While I disagree with the premature extension and was wrong that management was aligned with my approach, i have to hand it to Licht in being master of contract negotiations.
Most were worried about the length given Baker's style of play and age so this contract would look to align nicely to mitigate that concern.
Now of course, we are all hoping he has a bounce back year. Last thing we would want is what the Cardinals and Dolphins endured with their own premature extensions in Murray and Tua
Pumped we will be a 9-8 football squad the next three seasons. I guess that beats those seasons of being 5-11, 4-12, and 3-13 clubs.
Nothing more thrilling in pro sports than being fake contenders.
9-8 would have been nice last year.
I'll take 9-8 this year! That's a division champ cuz
“We felt like after giving it a lot of thought, that having the third year [of Mayfield’s contract extension] would be beneficial for us, too, because I don’t want to frick’n be sitting here next year trying to redo another deal,” Licht said. “So it worked out for all parties.”
That's more like what I thought the guaranteed money would be. It's basically a two year commitment on top of this year. After that they can move on without too much damage. it's a lot, but they either had to do it or let Baker walk. It would only be worse if they waited until next year so glad they got it done now. They're stuck with Baker for the next three years, but compare that to Brock Purdy - they pretty much are locked into him for five years from the start of that deal. Agree it's a win-win.$110M in new guaranteed money.
So, again, essentially the same thing he was offered last month.
It may or may not work out, but that's the NFL. It's always a roll of the dice. Why not roll it with Baker? The main issue is whether he can tone it down with the hero act and not take on flying linebackers. If he has to play hero ball for us to win then that means the team isn't good enough and that will come to roost eventually.
PFT summary
"Under his prior contract, Mayfield was due to make $27 million in 2026. With the new money, that’s $192 million over four years, for a true average of $48 million annually."
the reported details
1. 2026 90-man offseason roster bonus: $10 million (earned on third day after signing).
2. 2026 base salary: $10 million, fully guaranteed.
3. 2027 90-man roster bonus: $48.65 million, fully guaranteed (earned on fifth day of 2027 league year).
4. 2027 base salary: $1.35 million, fully guaranteed.
5. 2028 base salary: $50 million, guaranteed for injury at signing. Of that amount, $20 million becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2027 league year. The other $30 million becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2028 league year.
6. 2029 90-man roster bonus: $2.5 million (earned on fifth day of 2029 league year).
7. 2029 base salary: $52.5 million.
I'm trying to understand what he got that changed his mind. It's the slight bump in annual salary? Because a voidable third year doesn't seem to really do much for him...
I think he got an extra $10M guaranteed, but that's about it. It's pretty much the same deal with two extra guaranteed years after 2026, from what I can tell.
I'm not really sure this was worth his unprofessional, public outburst in camp.
I'm trying to understand what he got that changed his mind. It's the slight bump in annual salary? Because a voidable third year doesn't seem to really do much for him...
Baker was vocal about that extra year so he has more choice. Players like to have choices.
The third year on the extension won't be his choice, it will be the team's choice.
“We felt like after giving it a lot of thought, that having the third year [of Mayfield’s contract extension] would be beneficial for us, too, because I don’t want to frick’n be sitting here next year trying to redo another deal,” Licht said. “So it worked out for all parties.
Actually it is a choice for both sides which is why both ironed it out.
Like I said before offering that contract without that additional year was the insult. Glad Licht manned up and realized his mistake.
That's more like what I thought the guaranteed money would be. It's basically a two year commitment on top of this year. After that they can move on without too much damage.
Yep.
Good deal for both parties.
Actually it is a choice for both sides which is why both ironed it out.
No, it’s not. If the Buccaneers don’t want Mayfield on the team in 2029, he won’t be.
Like I said before offering that contract without that additional year was the insult. Glad Licht manned up and realized his mistake.
lol okay
Actually it is a choice for both sides which is why both ironed it out.
No, it’s not. If the Buccaneers don’t want Mayfield on the team in 2029, he won’t be.
Which is why I still don't understand why he changed his mind? It had to be the slight bump in pay I guess
because it offered the Mayfield camp a claim of victory, top contract etc. and the slight bump.
The only real difference here between the Mayfield negotiation and, say, the Wirfs negotiation, is that Mayfield spoke out BEFORE the negotiation ended. He spoke out right about the time both sides knew where the other was and so all they had to do was come together, like they eventually did.
FWIW, the Baker Mayfield $50 million thread is something like 70 pages. The past $40 million thread was something similar, both basically always going to work out . . like nearly every deal does when the team and player want the deal and its just $.
Actually it is a choice for both sides which is why both ironed it out.
No, it’s not. If the Buccaneers don’t want Mayfield on the team in 2029, he won’t be.
Which is why I still don't understand why he changed his mind? It had to be the slight bump in pay I guess
Agreed.
It makes his little outburst in camp look that much more foolish.
