Again, Jason Licht and I are not saying we don’t want Baker. We are just telling you we are waiting to sign him to another contract until the 2026 season plays out
Maybe you are right but I think people are seriously not considering that this Bucs team is making a lot of decisions lately based on the cap. A first round rookie QB gives this team a lot of wiggle room to add more talent for a window to compete. Signing Baker to a 5 year deal may not be what this team wants to be able to stack more talent and are looking at a 3 year deal again. It is possible Baker and his agent do not want to do another 3 year deal. If you think about it maybe Licht wants to make a deal happen this year but for 3 years like everyone else has said.
To be honest the Glazers always have had the GMs and bean counters in the Bucs FO structure contracts with roster bonuses to make up for the lack of upfront signing bonuses being pro rated over longer contracts so I think that cash argument is overblown lately by PR staff and others.
Bottom line is that a QB on a first round rookie contract allows you to buy some serious talent on a cheap rookie deal. In the absence of a superior coaching staff you need talent compete and the Bucs look like they are stuck in the middle right now like the 2000s. Addition of Gruden helped as a coach but the Bucs also added talent to a squad that was too hyper focused on the draft or signing some splash free agents.
This is what bother me with what Licht has done as you can definitely sign a guard that is better than Bredeson on the cheap before the draft or even after the cuts this year. Or, a LB that can compete with the current crew or a boundary CB that can be at least a 3 or 4 on the depth chart. The history of this team is full of late additions to improve the overall talent of this roster.
I just think it is pointless to believe that Mayfield is going to magically become this consistent QB that gives you top five play like we saw in 2024. To me Baker is closer to a fringe or top 15 QB which is good enough to win with but not enough to carry a team. This is why I wouldn't dismiss this team using a first round pick on a QB again.