Looks like a 3 year $55 mil extension for Baker is more likely each day.
Looks like a 3 year $55 mil extension for Baker is more likely each day.
For all we know, the Bucs and Mayfield were waiting for that deal to set the market.
The Bucs can't spend cap money they don't have. Right now the Bucs have about 8.6 million in cap space for the 2026 season. To get there the Bucs had to negotiate a number of contracts.
In the offseason Wirfs restructured, Godwin restructured last offseason, Winfield restructured last offseason, Vita Vea restructured this off season, Bredeson restructured this offseason, Goedeke restructured this off season, Anthony Nelson restructured this offseason, McCollum restructured this off season, Otton restructured this offseason, and Sean Tucker just signed a new contract this offseason.
There are not too many players left to restructure and most of them are earning less than 2 million a season.
Right now the Bucs have 42 million in cap space for the 2027 season. But that cap space includes only 11 million for Mayfield and 2.5 million for Veta Vea. Give Mayfield a 50 million a year contract and you just wiped out all of the 2027 cap space and still need to sign Vea.
Right now the Bucs have 42 million in cap space for the 2027 season. But that cap space includes only 11 million for Mayfield and 2.5 million for Veta Vea. Give Mayfield a 50 million a year contract and you just wiped out all of the 2027 cap space and still need to sign Vea.
First off, we don't need to sign Vea.
This should be his last season with us. Let him get one last pay day somewhere else.
We should also see if we can get anything for Godwin prior to the trade deadline. If not, make him a Post-June cut in the offseason. He shouldn't be on the roster next year no matter what.
I'd also look to shop Winfield.
With the current state of this roster, and the fact that we aren't contenders, there's numerous ways to free up cash and cap to extend Baker.
The Bucs salary cap was reduced by 13 million for Evans because of prorated signing bonus even though he is playing for the 49's.Right now the Bucs have 42 million in cap space for the 2027 season. But that cap space includes only 11 million for Mayfield and 2.5 million for Veta Vea. Give Mayfield a 50 million a year contract and you just wiped out all of the 2027 cap space and still need to sign Vea.
First off, we don't need to sign Vea.
This should be his last season with us. Let him get one last pay day somewhere else.
We should also see if we can get anything for Godwin prior to the trade deadline. If not, make him a Post-June cut in the offseason. He shouldn't be on the roster next year no matter what.
I'd also look to shop Winfield.
With the current state of this roster, and the fact that we aren't contenders, there's numerous ways to free up cash and cap to extend Baker.
If the Bucs trade Winfield the dead cap for the prorated signing bonus and restructure is 8million for 2026 and 2027 and 4 million for 2028.
If the Bucs trade Godwin the dead cap for the Bucs in 2026 is 11.5 million, 8.5 million in 2027 and 4.15 million in 2028 and 2029.
Any team that trades for Godwin or Winfield only pays the base salary. The dead cap for signing bonus and restructured contracts remain with the Bucs.
The Bucs salary cap was reduced by 13 million for Evans because of prorated signing bonus even though he is playing for the 49's.Right now the Bucs have 42 million in cap space for the 2027 season. But that cap space includes only 11 million for Mayfield and 2.5 million for Veta Vea. Give Mayfield a 50 million a year contract and you just wiped out all of the 2027 cap space and still need to sign Vea.
First off, we don't need to sign Vea.
This should be his last season with us. Let him get one last pay day somewhere else.
We should also see if we can get anything for Godwin prior to the trade deadline. If not, make him a Post-June cut in the offseason. He shouldn't be on the roster next year no matter what.
I'd also look to shop Winfield.
With the current state of this roster, and the fact that we aren't contenders, there's numerous ways to free up cash and cap to extend Baker.
If the Bucs trade Winfield the dead cap for the prorated signing bonus and restructure is 8million for 2026 and 2027 and 4 million for 2028.
If the Bucs trade Godwin the dead cap for the Bucs in 2026 is 11.5 million, 8.5 million in 2027 and 4.15 million in 2028 and 2029.
Any team that trades for Godwin or Winfield only pays the base salary. The dead cap for signing bonus and restructured contracts remain with the Bucs.
Versus what their 2027 cap hit would be?
Again, Queipo broke this all down in a recent article.
yeah but how was he over the last 11 games?
"Underrated: Bucs star QB Baker Mayfield has been one of the NFL’s most productive QBs since joining Tampa Bay in 2023. Since joining the Buccaneers: • 2nd in passing TDs (95) • 3rd in passing yards (12,237) Baker is expected to sign a 4-year, ~$214.4M contract extension this offseason."
^^^^^
Was Mayfield's poor play the last 7 games due to limitations because of injuries or because of mental errors?
^^^^^
Was Mayfield's poor play the last 7 games due to limitations because of injuries or because of mental errors?
Injuries. Mayfield understands this game down cold. Lavonte David on his career exit interview said, and I quote, "Baker had a lot of injuries that you didn't expect a quarterback to play through. He had the oblique injury, he had the shoulder injury, he had a lot of things -- like ankle injury, knee injury -- he had a lot of stuff he was going through. The season's over now, I can talk about it, but he had a lot of stuff that he was going through and he was really trying to push and really trying to be the player that we needed him to be. To be honest, we was doing his thing for the most part."
^^^^^
Was Mayfield's poor play the last 7 games due to limitations because of injuries or because of mental errors?
Injuries. Mayfield understands this game down cold. Lavonte David on his career exit interview said, and I quote, "Baker had a lot of injuries that you didn't expect a quarterback to play through. He had the oblique injury, he had the shoulder injury, he had a lot of things -- like ankle injury, knee injury -- he had a lot of stuff he was going through. The season's over now, I can talk about it, but he had a lot of stuff that he was going through and he was really trying to push and really trying to be the player that we needed him to be. To be honest, we was doing his thing for the most part."
you would think Evans would have taken that into account. Not a peep out of him.
yeah but how was he over the last 11 games?
"Underrated: Bucs star QB Baker Mayfield has been one of the NFL’s most productive QBs since joining Tampa Bay in 2023. Since joining the Buccaneers: • 2nd in passing TDs (95) • 3rd in passing yards (12,237) Baker is expected to sign a 4-year, ~$214.4M contract extension this offseason."
53.5M per year! when they say this offseason...do they mean 2026 as we approach June?
I agree that he will likely get somewhere in the 50-55M range as other QBs have gotten
and to answer your question, he was garbage over his last 11 games and one of the key contributors to the collapse.
^^^^^
Was Mayfield's poor play the last 7 games due to limitations because of injuries or because of mental errors?
probably a mix of the two
he was injured yet had more rushing yards per game in those "injured" games. Interesting.
Throwing bone headed INTs when should be throwing high percentage throws to set up field goals in Atlanta and Carolina losses? I'd say more mental errors but again, Baker can do no wrong on this message board in 2026! (Disclaimer: I started a baker mayfield appreciation thread back in 2023!)