

Bear with me for a second. I’ve focused on run defense with my first and third picks, while aiming for pass defense with my second and fourth selections. Bowles’ scheme prioritizes dominating run defense on early downs, but that means the back six must be athletic and rangy, which is where Louis fits in.

Although I see Louis as a linebacker/safety tweener, placing such a player at safety in the NFL can set them up for failure. I’d like to see Bowles utilize Louis in situations where offenses come out in 11 personnel on first down. Instead of sticking with three DL and two OLBs, he could opt for four down linemen and three off-ball linebackers, with Louis as one of those LBs. His coverage skills and closing speed can enhance both early down pass coverage and run defense from the weakside LB role in a 4-3 (or as a slot LB). Historically, teams have succeeded against Bowles’ defense on first downs, and this personnel could help counter that trend.

Pittsburg Linebacker, Kyle Louis

4th Round: Isaiah World – OT, Oregon

World fits Bowles’ desire to add size, this time on the offensive line. Standing at 6’8″ and weighing around 315-320 pounds, he boasts elite arm length at 34.5 inches. He has the potential to be an exceptional pass-blocker in the NFL and has experience starting at both right and left tackle in college.

4th Round: Chris McClellan – DT, Missouri

The Bucs can never have enough big defensive linemen, and McClellan adds to that depth. At 6’4″ and 313 pounds, he racked up 133 tackles and 17 sacks during his college career. He would immediately help clog running lanes and has potential as a pass rusher.

6th Round: Jeff Caldwell – WR, Cincinnati

Caldwell stands at 6’5″ and weighs 216 pounds. He recorded 32 catches for 478 yards and six touchdowns in 2026. While those numbers aren’t eye-popping, they’re solid for a sixth-round pick. He brings the size of an X receiver, which is currently lacking on this team.

7th Round: Drew Allar – QB, Penn State

I like Allar’s potential. His size, athleticism, and arm strength are impressive. If he can put it all together, he could become a game-changer. That’s exactly what you should be looking for with a seventh-round pick.

well done 

Diaby wanted more action, less walk throughs 

Hall wanted his chance outside:

"You’re not going to get stuck into the monotony,” Hall said. “I’m really grateful, coming from the scheme I was in. Similarly, you get to do a lot of things that you might not be allowed to do on other teams. The blitzes and stunts and just being dialed in that way is really rewarding and really fun to play for.”

When the message gets stale on defense the defense collapses because NFL defense is everyone doing their role well. 

Hall was tired of being pushed inside.

Not sure Bowles at 60+ can overcome the "monotony" (and other things) that led to the collapse 

I'll start with 3:

1.) The run game returns: Bucky and Gainwell each have 1k+ total yards from scrimmage and fans celebrate Licht for making an amazing signing in Gainwell.

2.) Winfield returns to form and has an all-pro season after some struggles once he got paid. 

3.) McMillan, Godwin, and Egbuka all have 700+ yards receiving and stay healthy all season. Egbuka leads the Bucs with 1100 yards. McMillan leads in TDs with 9. Godwin leads in receptions with 85. 

Bucs +140

Saints +290

Panthers +350

Falcons +425

Hard Rock 

Bucs +160

Falcons +250

Saints +400

Panthers + 450

Even after Evans bolted!

And the Panthers arguably making the biggest FA moves

Hey Jason Licht… Can you give us something to be excited about? Can you throw us a bone for once? At least throw your players a bone. It’s been far too long since we’ve brought in any substantial superstar talent. Honestly, when was the last time we signed someone impactful—was it Antonio Brown?

Licht’s drafts alone aren’t building a superstar roster. We’re not asking for a roster of superstars; just give us one this offseason. Tristan Wirfs was drafted back in 2020—feels like an eternity ago.

When you haven’t drafted a superstar in six years, you better supplement your roster with a few free agent stars. Where else is your money going? Oh right, overpaying average players on your own roster. Throwing money at a player who doesn’t end up meeting expectations is bad money; whether they’re someone you’re trying to retain or a new acquisition. I don’t care if it’s our own player’s 2nd contract or a player from another team’s 2nd contract…  Those are misses, plain and simple.

We won’t draft a player with the 15th pick this year who will outperform Maxx Crosby over the next three seasons. We’ve seen some of our own first-round picks miss the mark in the last five years (looking at you, JTS, Logan Hall, and the jury is still out on Graham Barton). Let’s trade this year’s picks and see what another team can do with them.

I’d take the risk of trading two picks (a first and a second or third) for Maxx Crosby over making those two selections any day. I’d even double down on that bet. The bigger gamble may truly be keeping and drafting those picks instead of securing a known talent like Crosby.

DL: Vea, Kancey, Robinson, Roberts, Simmons, Jones

ILB: Anzalone, Dennis, Jackson

OLB: Diaby, Muhammad, Nelson, Walker, Kamara

CB: Morrison, McCollum, Hayes

NCB: Parrish, Roberts

S: Winfield Jr, Smith, Killebrew, Wisdom, Banks

Licht definitely needs to secure another starting caliber ILB, edge rusher to have come off the bench as the third guy, and boundary CB.  Do that and the Bucs would be ready for the draft. 

Licht is channeling his inner Patriots way aka Belichick to upgrade special teams this off season.