Cousins was the better player though overall, and that's why he got paid more.
agreed
It is the way of the NFL, looking in the past to pay for (and assess) future performance.
Dicey for an older QB right off an Achilles injury BUT all it takes is one and in this case there we a couple, reportedly.
Told you guys he was worth every penny. He should be getting $45M-$50M/yr.
The whole thread is a little absurd. Tons of hand-wringing over nothing. And of course TONS of trolling.
The Bucs were never going to "let him test the market" because they KNOW the market and the team was never going to truly over pay him to the exclusion of other players because, again, they know the market AND the very nature of his signing was to bring the team back, so much so he was tied to the OC selection.
Besides, the actual negotiating ranges in NFL contracts are very small because there is very limited number of players and even less agents, so everyone knows whose getting what and when and NO ONE has an interest in a contract that is an OBVIOUS outlier because that puts everyone under the microscope. In this thread there was a report of "negotiations" at $25m from the team against $45 from Mayfield and is still settled right where he is making good money (compared to the market) but not great and not bankrupting the team.
Disagree that Cousins is/was the better player, then/now. It can be argued that ATL paid Cousins for the production of better surrounding cast in Minnesota (ie, Sam Darnold’s emergence).
It’s pretty clear the Bucs got the better QB & contract, for the OC and the surrounding talent.
The surrounding cast also allowed the OC/assistant coaches (that o-line coach, especially)… to maximize production.
It’s definitely fun to watch - both our incredible offense and ATL’s seeming developing implosion - for Buccaneers fans!
Dallas is a bit more concerning after their dismantling of a Carolina team against which we struggled, but I seem to feel that way every Wednesday now.
Disagree that Cousins is/was the better player, then/now.
The Vikings got better and he got benched in ATL so you're probably right
Disagree that Cousins is/was the better player, then/now.
The Vikings got better and he got benched in ATL so you're probably right
statistically Cousins was exactly the same player he was last season
only last year he went out with an injury, this year he did not (kinder: perhaps came in still recovering from knee surgery).Disagree that Cousins is/was the better player, then/now.
The Vikings got better and he got benched in ATL so you're probably right
statistically Cousins was exactly the same player he was last season
I think Mayfield is out playing many other QBs that were paid recently or will be paid very soon. So at this point that is good but if he can finish strong the next two games it would be a cap stone to a solid year for him.
I don’t think it can be said of Baker Mayfield that he regressed, as many here predicted. In fact, he’s having (another) career season, under another OC. We have a chance as long as he’s on the field.I think Mayfield is out playing many other QBs that were paid recently or will be paid very soon. So at this point that is good but if he can finish strong the next two games it would be a cap stone to a solid year for him.
Congratulations to Baker Mayfield on leading his team to yet another playoff berth. And for putting together another career statistical season, with 4,500 yds, 41 passing TDs/3 rushing TDs, and a whopping 106.8 Passer Rating, in a bid for the most efficient statistical season for a starting QB in TB history. All while having to learn his 7th new system. Kudos to both Baker and Coen on a job well done.
Per Greg Auman on X before the game:
“An update on Baker Mayfield's contract incentives, which include $500k each if he finishes in the NFL top 10 or NFC top five in five key passing stats. He's on pace to get all five right now for $2.5 million in bonuses:
passer rating: 3rd NFL, 2nd NFC
TD passes: t-2nd NFL, 1st NFC
pass yards: 3rd NFL, 2nd NFC
comp %: 2nd NFL, 1st NFC
yards/att: 7th NFL, 6th NFC
Looks like Baker hit his incentives too.
Per Greg Auman on X before the game:
“An update on Baker Mayfield's contract incentives, which include $500k each if he finishes in the NFL top 10 or NFC top five in five key passing stats. He's on pace to get all five right now for $2.5 million in bonuses:
passer rating: 3rd NFL, 2nd NFC
TD passes: t-2nd NFL, 1st NFC
pass yards: 3rd NFL, 2nd NFC
comp %: 2nd NFL, 1st NFC
yards/att: 7th NFL, 6th NFC
Looks like Baker hit his incentives too.
good for him. After the season that he’s had this year, he deserves every single penny.
Also, I may have accidentally hit the thumbs down icon. I swear I hit the thumbs up icon, but my phone did me dirty. My bad.
I agree, Mayfield absolutely deserves every penny, he did NOT regress as many here thought, he actually improved on those numbers and he finished in some rare air.Per Greg Auman on X before the game:
“An update on Baker Mayfield's contract incentives, which include $500k each if he finishes in the NFL top 10 or NFC top five in five key passing stats. He's on pace to get all five right now for $2.5 million in bonuses:
passer rating: 3rd NFL, 2nd NFC
TD passes: t-2nd NFL, 1st NFC
pass yards: 3rd NFL, 2nd NFC
comp %: 2nd NFL, 1st NFC
yards/att: 7th NFL, 6th NFC
Looks like Baker hit his incentives too.
good for him. After the season that he’s had this year, he deserves every single penny.
Also, I may have accidentally hit the thumbs down icon. I swear I hit the thumbs up icon, but my phone did me dirty. My bad.
As for the thumbs up/down, no big deal (besides, you can change the icon anytime).